England to Meet Germany in Euro U21 Final: A Look Back at Their Past Meetings in the Competition

Defending champions England will take on Germany in the U21 European Championship final on Sunday, June 29. It will be their first clash with Germany in the Euro U21 final since the embarrassing defeat in 2009. 

England U21 booked their place in the final on June 25, beating the Netherlands 2-1 in the semi-finals. Liverpool star Harvey Elliott scored both goals for England U21.

Germany U21, meanwhile, faced the mighty France later that night. In a commanding display of efficiency and precision, the Germans secured an emphatic 3-0 victory. Nelson Weiper, Nick Woltemade, and Brajan Gruda each scored a goal against Les Bleus.

England have had their fair share of brushes with Germany in the Euro U21 over the years. Ahead of Sunday’s final at the National Football Stadium, SportsCasting takes a look at all seven of their past meetings in the competition.

England vs Germany In the Euro U21: Complete Head-to-Head Record

Euro U21 Final 1982

First Leg: England 3-1 Germany

England and Germany’s first competitive meeting in the Euro U21 came in the final of 1982. In the first leg of the now-scrapped two-legged final, the Young Lions struck in the 13th minute, with Gary Owen netting the opener. England doubled their money just before the hour mark, as Justin Fashanu found the net. Then, in the 70th minute, Gary Owen scored from the penalty spot, making it 3-0 for the hosts at Hillsborough.

Germany, however, refused to roll over. They got one back through Rudi Voller in the 82nd minute, keeping intrigue alive for the second leg.

Second Leg: Germany 3-2 England

Germany and England played out an intense first half at Weserstadion, with neither managing to find the breakthrough.

Seven minutes into the second half, Pierre Littbarski scored the opener for the Germans. England, however, did not trail for long, equalising thanks to a goal from Mike Duxbury in the 59th minute. In the 77th minute, Paul Goddard gave the visitors the lead, but the Germans fought back. Littbarski scored in quick succession (79′, 84′) to seal a 3-2 win for Germany on the night.

On aggregate, it finished 5-4 in England’s favour, giving them their first Euro U21 championship.

Germany 1-1 England: Euro U21 Group B Clash 2009

Germany and England were pitted in Group B of the 2009 Euro U21 Championship. Die Mannschaft, featuring the likes of Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Sami Khedira, and Mesut Ozil, scored the opening goal. Gonzalo Castro’s right-footed effort proved too hot to handle for Scott Loach.

England restored parity in the 30th minute, thanks to an excellent header from Jack Rodwell. Both teams created match-winning chances, but neither could find the breakthrough, resulting in a 1-1 draw.

Germany 4-0 England: Euro U21 Final 2009

Germany and England met once more in 2009, battling for the Euro U21 title in the final. The Germans once again scored the first goal, with Gonzalo Castro finishing off Mesut Ozil’s delivery. But unlike last time, England could not fight their way back.

Six of Germany's 2014 World Cup-winning squad played in the side which beat England 4-0 in the 2009 #U21EURO pic.twitter.com/5XPUSjT0N3

— UEFA U21 EURO (@UEFAUnder21) June 20, 2015

Minutes into the second half, England gave away a free-kick, and Ozil scored directly from the set-piece to make it 2-0. The former Real Madrid playmaker added another assist to his tally, setting up Sandro Wagner in the 79th minute. Five minutes later, Wagner wheeled away in celebration as Germany U21 landed their final blow, bagging a 4-0 win.

Germany 6-5 England (on Penalties): Euro U21 Semi-Final 2017

After an eight-year hiatus, England and Germany clashed once more, locking horns in the Euro U21 semi-final in 2017. Davie Selke landed the first blow for Germany in the semi-final, but Demarai Gray restored parity for the Young Lions before half time.

After the break, Tammy Abraham — one of the top five scorers for Chelsea after 50 appearances — gave England the lead. But a header from Felix Platte made it 2-2 at Stadium Miejski.

⏰ RESULT ⏰

🇩🇪 Germany beat England 4-3 on penalties to reach the #U21EURO final!#ENGGER pic.twitter.com/tkpvvpp4ZE

— UEFA U21 EURO (@UEFAUnder21) June 27, 2017

With nothing to separate the two teams, the game went to penalties. Germany’s Yannick Gerhardt and England’s Abraham missed consecutive spot kicks. The Germans went on to convert their next three, while England’s final kick-taker, Nathan Redmond, saw his effort saved.

England 2-0 Germany: Euro U21 Group C Clash 2023

After suffering consecutive defeats to Germany, England finally had a positive result in the 2023 Euro U21 championship.

Cameron Archer drew first blood for England in the fourth minute, applying a clinical right-footed finish. In the 21st minute, Harvey Elliott, who will play his second U21 Euro final this Sunday, made it 2-0. Germany created a few chances, but their finishing let them down.

Holders Germany eliminated; England into the last 8 with 100% record…#U21EURO pic.twitter.com/6rC6DmNsLB

— UEFA U21 EURO (@UEFAUnder21) June 28, 2023

England, of course, went all the way in 2023, winning Euro U21 for the first time since 1984.

Germany 2-1 England: Euro U21 Group B Clash 2025

England and Germany will be familiar with each other’s tricks this Sunday, courtesy of their Group B meeting early in the tournament.

Ansgar Knauff, who plies his trade at Eintracht Frankfurt, landed the first blow for Germany. His clinical finish in the third minute put Antonio Di Salvo’s side 1-0 up. Just past the half-hour mark, Nelson Weiper headed in Germany’s second goal.

Lee Carsley’s men pulled one back in the 76th minute, with Alex Scott hitting the back of the net. Unfortunately for the Young Lions, Scott’s strike could not fuel a comeback.

Final Head-to-Head Record (Matches Counted)

Germany – 4 Wins

England – 2 Wins