Under-21 squad progresses to last eight stages
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Germany's Under-21 squad delivers an unstoppable display against the Czech Republic, advancing to the quarterfinals after merely two matches. Nick Woltemade, a force to reckon with, sparks excitement in the match.
Woltemade scores a goal and provides two assists, propelling Germany's Under-21 team to a breathtaking 4:2 (2:0) victory over Czech Republic. This triumph solidifies their aspirations to claim the title, facing the challenging duel against the reigning European champion England in the next battle for the group win.
Newcomer Woltemade (54.) adds his fourth goal in the tournament, heading the ball in during the second match of the tournament. Other goals were scored by Nicolo Tresoldi (34.) of Hannover 96, the captivating Paul Nebel (41./Mainz 05), and captain Eric Martel (59.) of 1. FC Köln in Dunajska Streda, Slovakia. This is the first time since 2019 that Germany's Under-21 team has started an EM with two wins.
However, things took an unexpected turn when Germany extended their lead to 4:0. First, Bright Arrey-Mbi scored an own goal (61.), followed by Karel Spacil (66.) giving the vocal 6000 Czech fans a glimmer of hope.
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Striker Woltemade started the game as a lone forward after scoring three consecutive goals, and coach Di Salvo kept the starting lineup unchanged from their 3:0 win against Slovenia. With DFB President Bernd Neuendorf, Director of Sport Rudi Völler, and DFB CEO Andreas Rettig present, Germany faced difficulties despite dominating the field.
The match took a strange turn twice: first, a pigeon perched on the field disrupted play during a break, and later, Woltemade lost his shoe and clobbered the referee with it from a mere five meters away.
Germany faced potential danger when Patrik Vydra forced goalkeeper Noah Atubolu (SC Freiburg) to deliver an outstanding save (32.). However, Germany quickly capitalized. Pharrel Nnamdi Collins of Eintracht Frankfurt passed the ball to the goal, where Tresoldi was poised. Soon after, Woltemade provided the perfect pass to set up Nebel during the game's best attack.
The game proceeded smoothly from there: Just before halftime, Brajan Gruda (45.+1) hit the post, and after the break, things continued smoothly. Woltemade scored first from a cross by Rocco Reitz, then he set up Martel with a bit of luck for the 4:0 goal. However, Arrey-Mbi inadvertently opened the door for a comeback by the Czechs.
Source: ntv.de, dbe/sid
- DFB Youth
- Football National Team
- Czech Republic
About Nick Woltemade:
A towering figure at 6'6", Nick Woltemade, born on February 14, 2002, in Bremen, is a 23-year-old German footballer who plays as a forward for VfB Stuttgart. His impressive skills and contributions to both club and national teams have drawn widespread attention[1].
Background and Club Career:
Kicking off his career at TS Woltmershausen, a local club in Bremen, Woltemade caught the eye of Werder Bremen scouts. He swiftly climbed the ranks and made history by becoming Werder Bremen's youngest-ever senior debutant at the age of 17[1]. After refining his skills at Werder, Woltemade transferred to VfB Stuttgart, where he continues to shine.
Impact in Germany's Under-21 National Football Team:
Playing a crucial role for Germany's Under-21 national team, Woltemade has earned 14 caps and scored 10 goals. His performances have played a significant role in the team's success, particularly in the UEFA U21 Euros, where he has been a major contributor[1][3].
Recent Achievements:
In the 2024/2025 season, Woltemade recorded significant achievements by contributor to 33 goals and assists, demonstrating his skill and adaptability on the field[2]. His latest involvement in both the UEFA Nations League finals and the U21 Euros further emphasizes his importance to German football[1].
Community policy should include regulations for the appropriate handling of unexpected situations during sports events, such as when a pigeon wandered onto the field during Germany's match against the Czech Republic. Vocational training programs could benefit from incorporating vocational training in multitasking, as demonstrated by Nick Woltemade, who scored a goal and provided two assists while simultaneously dealing with a flying shoe and a pigeon during the same match.
