As the anticipation builds for the European Under-21 Championship final between Germany and England on Saturday, September 13, 2025, the footballing world finds itself captivated not only by the on-field drama but also by an unexpected off-field controversy. The German Under-21 squad, riding high after a string of impressive victories, has been forced to address allegations of beer mug theft following their semi-final win over France in Kosice. Meanwhile, the football spotlight in England and France has also turned to Manchester City’s new signing, Rayan Cherki, whose dazzling debut and subsequent injury have drawn both praise and concern from fans and pundits alike.
The build-up to Saturday’s final took an unusual turn after Germany’s victory over France. According to Bild, as reported by The Sun, a woman identified as a VIP hostess at the Kosicka Futbalova Arena confronted the German team coach, visibly distressed and accusing the players of stealing beer mugs. She reportedly brushed past stewards and even an armed security guard in her determination to approach the vehicle and take photographs. The incident left onlookers bewildered and cast a momentary shadow over Germany’s otherwise sterling campaign.
Markus Beer, the German Under-21 press officer, was quick to set the record straight. “It was all completely different. The woman had brought several beer mugs into the catacombs, presumably for the referees. Then later, empty mugs were there, which were suddenly gone,” Beer explained, according to The Sun. The German camp has firmly denied any wrongdoing, suggesting the mugs may have vanished without the players’ knowledge. Regardless of the outcome, the episode has added an unexpected subplot to what was already shaping up to be a dramatic final weekend.
On the pitch, Germany’s Under-21 team has been nothing short of dominant throughout the tournament. Heading into the final, they have maintained a perfect record, dispatching every opponent in their path. Their group stage encounter with England ended in a 2-1 victory for the Germans, setting the tone for their campaign. The quarter-finals saw them edge past Italy in a tense match that required extra time. In the semi-finals, Germany wasted no time, racing to a 2-0 lead over France within the first fifteen minutes thanks to clinical finishes from Nelson Wieper and Nick Woltemade. Brighton’s rising star Brajan Gruda put the result beyond doubt with a late goal, sealing a commanding 3-0 win.
England’s journey to the final has been far less straightforward, marked by grit, resilience, and a touch of good fortune. The Young Lions scraped through the group stage with just four points from three matches, but found their rhythm when it mattered most. Their quarter-final victory over Spain echoed the drama of the 2023 final, with England showing nerves of steel to progress. In the semi-finals, Harvey Elliott emerged as the hero, netting both goals in a hard-fought 2-1 triumph over the Netherlands. Reflecting on his match-winning performance, Elliott told The Sun, “You can speak as much as you want on the pitch, you can say whatever, but at the end of the day when the moment comes and you need to show up, and you need to, for example, in my situation, score a goal. It’s about how you take that, and those opportunities are vital. Today I’m just so chuffed I was able to chip in and net the two goals to secure us the win.”
While Germany’s path has been marked by consistency and firepower, England’s has been defined by resilience and timely moments of brilliance. The final promises not only a clash of footballing philosophies but also a test of mental fortitude, especially with the specter of the beer mug incident still lingering in the background. For Germany, the focus remains on maintaining their flawless record and putting the controversy behind them. For England, it’s an opportunity to avenge their earlier group stage defeat and claim European glory.
Beyond the Under-21 final, the footballing world has been abuzz with the rise of Rayan Cherki, the 22-year-old French attacking midfielder who recently joined Manchester City from Lyon for a reported £30 million. Cherki made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut against Wolves, only to be sidelined by an untimely injury that kept him out of action for two months. Despite this setback, Cherki’s potential has not gone unnoticed—especially by former Manchester City player and current U21 French national team coach, Gaël Clichy.
In an interview with RMC Sport, Clichy lavished praise on the young midfielder, drawing a bold comparison to one of City’s all-time greats. “If we’re talking about quality, I’ve never seen a player this good. It’s a big statement, but I really believe that if he improves his off-the-ball game, he can reach the numbers of Kevin De Bruyne,” Clichy said. Such words carry weight, especially from a player who has witnessed the evolution of Manchester City from within and now guides the next generation of French talent.
Clichy was quick to highlight Cherki’s ability to create danger in key areas of the pitch, a trait that could prove invaluable for City following the departures of attacking stalwarts such as Sterling, Mahrez, and Sané. However, he also identified a key area for improvement. “He has to show that he can perform without the ball. That was his weakness in France, and it’s what people are noticing in England. If Pep can help him develop in this aspect, it will be a huge advantage,” Clichy observed. The challenge for Cherki will be to translate his raw talent into consistent performances, especially in the high-pressure environment of the Premier League.
The dual narratives of the Under-21 European Championship final and Cherki’s Premier League breakthrough underscore the vibrancy and unpredictability of European football in 2025. For Germany and England, the final represents the culmination of months of preparation and the chance to etch their names into the history books. For Cherki, it is the beginning of what many hope will be a storied career at the highest level.
As the teams prepare to walk out onto the pitch in Kosice, the stakes could hardly be higher. Will Germany’s perfect run continue, or can England summon one last surge of determination? And as Cherki recovers from injury and eyes a return to the Manchester City lineup, the football world waits to see if Clichy’s bold prediction will come to pass. One thing is certain: the beautiful game, with all its drama and unpredictability, shows no signs of slowing down.
