DARMSTADT, Germany - The U21 international friendly witnessed Germany emerge victorious with a score of 2-1 against Spain on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the Stadion am Böllenfalltor. This encounter was not just a mere exhibition; it served as a crucial preparatory match ahead of the UEFA U-21 European Championship scheduled for June 2025 in Slovakia.
Germany entered this match riding high after a 1-0 victory over Slovakia, achieved thanks to a goal from Brajan Gruda just a few days prior. Coach Antonio Di Salvo's squad was eager to build on their winning momentum against a historically strong Spanish side. Meanwhile, Spain, steered by Santi Denia, sought redemption after a 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic, where they struggled to maintain control and ended up bouncing back late in the game.
The match kicked off at 20:30 CET, echoing with excitement as both teams took to the field. It quickly became evident that Germany's Nick Woltemade, a standout forward from Stuttgart, was poised to make an impact. He scored the opening goal in the 3rd minute with a remarkable chipped shot over Spanish goalkeeper Alejandro Iturbe, showcasing both skill and composure.
Despite struggling in the early exchanges, Spain managed to find their footing and responded well. Gabri Veiga leveled the scoreline in the 19th minute. He took full advantage of a defensive error from Germany prompted by an incursion from left-back Álex Valle. Veiga's precise left-footed strike found the bottom corner, much to the delight of the Spanish contingent.
The half ended in a 1-1 stalemate, with both nations displaying their talents but also highlighting areas needing improvement. Spain found it challenging to consistently break down Germany's organized defense, while Germany's attacking threats were mostly centered around Woltemade. As the first half concluded, the teams retreated to their benches for some much-needed tactical adjustments.
The second half commenced with substitutions; Germany brought on Oermann to replace Rosenfelder, who had sustained a slight injury. The tactical switch did not alter Germany's dominant approach as they continued to apply pressure on the Spanish backline without hesitation.
Stepping up their game considerably, Woltemade struck again in the 67th minute, capitalizing on a low cross from left winger Nebel, sealing Germany's 2-1 lead. His ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities solidified him as the standout player of the match. Although Spain attempted to double their efforts, including a near-miss from Jesús Rodríguez whose shot skimmed the far post, they ultimately failed to convert further chances.
This friendly match, part of the build-up for the UEFA U-21 European Championship, provided a real test of skills and tactics that both teams needed ahead of the competition. Coach Santi Denia remarked post-match that “every game is a stepping stone, and against Germany, it’s vital to learn from our defensive lapses that cost us results. We have time to work before the European Championship.”
Both teams' performances will be under scrutiny as they prepare for the Euro, where Germany is drawn alongside England, Czech Republic, and Slovenia, while Spain will face Italy, Slovakia, and Romania.
The match demonstrated the intensity and caliber expected from the upcoming European Championship, with the Rojita having to address their defensive deficiencies as they look to elevate their game for tournament success.
As for the broadcast, soccer fans in Spain were able to catch the live-action coverage of the match on La 2 and streaming via RTVE Play, ensuring widespread viewership across audiences both locally and abroad.
In the end, while Spain may have left the field with heads down after defeat, the experience gained will surely serve as motivation for the youngsters as they prepare for what lies ahead in the Euro tournament, aiming to capture a title that has eluded them since 2019.
