Hofmann and Germany draw in charity game

Jonas Hofmann and the Germany national side drew 3-3 (1-2) against Ukraine in a charity game in Bremen. The Germany U21 national team, including Luca Netz, celebrated a clear 7-0 friendly win against a selected side from South Tyrol.

“We let ourselves get rattled by the very, very unnecessary goals we conceded,” explained Jonas Hofmann (photo: imago images/Schüler), who was been substituted on for Marius Wolf in the 62nd minute, after the final whistle, adding, “We would have liked to win, but 3-3 is a nice result given the circumstances.” The proceeds from this match will go to Ukraine, and the national players’ shirts will also be auctioned off for the same cause.

The Germany national side took the lead after seven minutes in their 1,000th international game thanks to a goal from Niclas Füllkrug. A goal from Viktor Tsygankov (18’) and an own goal from Antonio Rüdiger (23’) turned the game on its head, however, in the middle of the first half. Eleven minutes after the start of the second half, Tsygankov once again scored to put the visitors 3-1 ahead. Hansi Flick’s team needed a bit of time to process this setback. In the final period, however, they hit back: after Kai Havertz (83’) made it 3-2, captain Joshua Kimmich converted from the penalty spot in the first minute of injury time to make the final score 3-3. Hofmann and Germany will next face Poland away on Friday evening in a friendly match (20:45 CEST).

Netz substituted off injured – Di Salvo gives the all-clear

The Germany U21 national team, including Luca Netz, beat a team from South Tyrol 7-0 in a friendly match on Monday. Netz was forced to leave the pitch after 36 minutes with an injury. “He suddenly had stomach cramps, maybe it was something he ate,” said head coach Antonio Di Salvo, later giving the all-clear. The goals for the Germany youth side were scored by Youssoufa Moukoko (6’, 25’), Jan Thielmann (10’), Noah Weißhaupt (30’), Kenneth Schmidt (69’) and Nelson Weiper (73’), as well as an own goal (9’). The result could have been much higher, but Germany didn’t convert as many chances as they could have done. “That annoy us because we want to be clinical in front of goal,” said Di Salvo. “When it matters, you don’t get 25 scoring chances. That is definitely something that we will discuss.”

The next game for the Germany U21s is on Friday (18:00 CEST), when they play a friendly against Switzerland, before the start of the U21 European Championship in Romania and Georgia. In the first group match, Di Salvo’s team will face Israel (22nd June, 18:00 CEST). The DFB have to report the final 23-man squad for the European Championship by Wednesday evening.