EM final against England: Nagelsmann at the U21 European Championship final: What kind of Woltemade now counts

Top scorer? Player of the tournament? For the U21 star Nick Woltemade accompanied by AC speculations, there is one above everything in the European Championship final. Whether he will become a top scorer or not is “not decisive” for him. “As long as we have the title, I don’t really care,” said the 23-year-old. “Of course, if I can help and shoot a goal, and bring both that together, it would be very nice. But primarily the title counts for me.”

Woltemade leads the EM goal shooter list with six goals ahead of England’s Liverpool star Harvey Elliott (4). “Elliott is also welcome to score three goals. As long as we shoot a goal more in the game and we get the title,” said Woltemade. The Stuttgart cup winner did not comment on the speculation that he could still switch to FC Bayern this summer.

Before the eyes of national coach Julian Nagelsmann, who announced his visit to the final, Woltemade would like to improve his goal yield. “I think he has already seen the six. But hopefully I can shoot another live in front of his eyes,” said Woltemade, “but I think he already trusts me that I know where the goal is.” It is nice that the national coach is in the stadium, but the final in front of families and friends is particularly beautiful. Nagelsmann had not followed the previous German games in the stadium.

According to Pierre Littbarski (1982), Luca Waldschmidt (2019) and Lukas Nmecha (2021), Woltemade could become the fourth German top scorer at a U21 European Championship. No more than seven goals did not score a top scorer. There is even the award for the player of the tournament, as the current DFB sports director Rudi Völler won in 1982. And that in his last U21 game. “It was a very long journey. Two years that somehow passed quickly,” said Woltemade. “For me personally, it was the most beautiful U-national team years.”

As with the previous European Championship triumph with five wins in five games, the U21 wants to inspire thousands of fans in the stadium and millions in front of TV at the end of the tournament. “Of course you hoped that you can trigger such a small hype,” said Woltemade. “I know it myself from the past when I was looking forward to all the tournaments. I think it’s nice that we can now contribute to it ourselves.”

Coach Antonio di Salvo emphasized the team’s attributes, which can get a U21 European title for Germany for the fourth time. It is not only the results, but also the way you play, said the coach. Passion, will, emotions, quality – everything is there. “And if all of this comes together, you ignite enthusiasm.”