Under-21 team progresses to last eight stage.
Title: Shoe Flying, Goals Roaring: U21 Scores Again, Advances in Quarters
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Another electrifying performance by the German U21 squad: The youthful Germans secure a thrilling 4-2 win against the Czech Republic, earning a spot in the EM quarterfinals following just two games. Nick Woltemade, shining bright, took a substantial role.
Woltemade netted one and set up two, pushing the German U21 team into an early quarterfinals berth. The team helmed by Antonio Di Salvo convincingly bested the Czech Republic, heightening title aspirations. The marquee match against defending European champions England is next, with only the group victory at stake.
New national team member Woltemade scored his fourth goal in the second EM match, nestling the ball in at the 54th minute. Other goals were blasted by Nicolo Tresoldi (34') of Hannover 96, the dynamic Paul Nebel (41') of Mainz 05, and captain Eric Martel (59') of 1. FC Köln in Dunajska Streda, Slovakia. This is the first time since 2019 that a German U21 team has started an EM with two victories.
However, the game quickened its pulse after the 4-0 lead. First, Bright Arrey-Mbi scored an own goal (61'), then Karel Spacil (66') gave the 6,000 energetic Czech fans a glimmer of hope.
Pigeon, Pigeon, Wherefore Art Thou, Pigeon?
Stuttgart striker Woltemade started as a floating attacker, with Di Salvo keeping the starting lineup unchanged from the 3-0 win against Slovenia. Despite monopolizing the field, the German team initially struggled to crack the code, with DFB President Bernd Neuendorf, Director of Sport Rudi Völler, and DFB CEO Andreas Rettig watching with bated breath.
Two curious moments gracefully interrupted the game: First, a furry feathered friend, rather uncooperatively perched on the field, needed removal during a halt, then Woltemade lost a loose shoe and accidentally kicked the referee in the chest with it from just five meters away.
The German team faced real danger when Patrik Vydra forced goalkeeper Noah Atubolu (SC Freiburg) into an inspired save (32') before eventually breaking through. Pharrel Nnamdi Collins of Eintracht Frankfurt passed the ball to the goal, where Tresoldi was triumphantly waiting. Soon after, Woltemade beautifully set up Nebel with a pass during the game's best attack.
From thereon, all was smooth sailing: Just before halftime, Brajan Gruda (45.+1) hit the post, and after the break, the Germans pressed forward. Woltemade scored his second goal with a powerful header from Rocco Reitz's cross, then set up Martel for the 4-0 advantage with a bit of luck. Arrey-Mbi then inadvertently offered the Czechs the opportunity to mount a comeback.
Source: ntv.de, dbe/sid
- German U21 Elite
- Czech Republic
- UEFA European U21 Championship
- The community policy should address the unusual incidents, such as the pigeon on the field and the loose shoe, during the German U21 team's matches to ensure fair play and maintain sportsmanship during the UEFA European U21 Championship.
- Vocational training programs could be beneficial for young athletes, like Nick Woltemade, who combined his football skills with a successful career in vocational training at Stuttgart, as they can balance athletic pursuits with professional development.
