Heartache for Germany as England win UEFA U21 Euro final

Germany fought back from 2-0 down to take the UEFA U21 European Championship final to extra time on Saturday, but ultimately lost out 3-2 against England.

England 3-2 Germany
Goals: 1-0 Elliott (5’), 2-0 Hutchinson (25’), 2-1 Weiper (45’+1), 2-2 Nebel (61'), 3-2 Rowe (92')

 Having won all of their matches at their tournament on the way to the final, Germany were dealt an unfamiliar blow after just five minutes when England took an early lead.

 Omari Hutchinson sprinted behind the defence, and although Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu did well to block his shot, Nnamdi Collins inadvertently poked the ball straight to Harvey Elliott as he attempted a clearance. The Liverpool midfielder was left with a simple finish from close range for his fifth goal of the finals.

Harvey Elliott celebrates scoring the first goal of the game for England. - Christian Bruna

James McAtee drilled an inviting ball across the six-yard box that evaded all of his teammates moments later, and the Manchester City midfielder was involved with his team’s next chance as well, delivering a teasing cross that was just too strong for Jay Stansfield at the back post.

Nick Woltemade flashed a header wide following a free-kick as Germany served a reminder of their goal threat, but it was England who struck again when McAtee flicked a pass to his left for Hutchinson to fizz a low drive into the net.

Germany had been second best for most of the half but gave themselves a lifeline just before the interval when Nelson Weiper headed in Paul Nebel’s looping cross from the left.

Nelson Weiper gave Germany hope of a comeback on the stroke of half-time with this fine header. - Christian Bruna

About the players

11

Nick

Woltemade

VfB Stuttgart

McAtee could have delivered the knockout blow early in the second half with a fine dribble that ended with his left-footed shot bobbling just wide of the post. The Young Lions would come to rue that miss as Germany grew into the game and equalised via Nebel’s deflected shot at the back post following a corner.

Momentum appeared to be with Germany at that point but England seized control again and should have regained the lead when substitute Brooke Norton-Cuffy ghosted into the box unmarked but could only scuff his shot straight at Atubolu.

Nebel arrowed a long-range shot just wide in response and then thundered an effort off the crossbar in stoppage time as Germany sought a winner a vain, sending the game into extra time.

Jonathan Rowe came off the bench for England at the start of extra time and had an instant impact, steering a glancing diving header in at the back post for what proved to be the game-winning goal.

Germany tried to level matters and hit the crossbar again through Merlin Röhl in second-half stoppage time but in the end the Young Lions held on for victory. 

Jonathan Rowe celebrates his extra-time winner for England. - Christian Bruna

Match facts

• Woltemade finished the tournament as the most dangerous attacker, with six goals and three assists.
• Weiper (four goals) and Nebel (two goals, two assists) also contributed heavily going forward.
• Germany scored at least twice in all six games at this tournament.
• This was a first defeat in 21 fixtures for Germany's U21s, previously winning 17 and drawing three.
• This was Germany's fourth final in the past five editions, only missing out in 2023.

Teams

England: Beadle - Livramento, Cresswell, Quansah, Hinshelwood - Elliott (Rowe 91'), Scott (Morton 44'), Anderson (Egan-Riley 98'), Hutchinson (Iling-Junior 98') - McAtee (c) (Nwaneri 91') - Stansfield (Norton-Cuffy 62')
Unused subs: Simkin, Sharman-Lowe, Edwards, Hackney, Fellows, Gray
Out: - 
Coach: Lee Carsley

Germany: Atubolu - Collins, Arrey-Mbi, Oermann (Wanner 106'), Brown (Ullrich 86') - Nebel, Martel (c) (Tresoldi 98'), Reitz - Gruda (Knauff 73'), Woltemade, Weiper (Röhl 80')
Unused subs: Ernst, Noll, Rosenfelder, Thielmann, Siebert, Jander, Baum
Out: -
Coach: Antonio Di Salvo

As it happened!

3 - 2

(2 - 1)

England

FINAL

Germany

UEFA European Championship
Final Final National Football Stadium, Bratislava, Slovakia

Rudi Völler: "They played an outstanding tournament"

"It's brutal when you can't take that final step towards the title in the final. Especially against an opponent you already beat in the group stage. I feel very sorry for Toni Di Salvo and his boys, who nevertheless played an outstanding tournament. Toni managed to put together a real team that is not only highly talented, but also plays with a lot of heart."

© Stuart Franklin

Julian Nagelsmann: "I really enjoyed their attacking football"

"It's a huge shame for Toni Di Salvo and his U21s that they couldn't reward themselves for a fantastic tournament with the title. This inspiring team truly deserved it. It was great fun following their journey through the tournament. I really enjoyed their courageous, attacking, passionate football."

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Memmler

Antonio Di Salvo: ""The football gods weren't on our side today"

The Germany U21 boss rued his side's bad luck, after they hit the woodwork twice late on, but reiterated how proud he was of the team: "I'm incredibly proud, I'm a proud coach of a great U21 team. Unfortunately, that little bit of luck wasn't on our side today. The football gods weren't on our side" he said.

© IMAGO/BEAUTIFUL SPORTS/Meusel

Full-time: England 3-2 Germany

That's that for Germany and Di Salvo. Carsley's Three Lions get their revenge for the group stage defeat with a stellar showing in the final. Germany toiled hard and found their way back into the game but Rowe's third in extra-time gave England an edge that Germany just couldn't find their way past. Their journey ends here in second place against England in Bratislava. Thanks for joining us!

© Christian Bruna

120'

Röhl hits the post!

Another strike from Germany hits the post late in the game! This time it's Röhl who has a BIG chance to get an equaliser after Nebel hit the post earlier in the game. The Freiburg midfielder hits it will with his laces but can only hit Beadle's post who is beaten completely..

118'

Reitz so close!

There is a glimmer of a chance for the Germany captain as he wriggles his way into the England box and his shot deceives everyone but flies past the near post, still 3-2 to England...

116'

England defending with all they've got

Germany are throwing in cross after cross but England's defenders are heading it all away. Can they find a way here?

115'

Yellow card

James Beadle

114'

Final five minutes

Germany continue to give it their all in search of the equaliser but England are remaining resolute. They only need to hold on for five more minutes...

112'

Yellow card

Samuel Illing-Junior

111'

England locking it down..

Three Germany crosses and three England blocks to match. Carsley's side are really locking it down in their box as Beadle collects the latest cross from Nebel.

109'

One chance is all it takes...

And Germany are seemingly doing their absolute best to find it. Ullrich, Nebel and Knauff are the usual crossing suspects trying to find the heads of Tresoldi and Woltemade in the box but so far, they remain unsuccessful.

106'

Germany are really going for it

Looks as though Di Salvo is happy with just one centre back as Wanner comes on for Oermann... every potential attacking threat is on the pitch now for Germany..

Kick-off!

105'

+ 3

Substitution

Paul Wanner

Tim Oermann

105'

+ 2

ET half-time: England 3-2 Germany

Just 15 minutes to go now. Tired legs and fatigue starting to show in both camps but England take the lead into the second half and it may now be theirs to lose...

Half-time

105'

+ 1

Reitz wide...

The now Germany captain finds space in the box after turning well past pressure from Livramento, but the shot is not aimed well enough to test Beadle. We are second away from the end of the first half of extra time.

105'

Into the mixer..

That seems to be the ploy from Germany, who are trying to use Ullrich and Nebel or Knauff on either flank to find targets in the box, England attempting to close down every chance they get.

102'

Sustained spell of pressure and possession

Germanny now seeing more of the ball once again, Reitz the deepest midfielder and orchestrating play from the centre of the park. Can they find the equaliser they so desire?

98'

Substitution

Samuel Iling-Junior

Omari Hutchinson

98'

Martel and Anderson off

Two midfielders who have been pivotal to the fortunes of their teams thus far have been taken off, both Di Salvo and Carsley are really going for it here.

97'

Substitution

CJ Egan-Riley

Elliott Anderson

97'

Substitution

Nicolò Tresoldi

Eric Martel

96'

Dangerous from Nebel!

A cross from Nebel on the left nearly finds the inverting run from Knauff in the England box, but the cross is well dealt with by the England defence.

95'

England have found their confidence again..

And it is starting to show. They are quicker to the second ball and sharper with their movements Rowe's goal. Germany second best to everything.

93'

Knauff not enough

A scuffed shot from outside the area by the Frankfurt man fails to test the England keeper, Germany are going to need a lot more composure if they want to find their way to another equaliser in this one..

92'

England Rowe back into the lead!

It's his first touch of the game and what an important touch it is! A diving header from the Marseille man to throw Carsley's side into the lead again! It's his third goal in the last nine matches.

91'

Jonathan Rowe

GOAL!

3:2

90'

+ 6

Substitution

Jonathan Rowe

Harvey Elliott

90'

+ 6

Substitution

Ethan Nwaneri

James McAtee

We head into extra-time

The game remains level after late drama for Germany and we go into extra-time in Bratislava...

© Christian Bruna

End of second half

90'

+ 3

NEBEL HITS THE POST!

How close was that? That was THE moment for the Mainz man, Reitz did ever so well to retain possession in the face of tackle after tackle from England defenders but the loose ball is then struck hard and true from Nebel and utlimately hits the post!

90'

Added time

Four minutes has been signalled by the fourth official. Is there enough time now for a decider?

88'

Germany increasing the intensity

Two mistakes back-to-back from England as Germany are turning up the heat in their pressing up front, if there is a moment to win a final, it may as well be in the final five minutes. The next goal almost certainly seals this affair.

86'

Change on the left

It's like for like from Di Salvo as an injury for Brown forces him to make a change. Gladbach's Ullrich is called upon.

85'

Substitution

Lukas Ullrich

Nathaniel Brown

83'

Brown is down

The Frankfurt man looks worried and has sat down as the players step off the pitch for another drinks break.

82'

Morton shoots over!

England play it patiently around a well-structured Germany block around the edge of the box, but the substitute Morton fizzes his shot high and far above Atubolu's goal.

81'

England Norton-Scuff the chance!

What a chance it was! Norton-Cuffy is found at the edge of the area, who scuffs his shot straight at Atubolu, who saves confidently and comfortably. That was England's best chance of the second half. The youngster has certainly Norton-Scuffed it....

80'

Magic Merlin?

Di Salvo bringing on another crafty player in Merlin Röhl, he will hope the Freiburg man can add fresh legs and the spark alongside Knauff, to complete a comeback...

80'

Substitution

Merlin Röhl

Nelson Weiper

77'

Extra-time incoming?

As we enter the final period of the 90, England are getting back into it, but Germany also looking threatening on the break. This could go the length...

75'

Hutchinson dangerous again..

It's the England number 11 who is proving most dangerous for Carsley's side. Arrey-Mbi's intervention clears his latest cutback attempt into the penalty area.

73'

Can Knauff be the difference?

The Frankfurt winger scored and assisted in Germany's win in the group stages against England, could he be the key once again?

72'

Substitution

Ansgar Knauff

Brajan Gruda

69'

Nervy moments...

A tricky ball from Anderson into the German penalty area is not cleanly dealt with by six or seven German shirts, and England are looking more and more confident with the amount of the ball they are seeing in Germany's defensive third.

68'

McAtee persistent

The Man City man produces England's first tangible chance since the equaliser - using that left foot of his to attempt to test Atubolu, but this time his shot flies over.

67'

Nebel on the left, Nebel on the right

The Mainz man is all over the England defensive third, producing cross after cross into the Three Lions penalty area. It has been a struggle to contain the playmaker.

66'

No focal point

Having taken off Stansfield, England are really lacking a focal point up front and without the out and out striker, the lack of threat is slowly starting to show from the Three Lions.

64'

Germany on top

Now it is the Germans who are in the ascendency with the equaliser and the confidence as a result of it. Carsley's Three Lions are looking a bit shaky now.

63'

Well deserved equaliser

It felt as though Germany had lost their window initially when Woltemade's strong ball carry did not result in a pass at the right time, but they do well to retain the ball and create something out of nothing. A series of fortunate events leading to that superb goal from Nebel.

62'

Substitution

Brooke Norton-Cuffy

Jay Stansfield

NEBEL WITH A STUNNER!

GERMANY HAVE THEIR EQUALISER! And what an equaliser it is! A sequence of tremendous pressure from the Germans produces a corner opportunity, the ball deflects to Nebel on the edge of the box and the Mainz man finds the top right corner of Beadle's goal with a thunderous strike to level the game! 2-2!

© BRANISLAV RACKO

60'

Paul Nebel

GOAL!

2:2

57'

Nebel tests Beadle!

This time it's the Germans who threaten on the break, pouncing forward from the England corner but Nebel's attempt at beating Beadle is not enough and it remains 2-1. A really good chance to level there.

56'

Careless at the back from Germany

Oermann does well to win the ball back from Stansfield to prevent a direct England attack but once again the opposition's press is a lot to handle for the Germany side who concede a corner needlessly.

53'

England tireless in the press

Carsley's side have been relentless in their own ways, once again, forcing Germany's defenders backwards and into uncomfortable situations while playing out from the back.

51'

McAtee with a wonder-goal almost..

The Manchester City man does brilliantly well to bend past Reitz and Martel to carry the ball into space and the German defence keeps backing off of him until the shot comes from him for Atubolu's near-post and goes just wide.

50'

Nebel with whip

Was that intentional? Regardless, Nebel's whipped early cross had Beadle panicking in the England goal, Di Salvo's half-time talk is paying dividends thus far as Germany have been relentless in England's half.

49'

Tame from Weiper

A potentially dangerous situation put together by Germany, Reitz and Nebel attack the space in behind the English defence but Woltemade and Weiper don't get the expected service at the end and the resulting shot is a tame one from the Mainz man.

48'

Germany looking to control

Once again, England are happy to let Di Salvo's Germany have the ball and dictate proceedings whilst sitting in their shape and looking to hit on the break.

46'

Second 45 begins..

Germany get us underway for the second half with the greater momentum of the two sides after that Weiper header at the end of the first half.

Kick-off!

Half-time: England 2-1 Germany

A difficult first 45 minutes for Di Salvo's Germany but Weiper's header to make it 2-1 offers hope for the second half. Carsley's Three Lions have looked composed on the ball but extremely dangerous on the counter-attack. No doubt the Germany staff will be looking at how they can prevent those counters from repeating.

© Christian Bruna

Half-time

WEIPER GETS ONE BACK!

And what a header that is! The perfect timing for Germany to get a goal back, a left-footed cross from Nebel fizzes high into the box and finds the head of the Mainz man for an unstoppable header past Beadle, which is his fourth goal at the tournament.

© Christian Bruna

45'

+ 1

Nelson Weiper

GOAL!

2:1

45'

Collins hustles for the corner

The Frankfurt defender makes a good overlapping run into the England half and goes on to the byline to get a corner for his side. If Germany can find a goal here, it will do a world of good for their confidence.

44'

Substitution

Tyler Morton

Alex Scott

43'

Dangerous from Scott

A rough tackle from the Bournemouth midfielder on the ever-dangerous Woltemade but it was mistimed and sees the referee draw out a yellow card once again.

42'

Yellow card

Alex Scott

41'

Lacking killer instinct

Another pass from Arrey-Mbi finds Brown high up on the left, but England's backline has done a really good job of holding their shape and forcing the young Germans backwards.

40'

Atubolu saves!

Beadle's carelessness at the back is not punished by Germany's attackers which produces another window for a counter-attack for England. Once again, Hutchinson is at the heart of it, cutting back to McAtee at the edge of the box, who fires straight at Atubolu, who does just enough to parry it out.

38'

Drinks break

Both coaches have a second to get some instructions out to their players and after a brief break in play, we are underway again.

38'

Martel goes in the book

The referee has seen enough from the Germany captain and shows him the yellow on his latest foul, where he dives in for the tackle.

37'

Yellow card

Eric Martel

34'

Germany struggling to play out

England are really looking to make it difficult for Atubolu to play out and this time, it is Martel whose balance is thrown off by the England press and the ball is turned over to England.

32'

Germany looking more and more vulnerable

Atubolu is lucky once again to see an England shot fizz wide on the counter, Hutchinson again who finds himself to be a threat that is too much to handle for the German defence.

31'

England experience showing

Germany build through the thirds with some really neat play but Anderson puts out a potential fire at the back by the corner flag as Weiper fails to make the most of the 1v1 battle out wide.

29'

Woltemade getting into it

It's still early enough for Germany to get back in the game and Woltemade now trying to make things happen with his ball carrying and does win a corner for the side. The resulting corner produces a header from Weiper but nobody can take advantage of his first contact.

Hutchinson doubles the lead!

Carsley's side double their advantage and it's Hutchinson who gets the second! Another counter-attack by the young Three Lions is seemingly prevented at the death by the German defence, but England's persistence pays off and Hutchinson finds the gap between Atubolu's feet to score the second. This is a real test and a half for Di Salvo's men now.

© IMAGO/England v Germany

24'

Omari Hutchinson

GOAL!

2:0

22'

Woltemade gets a glance!

First chance of the evening for Germany but Woltemade is offside by quite a bit as he looks to meet a Reitz set piece faster than anybody else, the linesman flags him quickly enough.

20'

Germany yet to find their feet

England are looking far more comfortable in this affair. The likes of Woltemade are yet to find their feet in the game and Germany's best chances, albeit of low quality, have come from the likes of Brown and Nebel on the left.

18'

England dangerous on the counter again

This time it's Stansfield who fires wide. A fast counter-attack led by Elliott and McAtee, who set up the Birmingham City forward, but he can only fire wide of Atubolu's goal.

17'

England's right is the key

Germany's left flank is finding plenty of space down the left, Nebel and Brown repeatedly seeing the ball near the touchline but aren't able to make something concrete out of it just yet.

16'

Second foul by Martel..

The Germany captain needs to be careful here. That's his second foul of the day, studs in on Anderson and the follow through takes out the Nottingham Forest midfielder.

15'

Busy bee Nebel

Mainz star Nebel is seeing plenty of the ball between England's lines as Germany look to create something through some settled possession of the ball.

14'

Nearly 2-0!

Elliott's dangerous set-piece finds its way into the box and England captain McAtee fizzes a low shot across goal but it flies past the post. Still a 1-0 deficit for Germany to recover from.

12'

England composed under pressure

Di Salvo's German side have kept up the pressure but England have looked unfazed at the back and are doing well to keep the Germans at bay.

The big boss in the arena

Germany national team coach Julian Nagelsmann is at the venue for this one and if these young Germans can find a way back here, they will certainly be making a huge impression on Nagelsmann.

© IMAGO/Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images

8'

Final ball room for improvement

Germany's final ball certainly has left some room for improvement so far. Brown is found high and wide by Arrey-Mbi but the Frankfurt midfielder fails to make the most of the space he got and his cross is safely redirected by Hinshelwood.

7'

Germany looking to respond instantly

Gruda looking to take the game by the scruff of the neck from the right. The Germany man's creativity may be the key to help Germany find a way back in this one.

England get the opener!

There is confusion at the back from Germany's defence and Collins at right-back fails to track the run from England's danger man Elliott who takes full advantage of the chaos to slot in the opener. 1-0 to England within the first five minutes!

© Christian Bruna

4'

Harvey Elliott

GOAL!

1:0

3'

Martel tests Beadle

Early testing cross from holding midfielder Eric Martel - the Germany U21 captain finds himself on the flanks and sends a high ball into the box which is safely gathered by Beadle in the England goal.

2'

Intense opening minutes

The opening couple of minutes are already setting the stage for the key battles we will likely see for the rest of the ninety.

1'

We are underway!

England get the kick-off and we are underway in Bratislava!

Kick-off!

Five mins to kick-off

The players are walking out from the tunnel, the crowd is building up nicely in Bratislava as we are nearly ready to get underway.

Di Salvo on Carlsey's compliments

"He said, ‘We’ll see you in the final,’ and that’s what happened. I must say I’m delighted because we both have a lot of respect for one another; we’ve met a few times. In meetings at UEFA or at draws, we are always delighted to see each other, and we are often in contact, so I’m delighted to come up against him again."

© Christian Hofer

Carsley on relationship with di Salvo

Speaking about his relationship with Germany boss di Salvo, Carsley said: "I’ve been able to spend some time with him away from international football. I went to watch a game at Bayern, and he was there with his son, so it’s nice to see a different side of him. We weren’t competing against each other, and it was a bit more relaxed."

More on those teams

No changes in the England camp as Carsley goes for the same starting XI that beat Netherlands in the semi-finals. Meanwhile for Di Salvo, Rosenfelder's injury means Tim Oermann comes into the XI, while Knauff makes way for Gruda in attack.

Will Germany triumph once again?

Having already beat England before in the group, could this impressive group of youn Germans do it again?

© BRANISLAV RACKO

Young Three Lions subs

Simkin, Sharman-Lowe, Edwards, Hackney, Fellows, Rowe, Norton-Cuffy, Gray, Egan-Riley, Nwaneri, Morton, Iling-Junior

England starting XI

Beadle - Livramento, Cresswell, Quansah, Hinshelwood - Scott, Anderson - Elliott, McAtee (c), Hutchinson - Stansfield

© Christian Bruna

On the German bench

Ernst, Noll, Rosenfelder, Knauff, Röhl, Tresoldi, Thielmann, Ullrich, Siebert, Jander, Baum, Wanner

Germany starting XI

Atubolu - Collins, Arrey-Mbi, Oermann, Brown - Nebel, Martel (c), Reitz - Gruda, Weiper, Woltemade

© Christian Bruna

Pre-match greetings

Both coaches Lee Carsley and Antonio Di Salvo have met before in the competition and will be raring to go in what is certainly going to be an exciting clash in the final.

© Christian Hofer

All eyes on Woltemade

Or Woltemessi as he has been popularly nicknamed - the Stuttgart forward leads the tournament standings for goals with a total of six and will be hoping to finish with a flourish against this young Three Lions team.

© IMAGO

Showdown in Bratislava

Bratislava's national football stadium, which has a capacity of 22, 500 seats is set to be the venue for tonight's UEFA Euro U21 finals showdown between England and Germany.

© IMAGO

McAtee identifies Woltemade threat

“We arrived at the hotel at half-time for the last game and [Woltemade] is a great player and a big threat for them. That's the aim of the game, to try to stop him and stop their other special players as well.”

© IMAGO

Tuchel expected to attend

England gaffer and former Mainz and Dortmund head coach Thomas Tuchel is expected to be in the stands for the final. England captain James McAtee thinks this might serve as a boost for his side, saying: "If he does come, it will be extra motivation for the lads to win. More reason to impress the manager."

Woltemade full of praise for opposition

“England are one of the best teams in the tournament. A lot of their players have good experience and play in the Premier League so it’s a very good team. But we also have a very good team and individual quality. We have to remember the basics. We have to run a lot and bring this individual quality to the pitch. This is two good teams facing each other.”

© IMAGO

THAT team

Germany's U21 European Championship-winning side of 2009 was stacked with talent. Five players who started that game also started in the men's FIFA World Cup final victory over Argentina in Brazil five years later – Neuer, Boateng, Hummels, Höwedes and Özil.

© imago sportfotodienst

Di Salvo on facing England

“England are a top team. They have improved throughout the tournament. We played a great game against them and deserved to win but this is a final and we are on an equal level. There are a lot of great players and it will be a great challenge for us. We have performed really well until now and our team is united. We want to bring our best to the pitch.”

© Christian Hofer

The decider?

This is the third final to take place between these nations at U21 level and the record shows one victory apiece. Germany won 4-0 when they last met in the 2009 final in Malmo thanks to a brace from now-Augsburg head coach Sandro Wagner, as well as goals from Gonzalo Castro and Mesut Özil, whereas England's was back in 1982, in a 5-4 aggregate win over two legs against former West Germany.

Carsley on Woltemade

"Obviously he's a very good player and scored a lot of goals for them, especially in this tournament. In the qualifying campaign as well he was really effective. We come up against all kinds of players with different attributes. I think the Premier League is so unique as well that you're up against players like that that who are fast, strong, quick, tall. Our defenders are used to it from an English point of view with that physical contact, that physical side of the game."

© TOMAS BENEDIKOVIC

Antonio Di Salvo on Germany's unity

"From the very beginning, the team have shown that they belong together. They're there for each other – top teams are there for each other. But I also think the way the team communicate with the staff, how they include the team, it goes the other way around too, of course..."

© IMAGO/Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images

All square

The two countries are also even when it comes to U21 European Championship victories, with each side having won it three times. England have won it more recently, beating Spain 1-0 in 2023, while Germany last won it in 2021, beating Portugal by the same scoreline.

© Frank Hoermann/SVEN SIMON via www.imago-images.de

Previous meetings

Aside from Germany's group stage win earlier on in the competition, the two sides have met numerous times at U21 level - 20, in fact. The history between the two is fairly balanced, with each side winning eight of their encounters, with the remaining four games ending in draws. Their most recent meeting outside of this tournament came in 2023, when England won 2-0 thanks to goals from Cameron Archer and Harvey Elliott.

© IMAGO/Michele Finessi

A look at the opponents

While Germany maintained a perfect record in the group phase, England won one, drew one and lost one before beating the likes of Spain and the Netherlands in the knockout rounds. Like their opponents, the Three Lions can boast a squad full of players with first-team experience, with Liverpool's Harvey Elliott being a standout performer for them this summer having scored four goals from midfield.

10:04

Watch: The best of Nick Woltemade

Germany's road to the final

Germany kicked things off with a 3-0 win over Slovenia on Matchday 1 in Group B, and followed it up with a 4-2 success over Czechia that secured their spot in the knockout rounds with a game to spare. They finished top of the section after beating England on Matchday 3. Subsequent victories over Italy (3-2 in the quarter-finals) and France (3-0) in the semi-finals put Nick Woltemade and Co in the tournament showpiece.

© IMAGO/BEAUTIFUL SPORTS/Meusel

Hello and welcome!

Thank you for joining us for build-up and live match coverage of the final between England and Germany, to be held at the National Football Stadium in Bratislava on Saturday 28 June (21:00 CEST).