Germany is in the semi-finals of the U21 European Championship. The key figure in the success of the DFB juniors is Nick Woltemade.
“It annoys so violently, that is said in every sentence.” Nick Woltemade has no desire to be titled as a “two-meter-Messi” or in a different form as a striker with a height of two meters. The striker recently made it clear in a relaxed video format of the DFB with Niclas Füllkrug. Grinning filled filler: “We want to hold it back, Nick is not two meters.” His next man is tall 1.98 meters, emphasized Füllkrug. Woltemade then corrected the 32-year-old: “At the medical check, I am 1.99 meters.”
No matter whether 1.98 or 1.99 meters, Nick Woltemade is a unique striker. Because despite its height, ball treatment is its great strength. If large players normally stand for having their strengths in the air, Woltemade is a playfully striking striker. The nickname “Woltemessi” has long been widespread.
In Germany, Woltemade has known every Bundesliga fan since this season at the latest. Internationally, he has been no stranger since the U21 European Championship. Because Woltemade is the best goal scorer (five goals) and the best preparatory (three templates) of the tournament. And in just three missions, because he followed the third German group game from the bank. In the quarterfinal victory against Italy on Sunday (3-2 after extra time) he was back in the starting eleven-and was once again the key player, only scored the 1-1 equalizer and then prepared the 2-1.
Sturm partner Nicoló Tresoldi said in an interview with Sport1: “He is an outstanding player, his development this season is incredible.” Woltemade is “big, ball -safe, you can play football with him. I hope he stays healthy.”
The 23-year-old is a special appearance. The combination of shape and style of play makes it a kind of unicorn in German football. He himself said “Copa TS” in the podcast: “Nobody gambles like me with the size and everything.” It is hard to believe that such a big player is so good on the ball and his header is more of the weaknesses. Despite his 1.99 meters in the 2023/24 Bundesliga season, Woltemade won only 39.4 percent of his wetting battles – 149 of all players. Even the 1.72 meter tall Ritsu Dōan from SC Freiburg was in front of him. But the Stuttgart striker has improved. In the past season it was already 43.1 percent.
At the U21 European Championship, he demonstrates the increase. Already in the 4: 2 against the Czech Republic, Woltemade hit his head. Afterwards he said: “Slowly my header is too weak for me too.” He followed up against Italy and also hit the skull yesterday, also the score of 2-1 was an cross extended by him. The hits in the air are something special for him. “I am most happy about such goals because it is the gift of work on the training ground. I might have started working a little earlier to work on it,” he had already summed up after the Czech Republic.
Woltemade is the great hope for the German national team in the storm center. Niclas Füllkrug is already 32 years old, Tim Kleindienst is 30 in August. In addition, both have to struggle with injuries again and again. Filling jug missed large parts of the past season, small service suffered its second serious meniscus injury in May, it is still months.