News (engl.)

Germany’s U21 national team secured their place at the 2025 European Championship in Slovakia with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Bulgaria in Regensburg. Maximilian Beier gave Antonio Di Salvo’s side an early lead with a well-placed header (9’), but Nikola Iliev levelled the scores shortly before half time (37’). A second-half penalty from Nick Woltemade (66’) sealed the win for Germany.

Head coach Antonio Di Salvo made three changes from the side that thrashed Estonia 10-1 in their previous match. Noah Atubolu came in for Jonas Urbig in goal, while Bright Arrey-Mbi and Max Rosenfelder partnered in central defence. Jan Thielmann and Luca Netz occupied the full-back positions. In midfield, captain Eric Martel and Rocco Reitz provided cover, while Ansgar Knauff and Maximilian Beier played on the wings. Nick Woltemade took up the playmaker role, with Nicolo Tresoldi leading the line as the lone striker.

In front of 8,656 fans at the Jahnstadion, Germany dominated from the start. They won their first corner within minutes, and the Bulgarian defence had to scramble to clear the ball before Tresoldi could pounce (8’). Germany’s pressure paid off early. After Bulgaria failed to clear a Reitz corner, he regained possession and whipped in a cross to the far post, where Beier rose highest to head home for the lead (9’).

Germany continued to press after the opener. Kristiyan Stoyanov made a crucial interception to prevent Tresoldi from doubling the lead (11’), and Knauff’s final touch let him down after a clever run past two defenders (20’). However, after a lively start, Germany’s play began to lose some precision, and Bulgaria grew into the game, with Iliev (21’) and Martin Georgiev (30’) both testing the defence. Moments earlier, Knauff had come close to extending Germany’s lead, but his shot from Martel’s long pass flew just over the bar (28’).

Woltemade’s penalty restores the lead

Despite struggling to create clear chances, Bulgaria took advantage of a defensive error to equalise. A poor pass from Beier near his own penalty area was intercepted by Marin Petkov, who set up Stanislav Shopov to slide the ball through to Iliev. The Bulgarian forward finished clinically from a tight angle to beat Atubolu and level the match (37’). Atubolu made a key save just before half time to deny Petkov and keep the scores tied going into the break (45+1’).

The second half started in scrappy fashion, with the game largely being fought in midfield. Reitz received the first yellow card of the evening for a heavy challenge on Iliev (50’), and two Bulgarian players were also booked soon after. As the game progressed, Germany found their rhythm again and began creating chances. Martel forced a save from Bulgarian goalkeeper Damyan Hristov (62’), who also tipped a Tresoldi header wide (64’).

Tresoldi played a key role in the match’s decisive moment. After controlling a cross in the box, he was brought down by Iliev. The referee awarded a penalty, and Woltemade stepped up to confidently send Hristov the wrong way, slotting the ball into the bottom-left corner to restore Germany’s lead (66’).

Di Salvo made his first change soon after, bringing on Paul Wanner for the energetic Ansgar Knauff (71’). Despite continued German pressure, they couldn’t add to their lead. Tresoldi’s shot lacked power after a pinpoint Reitz cross (75’), and Tim Lemperle, who had replaced Tresoldi, saw his effort from a tight angle miss the target (82’). Thielmann also made way for Leandro Morgalla, while Paul Nebel came on for Beier in stoppage time (90+2’). Germany held firm in the closing stages to secure the win and their place at next year’s European U21 Championship.

With eight wins from nine games, Antonio Di Salvo’s team have successfully wrapped up top spot in Group D already. Their final qualifying match is against second-placed Poland in Łódź on Tuesday (17:00 CEST).