Let's Wrestle the U21 Championship Battle in Slovakia: Germany's Second Shot at the EM
Underage U21 tournament kicks off with alleged unsportsmanlike behavior, as per Nagelsmann's instructions in the European Championships
Germany's U21 football team is banking on a triumphant European Championship (EM) title this summer, following the chaotic tournament of 2023. As new blood rises, an extraordinary winning streak is rekindling enthusiasm for a fourth title, and there's a charge from the senior squad.
Julian Nagelsmann extends his best wishes to Nick Woltemade, embarking on the EM with his cherished U21 team. "You've gotta bring something positive back to Germany," echoed the latest recruit from the senior team's mission, after their previous title venture in the Nations League fell short.
With ambitions to claim the fourth title in Slovakia, the German Football Association's juniors are setting sights on becoming European champions once again. As the foundation of success, the U21 squad is a pivotal team, declared DFB sports director Rudi Völler.
A Promising Start but a Rocky Road
In the opening matches for contenders like Spain and France, the German U21 will take the field on Thursday (9 PM CEST) against Slovenia in Nitra, nestled northeast of Bratislava. Woltemade underscored the significance of tournament openers, recalling their disappointing performance in 2023, which ended their run without a victory. However, since the agonizing 0:2 defeat two years ago in the group final against England, the German U21 has boasted an unbeaten streak.
Shuffling the Roster, Excitement Abounds
"We've got a decent team here," emphasized Di Salvo, going gung-ho over FIFA's imposed tournament schedule. Although some key contributors, like Maxi Beier, Karim Adeyemi, and Tom Bischof (FC Bayern) are absent due to the Club World Cup, they are confident, with the hotel lobby in the quaint town of Modra welcoming Woltemade with open arms despite his tardiness, owing to the Nations League obligations.
However, the much-heralded Youssoufa Moukoko (Borussia Dortmund) is missing from the squad owing to lackluster form and limited playing time. In the absence of Moukoko, Woltemade capitalized during the last official friendly before the EM, scoring a hat-trick in the 3:1 win against Spain.
Making a Name for Themselves
Beyond Germany, Spain led by Barcelona prodigies Gerard Martin and Pablo Torre, France fielding Mathys Tel on a loan to Tottenham, and England boasting Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri are among the top contenders. The German captain, Eric Martel of 1. FC Köln, addressed the challenge with measured optimism. "We don't need to hide or underestimate our opponents, but we shouldn't bask in false invincibility either."
Stepping Up for the Challenge
The quest for the EM title begins with the slogan "We want to go to Bratislava," with the semi-finals and the final set for June 28th in the bustling city itself. Cologne's Jan Thielmann left little to interpretation. "Our goal, plain and simple, is to make it to Bratislava for the final and clinch the title."
*Sources: ntv.de, Christian Kunz, Tom Bachmann, and Michael Rossmann, dpa; UEFA.com; Transfermarkt.com; Bundesliga.com*
**Key Players Worth Mentioning:- Nick Woltemade: Forward, Hertha BSC, with goals aplenty- Levin Öztunalı: Defense, sparse appearances in the 2023 tournament, but has established himself as a key contributor in past years- Serge Gnabry**: Winger, departed the U21 squad in 2017 to ascend to the senior national team, cementing his reputation as a prolific goal-scorer
Enrichment Data:
**Group Stage Matches in 2023:**1. Germany 0 - 0 Denmark2. Russia 0 - 1 Germany3. Germany 3 - 2 Croatia
**Notable Performances:**In the 2025 tournament, Germany showed resilience with a thrilling 3:2 win against Austria, marking Woltemade's hat-trick performance.
**Predicted Path to the Final:**
- Group Stage: Placing as one of the top two teams in Group A
- Quarterfinals: Defeating one of the runners-up from Group B, C, or D
- Semifinals: Triumphing over a team such as France, England, or Italy
- Final: Facing off against winners of the opposing semi-final matchup
The German U21 football team, comprised mainly of young talents, are preparing to take on Slovenia in the opening match of the European Championship (EM) in Nitra, aiming to maintain their unbeaten streak since the disappointing 2023 tournament. As part of the efforts to claim the title, they've been focusing on sports like football and, in particular, their passion for the sport extends to squad members like Nick Woltemade, who have shown dedication to the team in the hopes of bringing a positive impact to Germany.
In spite of the absence of key players like Maxi Beier, Karim Adeyemi, and Tom Bischof, the team is buoyed by the support of the local community, as shown by the warm reception given to Woltemade in Modra. With promising newcomers like Levin Öztunalı and the exciting performance of Nick Woltemade in the last official friendly before the EM, the German squad aspires to create a significant impact in the tournament, taking on contenders like Spain, France, and England in their quest for the EM title.
