U21 European Championship begins for Netz and Koné

In Luca Netz and Manu Koné, two Borussia players are competing with their respective national sides in the U21 European Championship in Georgia and Romania. Both Germany and France start their campaigns on Thursday.

Germany U21s

The first group game of the U21 European Championship is nearly here for Borussia’s left back Luca Netz and the Germany U21 national team. The 20-year-old made his debut for the U21s in October 2021 and since then has made eight appearances (four friendlies and four Euro qualifiers), but now it’s time for him to play on the big stage. “It’s a chance for me to prove myself,” said Netz. Germany have previously been in the final three times and been victorious twice, in 2017 and 2021. They are now looking to achieve this feat again. “The fact is, however, that this team isn’t the defending champions, but another one is,” said head coach Antonio Di Salvo, who was assistant coach to Stefan Kuntz at the last two Euros and will now be head coach for his first European Championship. His team will face the Czech Republic, England and Israel, the latter of whom are their first opponents in Group C on Thursday evening. Germany will play against Czech Republic on Sunday, before facing England on Wednesday, 28th June. All the games start at 18:00 CEST.

• Thursday, 22nd June, 18:00 CEST, in Kutaisi, Georgia: Germany U21s – Israel U21s (Euro group stage)
• Sunday, 25th June, 18:00 CEST, in Batumi, Georgia: Czech Republic U21s – Germany U21s (Euro group stage)
• Wednesday, 28th June, 18:00 CEST, in Batumi, Georgia: England U21s – Germany U21s (Euro group stage)

France U21s

After a successful dress rehearsal for the France U21 national team against Mexico (1-0), Borussia’s midfielder Manu Koné and his teammates now start the European Championship. Koné has been part of the France U21s squad for just over a year and has made seven appearances so far (four friendlies, three Euro qualifiers). Head coach Sylvian Ripoll’s team will face Italy, Norway and Switzerland in the group stage. In their opening match on Thursday, France will face Italy, before coming up against Norway on Sunday and finally Switzerland on Wednesday 28th June, with all matches kicking off at 20:45 CEST).

• Thursday, 22nd June, 20:45 CEST, in Cluj-Napoca, Romania: France U21s – Italy U21s (Euro group stage)
• Sunday, 25th June, 20:45 CEST, in Cluj-Napoca, Romania: Norway U21s – France U21s (Euro group stage)
• Wednesday, 28th June, 20:45 CEST, in Cluj-Napoca, Romania: Switzerland U21s – France U21s (Euro group stage)