Mega comeback: DFB-U19 fights against Spain in the semi-finals!

Mega comeback: DFB-U19 fights against Spain in the semi-finals!

The German U19 national team wrote a true football fairytale and shot their way into the semi-finals of the U19 European Championship in Romania with a breathtaking comeback against Norway. After a thrilling 2-1 win today, the team has a coach Hanno Balitsch another piece of history written.

The path to the semi-finals was anything but straight. In the second group game against England there was a spectacular game in which Germany initially led 5-1, but the match ended 5-5. The final victory over Norway, whose conditions were nerve-wracking, was all the more important. After 72 minutes, Germany fell behind, but the team showed fighting spirit. In the 85th minute the score was equal Assan Ouedraogo from RB Leipzig and in stoppage time, Said El Mala (18 years old, Viktoria Cologne) secured the victory and thus the decision with his goal.

A rising star

Said El Mala, who received the Newcomer of the Year award in the 3rd league in May 2025 and just won the Bitburger Cup with the DFB, can now hope for the European Championship title. With three goals in ten games, he has proven his playing ability and is viewed by many experts as one of the key players for Germany's success. He never scored twice in the group stage, but showed that he can also be there in crucial moments.

After the thrilling victory over Norway, the U19 national team can look forward to a difficult semi-final against Spain, who finished their group with 9 points and a goal difference of 9:1. The Spanish team is considered one of the favorites and could pose a real challenge for the German team. The Netherlands will face Romania in the other semi-final.

Looking to the future

The last U19 European Championships are a good thing for Germany: the last title was won in 2015, and the motivation is high to be at the top of the tournament this time too. The current squad includes 13 players who became U17 world champions in 2023. This could be a crucial advantage in overcoming the pressure and reaching the next level.

The semi-finals take place on Monday and all eyes will be on the talented players. The European Championship will be broadcast live in Germany, so football fans won't miss any exciting details. After all, the U19s are not only fighting for the title, but also for the honor of continuing the legacy of German football. Hopes rest on the shoulders of young talents like Said El Mala, who are ready to make their dreams come true on Europe's biggest stage.

For more information about the U19 European Championship games and results, we recommend visiting Kicker.