📢 Who will claim the title at the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship? The final showdown is set for Bratislava at the Tehelné pole Stadium, featuring a clash between the two most recent trophy holders. England clinched the title in 2023 without conceding a single goal throughout the tournament, while Germany showcased their prowess in 2021, emerging as Europe's finest. Now, these two dominant youth squads of recent years face off in a decisive encounter—a battle of experience, skill, and immense motivation. The pitch will be graced by dazzling talents ready to take the final step towards glory. The final promises to be the highlight of the tournament and a remarkable chapter in the history of youth football.

Head-to-Head

📊 The England and Germany youth teams face off quite frequently, even within the current UEFA European Under-21 Championship. They already clashed in the final round of the group stage, where Germany edged out a 2-1 victory. Notably, Germany fielded almost their second-string lineup—Nick Woltemade, who contributed significantly in every other match of the tournament, didn't even make an appearance. Meanwhile, England played with what was essentially their first-choice squad.

England U21 Team Overview

⚪ England's U21 team didn't have the best run in the group stage of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, securing just 4 out of a possible 9 points. However, that was enough to clinch second place and advance to the playoffs. One of their losses came at the hands of Germany (1-2). But in the knockout stage, England transformed and showcased their true potential. In the quarterfinals, they surprised many by defeating a stronger Spain side 3-1, and in the semifinals, they edged out the Netherlands 2-1. It's worth noting that the clash with the Dutch was entirely different—England took the initiative, controlled the match, and barely allowed their opponents any chances (the Dutch xG was just 0.18). Despite the challenge, the decisive goal came in the 86th minute. Now, England are determined to avenge their group stage loss and claim the title.

⭐️ The standout star of the evening was Harvey Elliott. The Liverpool midfielder seemed to have learned well from Arne Slot's lessons, as he bagged a brace in the semifinal. Overall, this tournament has been fantastic for Elliott, who has already scored 4 goals. Only Nick Woltemade from Germany has more, with 6 goals to his name.

Germany U21 Team Overview

⚫ Germany reaching the final of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship comes as no surprise. The team arrived with a formidable squad, with most players not only featuring in Bundesliga clubs but also playing pivotal roles within their teams. This high caliber of players has been evident throughout the tournament—Germany have won all their matches, often securing victories with remarkable ease. This was the case in the semifinals as well, where they delivered a convincing performance against France, thrashing them 3-0, even though bookmakers didn't single out a clear favorite in this matchup. This emphatic win will only bolster the team's morale and confidence ahead of the decisive match.

⭐️ Undoubtedly, the standout star for Germany is Nick Woltemade. He has made a decisive impact in every match he has played. With 9 points in the goal and assist system (6 goals and 3 assists) across 4 games, he is a strong contender for the tournament's best player award.

Latest news

England U21

📣 Ahead of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship final, England's head coach Lee Carsley emphasized his team's confidence and focus for the decisive match: "We have so much quality in our squad. But even more important is that this team believes in themselves and is ready to take that final step—often the hardest one. I'm incredibly proud of the lads and hope everyone has enjoyed watching us in this tournament." Midfielder Harvey Elliott, meanwhile, highlighted the importance of mental resilience before the final: "The moment we start fearing is when things go wrong. I feel we can beat any team, and we approach every match with a winning mindset because we have great players and a united group. Emotionally and psychologically, this is one of the most thrilling moments of my career—reaching another final. It's just an incredible feeling."

🚫 Midfielder and semi-final brace scorer Harvey Elliott celebrated a goal unsuccessfully and injured his knee, putting his participation in the final against Germany in doubt.

Germany U21

📣 After their semi-final victory over France and securing a spot in the final of the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, Germany's head coach Antonio Di Salvo couldn't hide his satisfaction with the result. The coach highlighted that his team achieved a crucial objective: "Our main goal was to reach Bratislava and make it to the final—and we did it in great style. We scored two quick goals and then successfully navigated several challenging phases against a very strong French side." Forward Nick Woltemade expressed immense joy with the result and confidence in his teammates ahead of the final: "I'm incredibly pleased with how we played today. Now there's just one step left—the final. I'm very excited as it's our last game in the tournament. With this team, we have every chance." Captain Eric Martel also emphasized the strength and balance of the squad: "Honestly, we didn't expect to take the lead so early, but the team played excellently in defense and created many opportunities. This shows our strength—we can both attack and defend."

🚫 Defender Maximilian Rosenfelder sustained a muscle injury in the semi-final match against France and will definitely miss the final.