Article by Daniel Grigore – published on Sunday, June 29, 2025, 00:33 / Updated Sunday, June 29, 2025 00:40
England He defended his title of European champion at U21 level, winning the final with Germany, score 3-2, at the end of 120 minutes of play.
Qualified arm in the arm of group B, England and Germany faced again, this time in a match of everything or nothing.
In the first part, the speed and technique of the islands on the counterattack proved to be devastating. Lee Carsley's band opened the scoring from the 5th minute. Hutchinson had the 1-0 goal, but Atubolu stretched and blocked the execution. A Neamț defender later rejected uninspired, in the direction of Harvey Elliott. Liverpool's midfielder took over, oriented and sent the ball into the net!
The British played on the occasions in the first 20 minutes. In the 14th minute, Captain Mcatee shot in Cros, but the ball passed a little near the left bar. Only 5 minutes later, Elliott and Mcatee combined on the counterattack. Manchester City's player focused in front of the gate, but Stansfield did not reach the ball!
England is again a European champion U21!
The 2nd goal, which was floating in the air in Bratislava, fell in the 24th minute, also at the end of a counterattack! After a small stuttering on the 16 line, Mcatee served on Hutchinsonwho completed the first, among Atubolu's feet.
The Germans had the ball, but for a good part of the game their possession seemed sterile. Not at the end of the first half, the 45+1 minute, when Weiper relaunched the final. Nebel returned all sides on Stansfield and found in the opponent's box on Nelson Weiperwho scored with his head! 2-1 at the break, but England slightly dizzy by the kick received.
Upon resumption, James Mcatee was close to a sensational goal! The captain of England surpassed an opponent with a slit in the body, advanced to the edge of the opposing box and shot at a slamming bar.
From the servant, Paul Nebel went to the role of finalizer. Mainz's player scored superb in the 61st minute, at the Vincl, being helped by Stansfield's deviation.
With England in retreat, the Germans almost hit the extensions of the second part, except that the same Nebel was blocked by the crossbar!
Thus we arrived in the extensions, where England only needed two minutes to re -enter the advantage. Only-Treture Jonathan Rowe registered his head, from Plonjon, then defended heroically for the European title to remain on the island.
Already-vu for the Germans: again in extensions!
In the final extensions, the 120+1 minute, the Germans lived a already-vu. They hit the transverse again, this time through Rohl, and felt the trophy escaping them between their fingers.
3-2 Final, and England is for the fourth European champion at this age level!
Final »3-2 in the Euro U21 final, England – Germany
- They scored: Elliott '5; Hutchinson '24; Rowe '92 / Weiper '45 +1; Nebel '61
England U21 – Germany U21, starting teams:
England (4-3-3): Beadle – Hinshelwood, Quansah, Cresswell, Livramento – E. Anderson, Mcatee (cpt.), A. Scott – Stansfield, Hutchinson, Elliott
reserves: Simkin, Sharman-Lowe-Edwards, Hackney, Fellows, Rowe, Norton-Cuffy, Gray, Egan -iley, Iling-Kunior, Nweri, Morton
coach: Lee Carsley
Germany (4-3-3): Atubolu – N. Collins, Arrey -Mbi, Omernn, N. Brown – Nebel, Martel (cpt.), Reitz – Weiper, Woltemade, Gruda
reserves: Ernst, Noll – Rosenfelder, Knauff, Rohl, Tresoldi, Thielmann, Ullrich, Siebert, Jander, Baum, Wanner
coach: Antonio di Salvo
England was the team with the most goals scored in the preliminaries, 41, but passed the group phase from the second place, with a single victory in three matches, in the first game against the Czech Republic, 3-1. He also drew with Slovenia (0-0) and lost in front of the opponent tonight (1-2).
Lee Carsley's students increased their level in the eliminatory phases: they defeated Spain by 3-1 in the quarterfinals, and a double of Harvey Elliott brought them 2-1 against the Netherlands in the semifinals.
Until the final, Germany had been undefeated throughout the tournament. Antonio Di Salvo's band passed by groups, with victories against Slovenia (3-0), Czech Republic (4-2) and England (2-1), then eliminated Italy, score 3-2 after extensions, in a spectacular match.
In the semifinals, Germany returned to the dominant form and clearly defeated France 3-0.
Germany gives the goalscorer of the competition, Nick Woltemade, with six successes, one in addition to the main follower, Harvey Elliott.
