Mitchell Weiser scores title winner for Germany

Berlin/Krakow – Germany's youngsters have done it! Stefan Kuntz's team won the U21 European Championship on Friday evening (30/06/17) after beating Spain 1-0 in the final. The winning goal was scored by Hertha's Mitchell Wieser just before half-time. His club teammate Niklas Stark also started the match, but new signing Davie Selke was forced to miss the match through injury.

Spain, who were previously unbeaten in the tournament, started the match strongly, but Weiser had a shot saved in the sixth minute and then Meyer struck the post with a header.  A shot from range from captain Maximilian Arnold also threaten the Spanish goal. Germany had the better chances in the first half, with Serge Gnabry unable to convert a good double chance from close range in the 21st minute. Germany coped with Spain's quick passing game well and took the lead in the 40th minute thanks to a superb header from Mitchell Weiser which looped over the keeper and into the far, bottom corner.

Germany keep Spain at arm's length

Spain began the second 45 minutes with great intensity and intent. However, Germany limited the pre-tournament favourites to very few chances. Saul Niguez's ferocious shot from the edge of the box was well saved by Pollersbeck in the 58th minute. Then the Germans came back into the match, Gnabry's shot was saved by Arrizabalaga and Kempf's header from the resulting corner only just missed the target. Germany withstood a late Spanish onslaught with masterful defending to lift their second European U21 Championship.

The three Hertha players involved in the tournament will now have two and a half weeks off before they return for pre-season training, joining up with the rest of the lads in Berlin on 17th July.