Germany put on a dazzling display of attacking prowess and defensive solidity, defeating fierce rivals France 3-0 in a thrilling UEFA European Under-21 Championship semi-final clash. The comprehensive victory at the Košice Football Arena secures Germany’s place in the final, where they will now face defending champions England in a highly anticipated showdown.
Germany’s performance was characterized by a lightning-fast start and clinical finishing, blowing away a highly-rated French side that struggled to cope with the intensity of Antonio Di Salvo’s young Mannschaft.
A First-Half Blitz Sets the Tone
Germany wasted no time asserting their dominance, catching France off guard with an early onslaught.
- 8th Minute – Nelson Weiper opens the scoring: The Mainz forward showcased his predatory instincts, instinctively volleying home after a Paul Nebel effort had been deflected onto the bar by French goalkeeper Guillaume Restes. It was Weiper’s third goal in as many games in the tournament.
- 14th Minute – Nick Woltemade doubles the lead: Just six minutes later, Germany extended their advantage. Nelson Weiper, pressing high, recovered possession and fed the ball to Nick Woltemade. Although Woltemade’s initial shot was smothered by Restes, the VfB Stuttgart striker pounced on the rebound to tap home, netting his sixth goal of the tournament and solidifying his position as the competition’s top scorer.
France, despite boasting a squad brimming with talent, found themselves two goals down within the first quarter of an hour and struggled to recover from Germany’s explosive start.
Defensive Resilience and a Late Clincher
Despite France’s attempts to get back into the game in the second half, Germany’s defense, marshaled by goalkeeper Noah Atubolu, held firm. Atubolu delivered a superb performance, making several crucial saves, including two spectacular stops from close-range headers by substitute Thierno Barry, denying France any route back into the match.
As the game wore on, Germany continued to create chances, looking to put the result beyond doubt. Their persistence paid off in stoppage time.
- 90+3 Minute – Brajan Gruda seals the victory: Brighton’s Brajan Gruda, who came on as a substitute, tapped in Germany’s third goal from a well-timed pass by fellow substitute Paul Wanner. The goal was initially disallowed for offside but was subsequently awarded after a VAR review confirmed Wanner’s perfect timing. This late strike added extra gloss to Germany’s dominant performance and extinguished any lingering French hopes.
France coach Gérald Baticle admitted, “We started badly. We wanted to get into the game and build our system. We tried to play well but made two mistakes. Germany exploited them well. It then became very difficult.”
Road to the Final: Germany’s Impressive Run
Germany’s path to the final has been highly impressive. They breezed through the group stage with a perfect record, securing victories over Slovenia, Czechia, and England. Their quarter-final clash against Italy was a thrilling encounter, where they secured a dramatic 3-2 extra-time win after Italy were reduced to nine men.
This marks Germany’s fourth appearance in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship final in the last five editions, highlighting their consistent excellence at this level (winning in 2017 and 2021, and runners-up in 2019). Their current unbeaten run extends to 20 matches.
Now, Germany prepares for a highly anticipated final against England on Saturday, June 28th, in Bratislava. The two footballing powerhouses have a rich rivalry, and this final promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the tournament.
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