Germany`s U21 national team is set to compete for their fourth UEFA European Championship title this Saturday in the final against England. Nick Woltemade, the tournament`s leading scorer, is expected to be a key player for the German side.
Germany secured their spot in the final with a convincing 3-0 win over France in the semi-finals. They have maintained a perfect record throughout the tournament, winning all their matches leading up to the championship decider.
Coach Antonio Di Salvo`s team previously defeated England 2-1 during the group stage of the competition. Woltemade was rested for that specific match but is anticipated to lead the attack in the final.
Di Salvo faces no injury concerns, allowing him to select his strongest possible squad for this crucial game. Paul Nebel, Nelson Weiper, and Ansgar Knauff are all projected starters. Brajan Gruda, a former Mainz player now with Brighton & Hove Albion, who scored Germany`s third goal against France, possesses valuable insight into the England team`s strengths and weaknesses.
On the other side, the “Young Lions” reached the final by overcoming the Netherlands with a 2-1 victory. Liverpool`s Harvey Elliott was instrumental, scoring both goals in that encounter. He is the tournament`s second-leading scorer with four goals, trailing only Woltemade.
Other notable performers for Lee Carsley`s squad include Manchester City midfielder and England captain James McAtee, forward Omari Hutchinson, and defender Jarrell Quansah. England has a strong history in this tournament, having won it three times previously (1982, 1984, and the most recent edition in 2023), making them formidable opponents.
Jobe Bellingham, who recently joined Borussia Dortmund and featured in the U21s` last four matches before the tournament, is unavailable as he is playing for his new club at the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA.
Match Facts
- Germany U21s are currently on a 20-match unbeaten streak, with 17 wins and 3 draws.
- Only three players have scored more U21 goals for Germany than Woltemade, who has 13.
- If they feature, Knauff and Eric Martel will be within two appearances of Fabian Ernst`s record for the most U21 caps.
- England`s 2-1 loss to Germany in the group stage was the only time they have conceded more than one goal in their last 11 games.
- Germany has scored at least twice in all five of their matches in the tournament so far.
- This marks Germany`s fourth appearance in the final in the last five editions of the tournament, missing out only in 2023.
Probable Line-ups
Germany: Atubolu – Collins, Rosenfelder, Arrey-Mbi, Brown – Knauff, Martel (c), Reitz, Nebel – Woltemade, Weiper
England: Beadle – Livramento, Cresswell, Quansah, Hinshelwood – Elliott, Scott, Anderson, Hutchinson – McAtee – Stansfield
