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Harvey Elliott's X-rated reaction to Germany star after England U21s Euros win

England beat Germany 3-2 after extra-time to win their second successive under-21 European Championship final and Harvey Elliott rubbed salt in their opponents' wounds

Harvey Elliott

Harvey Elliott made a V signal after full-time

Liverpool star Harvey Elliott appeared to stick two fingers up to Germany after helping England under-21s beat their old rivals to win another European Championship final. Elliott, 22, broke the deadlock after just five minutes before Ipswich's Omari Hutchinson doubled the Young Lions' lead in the first half.

Germany pulled a goal back just before half-time, though, and eventually equalised on the hour mark, sending the final in Bratislava to extra-time. Lee Carsley's side quickly won back the momentum, as substitute Jonathan Rowe scored within the opeing two minutes.

His goal was enough to crown England champions for the second time in three years, having also won the competition under Carsley in 2023. As the Young Lions celebrated after full-time while shaking hands with the Germany players, TV cameras zoomed in on Elliott and caught him cupping his ears and sticking two fingers up, seemingly directed at an unspecified opponent.

The Liverpool midfielder had been taken off at the start of extra-time, as Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri came on. In the 2023 final, Elliott came off the bench to help see out a victory over Spain, who England this year beat in the quarter-finals 3-1.

His displays in Slovakia earned him player of the tournament, having scored a brace in the Young Lions' 2-1 semi-final win against the Netherlands on Wednesday. "Player of the tournament!" Elliott posted on Instagram. "Thank you to the team for making it happen. An absolute privilege."

Elliott also told Channel 4: "It's another incredible moment. I think this one meant a lot more, especially coming off the back of winning it last time.

"There's been a big expectation, big pressure but the way the lads handled it from start to finish at this tournament, I think no one deserves it more than us.

"It's time to celebrate because it's been hard work; tiring with the heat, with everything that's involved. But it's party time now and we're gonna make the most of it.

"It's getting me emotional. The team is one of a kind. To work with these lads each and every day for the last month or so, it's been one of the best moments of my career so far. All the lads are just top, top guys and it might be the last time I'm ever gonna play with some of them.

"As you know, we're moving on now, we're too old for the competition. It's been incredible and I wish them nothing by the very best. I hope they go on to succeed at everything in life because the way they are as lads, the way they are as players, to all get to this moment and to play so well again, it's emotional but I'm so thankful for them."

Should Lee Carsley have been given the England job permanently? Have your say in the comments section.

BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA - JUNE 28: Harvey Elliott of England celebrates with his Player of the Tournament award after the team's victory in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2025 Final match between England and Germany at National Football stadium on June 28, 2025 in Bratislava, Slovakia. (Photo by Christian Hofer/Getty Images)

Harvey Elliott was named player of the tournament

It was certainly a squad game as England were made to go the distance in the final. Carsley hailed: "All the credit goes to the players. I'm really proud of them and the commitment they have shown.

"They have so much belief. This squad believes that they can win. To be European champions for the second time is a great achievement, and the challenge is to do it again in two years.

"Any setback that we have had, the players have got together. I didn't think we played great tonight. We sat too deep and didn't have as much control as I wanted. But we won't remember that!"

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