Future is bright - England is the champion of Europe!

Dominance Confirmed! What the Germans and Spaniards once were — with three titles each between 2009 and 2021 — before them the Dutch (back-to-back crowns in 2006 and 2007) and the Italians (four-time champions during the ’90s) — now it’s the English! The absolute rulers of Europe in the under-21 category.

Two years ago in Georgia and Romania, they conquered Europe by defeating Spain in the final. Last night in Bratislava, they brought Germany to their knees and defended the throne with a 3–2 win after extra time.

Lee Carsley’s squad repeated the feat of the generation from the early ’80s (Wolton, Fenwick, Simeon, and company), which won the trophy for best young team in Europe twice in a row. The Germans conceded two early goals rather easily, looking somewhat confused on the pitch.

They managed to rally and equalize before halftime but ran out of strength — and luck — for a full comeback. With the score tied 2–2, in the 4th minute of added time, Germany’s best player of the night, Paul Nebel, hit the crossbar. At that moment, fortune turned its back on Frank Di Santo’s team for the first time.

Something similar happened in the second period of extra time. Specifically, at the 121st minute, the ball fell to Merlin Rohl, the Freiburg forward, who instinctively volleyed — only to strike the post once again.

The edge went, it seems, to Lee Carsley’s deeper and stronger bench. In fact, all three players involved in creating the third goal came off the bench — Illing Junior, Tyler Morton, and the hero Jonathan Rowe, who slipped past two German defenders, beat the offside trap, and scored the decisive 3–2.

For several years now, it has been clear that England is producing very talented young players. Alongside the best academies on the island, several serious stars have grown up in the German Bundesliga, and a quick look at the current squad — which includes several established Premier League players (Livramento, McAtee, Elliot, Quansah) — suggests this team could easily compete with some senior national sides.

Probably the tournament’s biggest attraction and top scorer with six goals — the towering Nick Woltemade — was well contained by the English defenders. There’s no doubt that this contributed significantly to the outcome.

U-21 European Championship Final

England - Germany 3-2 AET (2-2)

/Elliott 5, Hutchinson 24, Rowe 92 - Weiper 45+1, Nebel 61/