German U21 triumphs 2-0 against France – final in sight!

German U21 triumphs 2-0 against France – final in sight!

The German U21 got off to a sensational start in the semi-finals of the 2025 European Football Championship and led 2-0 against France at half-time. Coach Antonio di Salvo surprised the fans with a changed offensive, in which the promising player “Woltemessi”, better known as Woltemade, provided a breath of fresh air. And it seems to have worked: Weiper scored the first goal in the 8th minute after a rebound from Nebel, followed by Woltemade's goal just six minutes later, which increased the score to 2-0. The German selection has put in a strong performance and has a chance of reaching the final. As Focus reports, the starting position is favorable.

But despite the early lead, the Germans had to overcome some challenges. France increased the pressure and took increasing control of the game in the 28th minute. Sildillia, the opponent's fast winger, in particular caused a stir when he found a lot of space in the German defense. A yellow card for Doukoure after a foul on Knauff demonstrated the increasing aggressiveness of the French. As [Ran](https://www.ran.de/sports/fussball/u21-europachampionship/news/u21-em-noah-atubolu-vor-deutschland-vs-frankreich-die-kleinen-dinge- Werden-entscheiden-552623) informed, Atubolu was also, who with this game becomes the record goalkeeper in the history of the German U21, is required to keep the zero.

Atubolu's record and the U21 machine

Noah Atubolu, who was already proud of his 21st selection for the U21s before the game, is more than just the goalkeeper - he is a supporter who has already earned the respect of the fans in his young career. “The little things will decide,” he said, underscoring the importance of precision and teamwork. His connection with defense chief Max Rosenfelder shows the strength of the German defense and how well they harmonize with each other - essential if there is a threat of potential French comebacks. With a record of only two wins from 14 duels against France, the pressure on the German team is not exactly easy, but they are still ready to make history and win the title again after 2009, 2017 and 2021.

Atubolu also talks about his personal regeneration process after the intense round of 16 against Italy, in which his team had to fight for over 120 minutes. The support of his team, including physios and athletic trainers, helped him prepare optimally. The goalkeeper also benefits from ice barrels for regeneration, which seems to help him cope with the high level of pressure. Even off the pitch, his contact with his friend and opponent Kiliann Sildillia shows that football is not just about rivalry, but also about human bonds.

The path to the final

The challenges ahead include defensive stability, especially against an opponent like France, which is known for its comeback qualities. Atubolu warns against underestimating them and emphasizes that the overall level of the tournament is very high. The next half has a lot to offer and could be crucial for the course of the game.

The question of whether Germany will make it to the final remains exciting. The 2025 European Championship could be the stage on which the U21s prove their strength and delight the fans with another title. A look at the table and goalkeeper history shows how important the connection between defense and goalkeeper is in these crucial moments - and Atubolu has proven so far that he is up to these challenges. Further information can be found on Transfermarkt.