Arne Maier and his teammates celebrate the first goal.
First team | June 4, 2021, 12:10 PM

Arne Maier and Germany into the U21 Euro final

Arne Maier and Germany U21s will face Portugal in the final of the European Championship on Sunday. In a showdown with teammate Javairô Dilrosun last night, Maier & Germany ran out 2-1 winners thanks to an early Florian Wirtz brace. His first goal in Székesfehérvár came after just 30 seconds and he added a second goal in the eighth minute. “We started brilliantly and could have sealed the win a lot earlier on. We had good control of the game for large parts and created a number of good chances,” analysed captain Maier.

Dárdai in the stadium – Dilrosun on the losing side

Germany looked to add a third goal – under the watchful eye of our head coach Pál Dárdai in the stadium – and came very close on several occasions. Mergim Berisha hit the woodwork three times across the 90 minutes, including twice on the hour mark. Perr Schuurs got the Netherlands back in the game in the 67th minute, who brought Dilrosun on after 58 minutes. They pushed for an equaliser, however Stefan Kuntz’s side held firm to book their place in the final. “After their goal, it was a real fight, but we withstood the pressure. Now we want to win Sunday’s final against Portugal,” stated Arne Maier.

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After their goal, it was a real fight, but we withstood the pressure. Now we want to win Sunday’s final against Portugal
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-Arne Maier

Portugal in the final

The final on Sunday against Portugal will take place at 21:00 CEST in Ljubljana, Slovenia. They beat Spain 1-0 in the first semi-final and have had an extremely impressive tournament so far. They knocked out Italy 5-3 in extra time in the quarterfinals, having not conceded a goal in their group games against Croatia (1-0), England (2-0) and Switzerland (3-0). It certainly won’t be easy for Maier & Co., although they have already proven what they are capable of during this campaign.

by Hertha BSC