Football Championship: U21 title dream lives-after “murderer” against France

Rudi Völler hugged U21 national coach Antonio di Salvo and knocked on his chest appreciatively after the quarter-finals. The nerve -wracking 3: 2 after extension against Italy further increases the hopes for the fourth title of a German U21 before the semi -finals against France. “The lust is huge,” said Di Salvo after an EM evening with great emotions.

After “murderer” against France

“We are already in the semi -finals and if we would not think of wanting to come to the final now and, if you were there, you would be strange even after the title,” said di Salvo. For his selection, the flight from Bratislava was on the semi-finals in the east of Slovakia on Monday.

There, the young footballers of the Grande Nation around the former Bayern star Mathys Tel on Wednesday (9:00 p.m./SAT.1) are the next top opponent, which the team wants to defeat on the way to the final after the appearance declared by Torgman Nick Woltemade. And then it should go back to the capital, where on Saturday the final against the English or the Netherlands conquered in the group phase would be due in the group phase.

“I hope we take the drive and this emotion with us,” said the tirelessly field of Mönchengladbacher Rocco Reitz. Reitz and players did not disturb the fact that national coach Julian Nagelsmann did not sitting in the grandstand in the back and forth game against Azzurrini, unlike his Italian counterpart Gennaro Gattuso. “I don’t think he has to be here is his duty,” said the Gladbacher, “but if he stopped by, we will of course be happy.” A win is still needed.

Völler reported that Nagelsmann followed all games from a distance and keep my fingers crossed. During a final entry of the German team there would be a visit to the national coach announced by the sports director at the European Football Championship in Slovakia, where Nagelsmann can also look at candidates for his 2026 World Cup. Woltemade has recently been promoted to A international. Brajan Gruda and Reitz have already sniffed in.

Long chattered sports director Völler in the almost empty stadium in Dunajska Streda with U21 national coach di Salvo. After the preliminary round out of 2023, this is now in the process of writing a perhaps a fairytale U21 story. The fourth title after 2009, 2017 and 2021 is supposed to be, Di Salvo was there as an assistant coach. “Rudi congratulated,” said Di Salvo about the chat after the game. After that, the analysis of the 1990 world champion was similar to that of Di Salvo, for which the match was particularly emotional because of its Italian roots.

Di Salvo once again justifies the trust placed in him. His contract had already been extended in March until after the final round 2027. Working with the U21 is highly valued by the association as well as the cooperation with the A team. “I’m constantly in contact with Julian,” said Di Salvo on Monday night. Nagelsmann certainly looked at the exciting game on television.

Worn candidate Röhl becomes a match winner

An average of 4.3 million people saw the second half of the Ko crime novel at Sat.1. It was a gripping game in which the German selection with a 2-1 lead and after two Italian references was practically further outnumbered. Until Italy saved itself with a dream free kick in the sixth minute of injury time.

There, the Freiburg Joker Merlin Röhl slipped into the role of the Tor-Hero with the winning goal. “I am grateful that I am still here that nobody was nominated, that I had an impact today and that the foot kept,” said Röhl to his brilliant right shot in the 117th minute. “Many emotions” were there at the moment that the lottery prevented the penalty shootout. Röhl had injured his ankle shortly before the tournament start.

And again Woltemade meets

The Freiburger made sure that the trouble at Woltemade over the late 2-2 was evaporated. Fighted the new international step onto the stands, the mom was punched and clapped from the father. The 23-year-old scored his fifth tournament gate in the 1-1 equalizer, prepared the 2-1 of how Röhl substitute Mainzers Nelson Weiper. “This strengthened the team spirit again today,” said the cup winner.

Sauna, ice sun and pizza

Woltemade wanted “straight to bed”, Reitz was looking forward to “Eistonnne and Pizza” and for Weiper it was called “sauna, food, sleep”. In the spirit of Di Salvo, who gathered the team around the defender Bright Arrey-BM, who was elected player of the game, after the final whistle on the lawn.

“Regenerate, eat, sleep, sleep now,” the coach called to his players. “The trainer has free tomorrow – and the rest too.” Captain Eric Martel and his team acknowledged this with applause and cheers – at least as far as the strength of the “mouse -dead” martel still reached. “No matter what happens to us, we can shake it off and always put it on,” said Martel.