U21 EUROs: Victory for Koné and France, Netz and Germany still winless
Manu Koné and the France U21s have won both their opening two group stage games at the U21 EUROs, given them good chances of advancing to the quarterfinals. Luca Netz and Germany U21s, meanwhile, are on the brink of elimination after a 2-1 defeat against Czech Republic U21s.
France U21s
Manu Koné and the France U21s celebrated a 1-0 win over Norway U21s in their second group stage match. Head coach Sylvian Ripoll made seven changes to the starting line-up, with Koné dropping to the bench after having been named Man of the Match in their opening group stage fixture against Italy U21s (2-1 win). The first shot of the game came from France’s Amine Adli in the 13th minute. After the break, it was Michael Olise who would score the opener for the ‘Bleuets,’ after a pass from Adli (57’). Norway looked to threaten from set pieces, but weren’t able to find their way back into the game. Koné was subbed on in the 78th minute.
France are currently top of Group D with six points, and need just one point from their final group stage game against Switzerland U21s in order to win their group. Should they lose and Italy beat Norway in the other Group D fixture taking place at the same time, then France, Switzerland and Italy would end level on points. In that event, it would come down to head-to-head between the three sides.
- Wednesday, 28th June, 20:45 CEST, in Cluj-Napoca, Romania: Switzerland U21 – France U21 (group stage, matchday 3)
Germany U21s
Luca Netz (Photo: imago images/Beautiful Sports) and the Germany U21s are still waiting for their first win at the U21 EUROs, after losing 2-1 to Czech Republic U21s on the second group stage matchday. Netz featured for the full 90 minutes, setting up four shots for his teammates. Germany started well, with Josha Vagnoman having the first effort on goal after just five minutes. Czech goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros was in top form, however, making multiple saves to deny Germany over the course of the game.
A series of mounting errors by Germany allowed the Czech Republic to slowly assume control, with Vasil Kusej setting up Vaclav Sejk for a tap-in from close range to open the scoring (33’). Germany head coach Antonio Di Salvo made the switch to two centre forwards during the break in order to turn the game around. Angelo Stiller was able to equalise with a precision shot from the top of the box in the 70th minute, but Germany were left empty-handed after conceding again in the 87th minute. Henning Matriciani was unlucky to deflect the ball into his own net, after Vitik got on the end of a corner.
With the defeat, the defending champions are currently on the brink of being eliminated from the tournament in the group stage for the first time since 2013. They now need to win their final group stage game against England U21s in order to keep their chances of advancing alive. At the same time, they need to hope that Israel U21s are able to beat the Czechs and for their goal difference to not better that of Di Salvo’s side. Should the two teams end level on goal difference, then a decision would be made based on the fair play rule.
- Wednesday, 28th June, 18:00 CEST in Batumi, Georgia: England U21s – Germany U21s (group stage, matchday 3)