News (engl.)

“Our preparations have been largely successful,” analysed a very satisfied Germany head coach Antonio Di Salvo. From 26th May to 4th June in Weimarer Land, the U21 national team carried out their work in getting ready for the European Championship, which is to be contested between 11th and 28th June in Slovakia.

“The conditions were great, and the squad trained with great application and concentration,” reported Di Salvo. “The balance of free time and focused work functioned well, and we head to Slovakia on Sunday full of anticipation.”

Di Salvo and his coaching staff had up until 23:59 CEST on 4th June to submit their final 23-strong squad to UEFA, cut down from the 26 players called up preliminarily. “It was a really tough decision because every player performed very well and utilised the opportunity to show what they can do during preparations,” explained the Germany coach. “Ultimately, personal impressions, position-related requirements and injuries were the deciding factors.”

Schenk and Scherhant miss out

Since Nick Woltemade will link up with the U21 side once again after his stint with the senior national team at the UEFA Nations League final four stage, the squad had to be reduced by one goalkeeper and one outfield player.

“The decision in the goalkeeping department was made for us,” reported the head coach. “Jonas Schenk injured his hand towards the end of the training camp and requires a break, so that made it clear that Nahuel Noll would be the one to travel with us. Both new players gave a good account of themselves over the past 10 days and have integrated really well into the team set-up. I wish Johannes a speedy recovery.” Number one keeper Noah Atubolu and his deputy Tjark Ernst complete the trio under the guidance of goalkeeping coach Klaus Thomforde.

“With regard to the outfield players, it was a really tough decision,” told Antonio Di Salvo. “We had to take heed of the fact that two of our defenders have slight knocks and with another attacker in Nick Woltemade being added to the mix, we decided to cut one of the forwards. Namely, that was Derry Scherhant, who presented himself well in preparations, as well as during the March internationals. However, we can unfortunately only take 23 players. Derry remains on standby for the EUROs and will continue to work with us during the friendly against Finland.”

Final friendly against Finland

The last friendly match before the European U21 Championship will take place today at the DFB Campus against fellow EUROs participants Finland. Di Salvo declared: “In the important final friendly with Finland, we want to grant everyone playing time under competitive conditions. We travel to the European Championship with a strong squad and will be aiming to reach Bratislava with intent.”

On 8th June, the U21s will then travel to Slovakia, to their team base camp in Modra. On 12th June (21:00 CEST), Slovenia will mark the first opponents of the tournament in Nitra. Czechia represent the next challenge in Dunajska Streda on 15th June (21:00 CEST), before England await in the final group stage match on 18th June (21:00 CEST) in Nitra. All first and second-placed teams in the four European Championship groups qualify for the quarter-finals. The final will take place on 28th June in Bratislava.

The squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Noah Atubolu (SC Freiburg), Tjark Ernst (Hertha BSC), Nahuel Noll (Greuther Fürth)

Defenders: Bright Arrey-Mbi (Braga), Elias Baum (SV Elversberg), Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt), Nnamdi Collins (Eintracht Frankfurt), Finn Jeltsch (VfB Stuttgart), Tim Oermann (VfL Bochum), Max Rosenfelder (SC Freiburg), Jamil Siebert (Fortuna Düsseldorf), Lukas Ullrich (Borussia Mönchengladbach)

Midfielders/Attackers: Brajan Gruda (Brighton), Caspar Jander (1. FC Nürnberg), Ansgar Knauff (Eintracht Frankfurt), Eric Martel (1. FC Köln), Paul Nebel (1. FSV Mainz 05), Rocco Reitz (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Merlin Röhl (SC Freiburg), Jan Thielmann (1. FC Köln), Paul Wanner (1. FC Heidenheim), Nicolo Tresoldi (Hannover 96), Nelson Weiper (1. FSV Mainz 05), Nick Woltemade (VfB Stuttgart)