The Germany U21 national team, including Márton Dárdai and Jessic Ngankam, were unable to pick up a win in their first group game of the U21 European Championship. Antonio Di Salvo’s side drew 1-1 against Israel in their first game of the tournament in Georgia and Romania. Dor Turgemann (20’) put Guy Luzon’s side ahead, but six minutes later Yann Aurel Bisseck struck back to equalise (26’). “After that, we had full control of the game, but were missing precision. Lots of passes and crosses were too careless and our build-up play was at times too slow. We have to keep our heads high,” explained Germany’s head coach. While Dárdai watched the game from the bench, Ngankam was substituted on in the final period. After Youssoufa Moukoko had already missed a penalty (3’), Hertha’s attacker also faltered from the spot (80’). Germany didn’t pick up three points in the first game of the tournament for the first time since 2015.
Racist incidents overshadow match
After the match, disgusting and despicable insults were made on social media towards both players mentioned above. “I have to say that it is unacceptable for people to make anonymous comments on the internet and racially abuse our boys. That’s why I’m personally shocked and disappointed,” stressed Di Salvo. The national coach also added, “It’s now our job to get behind the boys. Of course I will talk to them, because I imagine the team is also concerned. Any kind of discrimination and racism is unacceptable!” Ngankam also commented, “Thank you for the encouraging comments and your support. It’s horrible that in 2023 there are still people who hide behind anonymous accounts to make racist comments. You can’t do anything to me. We are even closer together as a team now, and our focus is on the Czech Republic!”
Germany’s next group game is against the Czech Republic on Sunday (25/6, 18:00 CEST), who lost 2-0 against England in their opener.
| Date | Kick-off | Player | Game (Location) | Ergebnis |
| Mon, 12.06.2023 | 18:00 CEST | Márton Dárdai & Jessic Ngankam | Friendly South Tyrol XI – Germany U21s (Prad) | 0-7 |
| Fri, 16.06.2023 | Márton Dárdai & Jessic Ngankam | Friendly Germany U21s – Switzerland U21s | 3-1 | |
| Sat, 17.06.2023 | 20:45 CEST | Peter Pekarík | European Qualifying Iceland – Slovakia (Reykjavik) | 1-2 |
| Sat, 17.06.2023 | 20:45 CEST | Dodi Lukébakio | European Qualifying Belgium – Austria (Brussels) | 1-1 |
| Tue, 20.06.2023 | 20:45 CEST | Peter Pekarík | European Qualifying Liechtenstein – Slovakia (Vaduz) | 0-1 |
| Tue, 20.06.2023 | 20:45 CEST | Dodi Lukébakio | European Qualifying Estonia – Balgium (Tallinn) | 0-3 |
| Thu, 22.06.2023 | 18:00 CEST | Márton Dárdai & Jessic Ngankam | U21 EUROs Germany U21s – Israel U21s (Kutaisi) | 1-1 |
| Sun, 25.06.2023 | 18:00 CEST | Márton Dárdai & Jessic Ngankam | U21 EUROs Czech Republic U21s – Germany U21s (Batumi) | |
| Wed, 28.06.2023 | 18:00 CEST | Márton Dárdai & Jessic Ngankam | U21 EUROs England U21s – Germany U21s (Batumi) |