FAQ
The U21 European Championship begins in Slovakia on Wednesday, Germany is part of the favorite group. Everything you need to know about the EM.
When does the U21 European Championship start?
The 16 teams at the U21 European Championship will play the winner in Slovakia from June 11th to 28th. Only for the third time there are 16 teams.
Who has to go against Germany?
Germany meets Slovenia (June 12), Czech Republic (June 15) and defending champion England (June 18).
Who else is there?
Host Slovakia gets to do in group A with Italy, Spain and Romania, Portugal, France, Poland and Georgia play in Group C. The Netherlands must deal in Group D with Finland, Ukraine and Denmark.
Where is played?
In eight cities: Bratislava, Trnava, Nitra, Dunajská Streda, Kosice, Zilina, Presov and Trencin. The DFB selection moves into Modra about 35 kilometers northeast of Bratislava, against Slovenia and England, the team of coach Antonio di Salvo plays in Nitra, against the Czech Republic in Dunajská Streda. The final takes place in Bratislava. The opening game between Slovakia and Spain also increases there.
How are the kick -off times?
All German group games are kicked off at 9 p.m. On the first two match days there is an early game at 6 p.m. and three late games per day. The respective group games are kicked off in parallel on the last preliminary round game day.
How is the mode?
The two best teams of each group reach the quarter -finals. The teams of groups A and B and those of groups C and D play “across cross” there. In the event of a widening, Germany would meet Slovakia, Italy, Spain or Romania from Group A.
Who is that Defending champion?
In 2023, the English won the tournament in Romania and Georgia. The team won 1-0 against Spain in the final. Curtis Jones from FC Liverpool made the winning goal. Germany was already eliminated in the preliminary round
Who is favorite?
Above all, these are the English again. The team has by far the highest overall market value of all teams with almost 410 million euros. Only France comes with around 330 million. The favorites also include Germany and Spain.
Does Germany have really good chances?
Yes, quite. The embarrassing European Championship preliminary round in 2023 followed 15 games without defeat, the team of coach Antonio di Salvo easily solved the qualification – and in March 3-1 set a big exclamation mark with the dress rehearsal against Spain. If the DFB selection survives the tricky group, everything is possible.
Who is missing?
The team leader is captain Eric Martel from Bundesliga promoted 1. FC Köln, in goal Noah Atubolu from the European Cup qualified SC Freiburg is already playing his second tournament. All eyes will be on Nick Woltemade. After the cup final with VfB Stuttgart and his first nomination of national coach Julian Nagelsmann, he should also shoot the U21 to the title.
Di Salvo has to do without almost all players from Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Red Bull Salzburg-especially on FCB keeper Jonas Urbig, the BVB duo Maximilian Beier and Karim Adeyemi, the future Bayern professional Tom Bischof as well as Leandro Morgalla and Hendry Blank (both Salzburg). After all, Paul Wanner, who was last loan from Bavaria to Heidenheim.
Youssoufa Moukoko is not here either. He led the U21 with six qualifiers as the best scorer to the European Championship, but has to watch there. Reason: In the French first division club OGC Nice, the loan from Borussia Dortmund did not come into play at all, without a game practice he “did not deserve” the nomination, said Di Salvo.
What does the squad look like?
Goal: Noah Atubolu (SC Freiburg), Tjark Ernst (Hertha BSC), Nahuel Noll (SpVgg Greuther Fürth)
Defense: Bright Arrey-Mmbi (Sporting Braga), Elias Baum (SV Elversberg), Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt), Nmandi Collins (Eintracht Frankfurt), Tim Oermann (VfL Bochum), Max Rosenfelder (SC Freiburg), Jamil Siebert (Fortuna Düsseldorf), Lukas Ullrich (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
Midfield: Brajan Gruda (Brighton & Hove Albion), Caspar Jander (1. FC Nürnberg), Ansgar Knauff (Eintracht Frankfurt), Eric Martel (1. FC Köln), Paul Nebel (1. FSV Mainz 05), Rocco Reitz (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Merlin Röhl (SC Freiburg), Jan Thielmann), Paul Wanner (1. FC Heidenheim)
Attack: Nicolò Tresoldi (Hannover 96), Nelson Weiper (1. FSV Mainz 05), Nick Woltemade (VfB Stuttgart)
Which international Jungstars are there?
The most valuable player in the tournament is England and Arsenal striker Ethan Nwaneri with a market value of 55 million euros, closely followed by Portuguese Geovany Quenda (Sporting Lisbon/50 million). Also included: Mathys Tel (France), Wilfried Gnonto (Italy), Jorrel Hato (Netherlands) or Cristhian Mosquera (Spain).
Why are players who are older than 21?
This is related to the start of the qualification. Since it started in 2023, all players who were born in or after January 1, 2002 may take part in the final round. Some players such as goalkeeper Noah Atubolu, Ansgar Knauff or Rocco Reitz are therefore already 23 at the time of the tournament.
Where can the games be seen?
The sports show reports on all European Championship games in the live ticker.
All German games are transferred live to Sat.1. Saving ProSieben Maxx shows selected top games without German participation and on Ran.de all matches can be seen.