Germany booked their place in the final of the European Under-21 Championship with a convincing 3-0 victory over France on Wednesday, setting up a tantalizing showdown with defending champions England.
Two early goals put Germany in firm control of the semi-final. In the eighth minute, Paul Nebel’s shot cannoned off the crossbar and Nelson Weiper was on hand to volley in the rebound. Weiper then turned provider just six minutes later, setting up Nick Woltemade, who scored at the second attempt after his initial chipped effort was saved by France goalkeeper Guillaume Restes.
The goal marked Woltemade’s sixth of the tournament, making him the competition’s leading scorer.
France, featuring Tottenham Hotspur forward Mathys Tel, struggled to find a way back into the game. Their best opportunity came from a close-range diving header by Thierno Barry, which was superbly saved by Germany’s goalkeeper Noah Atubolu.
Germany sealed their comprehensive victory in second-half stoppage time when Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Brajan Gruda tapped in a low cross from Paul Wanner.
The result sets up a final between the last two winners of the tournament. Germany, champions in 2021, will face England, the 2023 winners, who defeated the Netherlands 2-1 in their semi-final earlier on Wednesday.
The final, which will take place in Bratislava on Saturday, will be the second meeting between the two nations in this tournament, after Germany defeated England 2-1 in their group stage encounter on June 18. Both countries have won this competition three times. Their most notable final meeting was in 2009, when Germany secured a 4-0 victory.
All eyes will be on Germany’s in-form striker Nick Woltemade, who has enjoyed a successful end to the season after also winning the German Cup with Stuttgart and making his senior Germany debut in the Nations League earlier this month.
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