U21 European Championship: Koné wins, a draw for Netz

Manu Koné and the France U21 national team had a successful start to the U21 Euros, beating Italy 2-1, while Luca Netz and Germany drew 1-1 against Israel.

France U21s

The France U21 national side secured a 2-1 win over Italy in their first group game on Thursday evening. Manu Koné (Photo: imago images/NurPhoto) was in the starting eleven and was substituted off after 85 minutes. The midfielder impressed with his 90 percent passing rate and 61 percent tackling rate, picking up the Player of the Match award after the game.

France took the lead thanks to a dream goal, when Arnaud Kalimuendo back heeled a low cross just inside the post to make it 1-0 (22’). The Italians needed a set piece to get on the score board. Pietro Pellegri headed in a free kick taken from the halfway line to equalise (36’), “Les Bleus” were wary of the counter attack after the break and made the most of their first opportunity, when Bradley Barcola made a run towards goal and scored to make it 2-1, meaning France started the tournament with a win. Their next match is against Norway on Sunday (20:45 CEST).

• 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)

Germany U21s

Luca Netz and the Germany U21s had to accept a 1-1 draw against Israel in their first game. Borussia’s left-back, who started the game, played for 84 minutes before he was replaced by Noah Weißhaupt. The initial period was dominated by Germany, who were awarded a penalty after just two minutes. Youssoufa Moukoko stepped up, but was denied by Israel’s goalkeeper Daniel Peretz (3’). Israel got into the game afterwards, and Yann Aurel Bisseck played in Dor Turgemann on the edge of the box, who finished to give them the lead (20’).

Germany had to pick themselves up again and they equalised just six minutes after going behind. Following a free kick taken by Ben Stiller, the ball came to Bisseck and he headed in to make it 1-1 (26’). Since Eden Karzev, who had already been booked for a foul, was shown a second yellow card (45’+1), Antonio Di Salvo’s team had the entire second half with one more player on the pitch to turn the result around. Moukoko (54’) and Yannik Keitel (55’) came close to giving Germany the lead, and Jessic Ngankam didn’t have luck on his side either. Like Moukoko, the attacker couldn’t convert from the penalty spot after Peretz saved once again (80’), with the goalkeeper picking up the Player of the Match award after the game. Germany picked up a point in the end, and their next group game is against the Czech Republic on Sunday (18:00 CEST).

• 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)