Germany through to U21 EURO semi-finals after 3-2 win against Italy
23.06.2025
Nelson Weiper celebrates together with fellow goalscorers Nick Woltemade and Merlin Röhl ( from l.) Foto: Thomas Böcker/DFB
The Germany U21s have progressed to the semi-finals of the U21 EUROs in Slovakia following a 3-2 win (a.e.t.) against Italy U21s. Merlin Röhl netted the winning goal in the 117th minute, after Nick Woltemade (68’) and substitute Nelson Weiper (87’) had previously found the back of the net for Germany. Italy had taken the lead through Luca Koleosho (58’), with Giuseppe Ambrosino then converting a free-kick in the sixth minute of second-half injury time to send the match to extra time. The Italians had previously been reduced to nine men, with both Wilfried Gnonto (81’) and Mattia Zanotti (90’) being sent off after collecting two bookings.
“We’re extremely relieved. We made things difficult for ourselves, unnecessarily so. We were lucky that we scored late on again,” head coach Antonio Di Salvo said afterwards. “I’m enjoying it all,” said match-winner Röhl. “It was a great moment together with the team, as well as a very emotional one. It was unfortunate that we had to go to extra time, despite having been on the front foot.”
Di Salvo named the same starting line-up that had already featured in the first two group stage matches. Noah Atubolu started in goal, behind a back-four of Nathaniel Brown, Bright Akwo Arrey-Mbi, Max Rosenfelder and Nnamdi Collins. Captain Eric Martel started in midfield, alongside Rocco Reitz and Paul Nebel. The front three was made up of Brajan Gruda, Nicolò Tresoldi and Woltemade.
WOLTEMADE WITH THE FIRST CHANCE OF THE NIGHT
Both teams started cautiously, with the first real opportunity of the match coming in the 12th minute, as Woltemade dribbled his way into the box and placed a shot just wide of the near post. Germany were able to see more of the ball in the minutes that followed, as Italy preferred to wait for opportunities to counter.
The ‘Azzurrini’ then went close through Gnonto in the 31st minute, as the striker placed a shot into the side-netting. At the other end, Nebel was able to break through and get off a shot inside the box, but his attempt was saved by goalkeeper Sebastiano Desplanches (36’). Neither side had managed to break the deadlock by the time the referee signalled for half-time.
WOLTEMADE CANCELS OUT KOLEOSHO’S OPENER
The start of the second half also featured few chances at either end, before Italy managed to break through via Luca Koleosho and Gnonto. The latter managed to force Atubolu into making a save one-on-one, but the flag went up as Gnonto had been in an offside position (55’). Shortly after, Italy would manage to break through as Koleosho cut in from the left wing to bury a shot from the edge of the box.
Di Salvo reacted by making a triple subsitution, as Rohl, Ansgar Knauff and Weiper came on for Nebel, Gruda and Tresoldi (62’). Italy were once again defending deep at this point of the match, making it difficult for Germany to finish their chances. Röhl tested Desplanches with a header, which the keeper parried out for a corner (67’). Reitz stepped up to deliver it, finding Woltemade inside the box as he headed in to draw Germany level.
AMBROSINO SENDS THE MATCH TO EXTRA TIME
Italy were then reduced to 10 men in the 81st minute, as Gnonto was sent off after collecting his second yellow card of the match. Germany were able to profit from their numerical advantage, as Röhl delivered a cross into the box that was flicked on by Woltemade before Weiper finished it beautifully into the far corner (87’).
The Azzurrini were then dealt another late set-back as Mattia Zanotti was shown two yellows in quick succession, reducing them to just nine men for the remainder of the match (90’). Just as Germany looked assured of advancing to the next round, the referee awarded Italy a free kick in a promising position just outside the box. Ambrosino stepped up to take it and curled it into the top corner, sending the match to extra time in dramatic fashion (90+6’).
RÖHL NETS THE MATCH-WINNER
Tim Oermann was brought on for Rosenfelder as extra time got underway, with Elias Baum replacing Collins 10 minutes later. Germany dominated proceedings, but were constantly denied by Italy’s low block. Reitz forced Desplanches into making a diving save to push his attempt over the bar (103’). Paul Wanner then came on for Martel in the closing stages (116’).
With just minutes separating the two sides from a penalty shootout, Röhl managed to restore Germany’s lead in the 117th minute. The midfielder slotted home from 16 metres out to seal his side a spot in the semi-finals of the tournament.
Germany will now come up against France U21s in the semi-finals on Wednesday (25th June, 21:00 CEST). ‘Les Espoirs’ advanced to the final four after managing to come back twice against Denmark U21s on Sunday afternoon (3-2).
Categories: News (engl.)
Author: mmc/asv
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