UEFA European Football Championship: Di Salvo's Masterstroke
Underage Team U21 secures victory post-mass substitution, moves onto quarter-finals vs. Italy
Nitra (dpa) - Following their victorious streak, the exultant German U21 players relish the thought of the Euro quarter-finals against Italy as group winners. With the tournament sensation Nick Woltemade out and rotation in order, the German Football Association's selection toppled defending champions England 2:1 (2:0) in the group final. Frankfurt's Ansgar Knauff (3rd minute) and Mainz's Nelson Weiper (33rd) flashed photographic smiles as Woltemade and company looked on from the sidelines. England's Alex Scott's goal (76th) briefly dampened the joy.
"We've demonstrated that we have strong bench depth, which speaks volumes about the team's overall quality. Everybody is ready, and we've shown that today," said Knauff on Sat.1 and added: "Now, we're aiming for the semis too." He was modest about his goal: "I'm just glad I could help the team today."
Coach Di Salvo Explains the Wholesale Swap
Two years ago at the 2023 Euros, Germany's U21 lamented a defeat against England with a 0:2 loss. This time, in the 13th European Championship duel in front of 5,624 spectators in Nitra, Germany notched their third win.
Coach Antonio Di Salvo reshuffled the entire starting line-up after securing quarter-final passage. "Initially, I planned to maintain a core group on the pitch. But after listening to the players' concerns about playing every three days being brutally tough, it changed. Then one choreography piece leads to the next," the 46-year-old explained.
Reserve Players In Full Display
However, it wasn't a B-team! The back-bench players of Germany's victories against Slovenia (3:0) and the Czech Republic (4:2) took their spots for an opportunity to break into the starting lineup for the quarter-final showdown with Italy, who are joint record European champions with Spain.
Neither the unexpected crew changes nor the temporary failure of the floodlights towards the end of the first half threw the German team off course on their path to a perfect group stage with three wins in three games. Against England, who could have disqualified if they lost by a substantial margin, Germany opened with a dream beginning.
A Dream Start for the German Team
After some relentless pressing, the ball found Lukas Ullrich. The Mönchengladbach left-back showcased great composure, delivering a perfect cross to Knauff. In his 27th U21 international, the Frankfurt Champions League player scored his fourth goal. Di Salvo let out a joyful yell - and could continue to be pleased with his team.
England was repeatedly thwarted by the German team, which was highly alert and aggressive in tackles, much like in their earlier matches against Slovenia and the Czech Republic. Jonathan Rowe's shot at the far post of the goal guarded by Tjark Ernst instead of the injured Noah Atubolu was England's biggest chance before the break (21st). Germany was more astute. A cross from Knauff was nodded in by Weiper, despite being pressed by two defenders, for 2:0.
England Pushes Back in the Second Half
England responded to the break with three substitutions. The defending champions, led by Arsenal striker Ethan Nwaneri, whose market value is estimated at 55 million euros, started more aggressively and dynamically than in the first half. The English exerted enormous pressure and became dangerous late. However, a comeback like the English U19 team's 5:5 draw after a 1:5 deficit against Germany the day before did not materialize.
The English faced Spain in the quarter-finals, who, like Italy, have won the title in this age group five times. "We've definitely shown good performances. No team likes to go up against us," Di Salvo said before the England match. After the reserves' victory against the likely toughest group opponent, this is even truer.
[1] Source: UEFA EURO Under-21 Championship 2025 (Group Stage)
"Despite the changes in the starting line-up, the German U21 team has displayed an impressive performance throughout the group stage, with every player ready to contribute. In the next round against Italy, we'll field a combination of our regulars and reserve players, aiming to maintain our solid form and challenge the joint record European champions."
"Coach Di Salvo's tactical decision to bring in the reserve players paid off, as they shone brightly in the match against England. With Italy and Spain, the toughest opponents, in the quarter-finals, we're confident that our versatile squad can keep up the momentum and continue to deliver strong performances."
