U21 FINAL PLAYER RATINGS | England 2-2 Germany (3-2 AET)

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For the second time this tournament, Germany will face off with England, this time in the final of the under-21 Euros, the game also sees the two previous winners of the competition match up. 

In the previous matchup, Germany heavily rotated their squad and still came away winners in the final group game to secure top spot. After a tough game against Italy in the quarter-finals, Germany showcased their quality as they blew away France in the semi-finals. 

Germany started the final in the worst way possible, and the best way to describe it is that England did to them what they did to France in the semi-final.

The defending champions would open the scoring in the sixth minute through Harvey Elliott, then in the 25th minute, Omari Hutchinson would make it 2-0. Both goals came from very similar scenarios where Germany’s defence was caught lacking, and a mix-up would allow England to get a shot off. The Frankfurt duo of Nnamdi Collins and Nathanial Brown at full-back would usually push too high up, and this would leave the centre-backs isolated. 

Things could have gotten worse for Germany if it were not for Noah Atubolu, who made a good save just before half-time. Then, against the run of play, Germany would give themselves a lifeline heading into the second half when Nelson Weiper headed in to make it four goals in four games. 

The second 45 saw Germany come out a completly different side and were a lot more proactive in attack, creating more chances and their equaliser came in the 61st minute when a corner from Rocco Reitz missed everyone but landed at the feet of Paul Nebel, who curled the ball into the far corner to make it 2-2. From then on, the game was very even with both teams having equal possesion of the ball and even chances. Nebel was the livewire for Germany’s attacks. As the game edged to extra time, Nebel had the best chance to win it in normal time when a driving run from Reitz again saw the ball bounce into the direction of the Mainz midfielder, whose effort hit the cross bar. 

In a mirror of the first half, Germany would again concede early in the first half when a cross from Tyler Morton is met by the head of Jonathan Rowe. For the rest of extra-time, Germany pushed for the equaliser but it never came with Merlin Röhl hitting the crossbar right at the depth (yes, like in normal time)

Germany end up coming short and lose their first game in two years. 

However, the overall performance as a whole justified the result. Too many times, espcially in the first half, individual errors cost them. On top of this, not enough players stepped up when it mattered. Only Nebel and Reitz were the most consistent of the team. Most notably, the man of the moment, Nick Woltemade was rather absent for the majority of the game. Which makes you think, who ever decided to look leak the Bayern Munich news has made a terrible error as it added even more pressure. Who knows, this may have been a more to try and reduce the asking price.  

Several of these players should now make the step up to the senior squad in the next year, as they are too old for the U21s now. Reitz, Woltemade and Atubolu all have the quality to make the step up, while there is plently of quality in the age groups below who will be promoted to this level. 

Germany U21:

Noah Atubolu (6), Nmandi Collins (5), Tim Oermann (6), Bright Arrey-Mbi (6), Nathanial Brown (5), Eric Martel (5), Rocco Reitz (7), Brajan Gruda (5), Paul Nebel (8), Nick Woltemade (5), Nelson Weiper (7)

Others: Ansgar Knauff (6), Merlin Röhl (5), Lukas Ullrich (5), Nicolo Tresoldi (-), Paul Wanner (-)

GGFN MOTM: Paul Nebel (8)

When Germany needed someone to step up and carry their attack, the Mainz midfielder did that. For much of the came all creativity and ideas came from the 22 year old. His cross proveded the life line that Germany needed, then he wonder strike brought them back into the game. In another world, the Mainzer also scores the winner. 

For regular Bundesliga viewers, Nebel has impressed this season in his first season in the top flight and has carried that form into this summer. With the likely departure of Jonathan Burkardt, Nebel could use the opportunity to step up and become the key player in the 05ers attack next season. 

Nebel’s international future will also be up in the air in the immediate future as there is a lot of quality in his position and he is also eligble for Ireland. 

GGFN | Jack Meenan