England retain Euro U21s title with extra-time win over Germany

BBC News

6 hours ago

Update:
Date: 23:30 BST
Title: Over to you, Tuchel
Content: England 3-2 Germany
It's official. England's Young Lions have won back-to-back European Under-21 Championships - an impressive achievement.
And all in front of Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel.
This time next year Tuchel's England are expected to be competing at the World Cup.
Will he be taking any of Lee Carsley's Class of 2025 with him?
Goodnight.
Update:
Date: 23:27 BST
Title: 'Carsley believed in his squad'
Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany
Nigel Reo-CokerFormer England U21 captain on BBC Radio 5 Live
Lee Carsley believed in the squad that he assembled, to give the players that don't have as much experience the chance to go and get the job done. And they stood up to the mark.
Update:
Date: 23:26 BST
Title: 'What an achievement for Elliott and Cresswell'
Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany
Conor CoadyFormer England defender on Channel 4
It's incredible. These players will remember this moment forever. I think it is something that will stay with them forever in their future careers - no matter what they do or what clubs they go on to play for.
But for them two boys [Harvey Elliott and Charlie Cresswell], to have experienced it twice, what an achievement.
To win anything once is remarkable. To go and do it twice at a tournament of that size is absolutely sensational.
Update:
Date: 23:24 BST
Title: Post
Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany
England
This was Lee Carsley's reaction at full time.
Update:
Date: 23:22 BST
Title: 'A great achievement'
Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany
England
England boss Lee Carsley, speaking to Channel 4: "I'm so proud, not of myself but of the players and the commitment that they have shown the last 28 days. All the instruction we have tried to give to them, they have taken in on board so quickly. They have so much belief, this squad believe that they can win. And that is the kind of players we need.
"To be European champions for a second time is a great achievement and I supposed the challenge now is to do it again in two years."
On the challenges during the tournament: "Yes any setback that has come they have just got on with it. I told them that the longer we stay in the tournament, the better we play. I don't think we played great tonight. We sat a little too deep and didn't have as much control as we wanted but we won't remember that in a couple of days."
Update:
Date: 23:20 BST
Title: Champions of Europe
Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany
England
Update:
Date: 23:18 BST
Title: 'An even bigger feat than last time'
Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany
Conor CoadyFormer England defender on Channel 4
What might Lee Carsley be feeling now? This is an even bigger achievement than last time. That team had many players who went on to play for the senior team.
But this group has gone onto become a team during this tournament. That's a fantastic feeling.
Update:
Date: 23:15 BST
Title: 'Now let's celebrate'
Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany
England
England's Jonathan Rowe, speaking to Channel 4: "Everyone has been exceptional. The minute I came into the camp, everyone had the same mindset. Everyone wanted to win. And we have done that now."
On scoring the winning goal: "I am happy to make a difference tonight and get the team over the line. And I am happy to have done that in front of some important people tonight. Now let's celebrate."
Update:
Date: 23:13 BST
Title: Post
Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany
Qualifying for the 2027 tournament starts in September.
The likes of James Beadle, Archie Gray, Jack Hinshelwood and Ethan Nwaneri will be eligible to take part.
England's opponents in qualifying include Kazakhstan, Moldova, Andorra, the Republic of Ireland and Slovakia.
Update:
Date: 23:10 BST
Title: 'England found what they needed'
Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany
Stephen WarnockFormer England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live at Stadion Tehelne pole
Wow.
Just brilliant from England.
They were poor in the group stages, they struggled and then found their feet. They have managed to find their rhythm at the right time and managed to find what they needed as a team and a unit.
Lee Carsley tinkered back and forth and found the solution.
Update:
Date: 23:08 BST
Title: Get Involved
Content: #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
It's just so great. Unbelievably grit, borne out of St George's park. Believe in the process - it'll happen
Russell, Haringey
Update:
Date: 23:07 BST
Title: 'Well done England'
Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany
John MurrayBBC football correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Live at Stadion Tehelne pole
The players on the pitch almost disappear from sight as they lift the trophy because there is so much white and blue confetti out there.
Well done England.
Update:
Date: 23:06 BST
Title: Get Involved
Content: #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
In this decade so far the men's, women's and u21 games have seen eight major finals, and England have been involved in six of them: won 3 and lost 3. For all the criticism we level ourselves as a nation, no decade previous even comes close. Our last final of any kind was in 1984. We should celebrate where we are going as a nation, and that the 2020's are only half way through.
Lee, London
Update:
Date: 23:05 BST
Title: 'I love this job'
Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany
England
England boss Lee Carsley, speaking to Channel 4 about his recent contract extension and what is next: "I'm not sure. I'm going to try to enjoy tonight. I love the job I do and I love working with the players. I've had a chance with the senior team as well and loved that and the best thing I can do is to try and help the pathway to the senior team."
On celebrations: "We go back to the hotel for a couple of hours and then we fly back to Birmingham at 03:30, so a quick turnaround. The players will be on holiday tomorrow, their time off is very important too. It is important that they maybe have a shandy or two tonight."
Update:
Date: 23:03 BST
Title: Post
Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany
England
Remember, Lee Carsley recently signed a new contract with the Football Association to run until 2027.
England's young guns are in safe hands.
Update:
Date: 22:59 BST
Title: Get Involved - Sir Lee Carsley?
Content: #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Knighthood for Carsley! Results AND entertainment! What else!?
Stan
Incredible job by Carsley. So pleased for him. He's got to be next in line for the top job, surely
Ben, Canada
Update:
Date: 22:59 BST
Title: Champions of Europe
Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany
England
It's approaching midnight in Bratislava and England's players are still celebrating on the pitch.
Update:
Date: 22:55 BST
Title: 'What a night! What an effort!'
Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany
Joe HartFormer England goalkeeper on Channel 4
What a night! What an effort form these Young Lions. They should be so proud of themselves.
It's been an excellent performance. They started really well. They ebbed and flowed against a good German side. They had their backs against the wall in the closing stages but they need to be proud of this performance.
Update:
Date: 22:53 BST
Title: History makers
Content: England 3-2 Germany
England
James McAtee lifts the trophy into the Bratislava night sky.
Blue and white ticker tape fills the air.
There's a decent number of England fans who have travelled to Slovakia for this final and they're giving the players a standing ovation.
Update:
Date: 22:51 BST
Title: Elliott named player of the tournament
Content: FT: England 3-2 Germany
England
Harvey Elliott has just been named player of the tournament - and not just for his five goals. He's been such an important presence.
I don't think anyone is going to argue with that.