Antonio Di Salvo’s side produced some fine moments as they looked to bounce back from their opening group draw with Israel against a Czech side who lost their first game against England. Despite some stirring efforts from Josha Vagnoman and Angelo Stiller, however, the sprightly Czechs hit the front through a breakaway Vaclav Sejk goal. The second-half pressure eventually paid off for the defending champions when Stiller finished smartly from Henning Matriciani's assist. Yet the latter would have his head in his hands before the end, with Martin Vitik's prodded effort taking a deflection off the Schalke man before flying in in the 87th minute. The result left Germany in third spot in the standings on just one point and needing a win against table-toppers England, while hoping for a favour from Israel, in the final round of games.
Germany 1-1 Israel, Thursday 22 June
Germany were left wondering what might have been after having two penalties saved in a 1-1 draw against 10-man Israel in their opening game. Youssoufa Moukoko missed from the spot with just two minutes on the clock, before Israel broke the deadlock against the run of play through Dor Turgeman's fine finish (20'). Yann Bisseck equalised with a header a short while later and momentum swung further in Germany's favour when Eden Karzev was sent off on the stroke of half-time. However, try as they might, Di Salvo's side could not find a way through in the second half, with Jessic Ngankam also seeing a penalty saved in the closing stages.
England 2-0 Germany, Wednesday 28 June
Germany needed a win in their final Group C fixture to have any chance of reaching the quarter-finals, but suffered an early setback when England took the lead in just the fourth minute, Cameron Archer applying a clinical finish to a swift attack. An already difficult task was made that much harder just a quarter of an hour later when Harvey Elliot doubled the Three Lions' advantage with a low drive on the counter-attack. Germany had several chances to change the scoreline, with Stiller and Schade going close, but it was not to be for Di Salvo's side, who now bow out of the tournament.
As it happened!
2 - 0
(0 - 0)
England
FINAL
Germany
UEFA European Championship Group C Group C Adjarabet Arena, Batumi, Georgia
All over
Germany's time at the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship is over following this defeat. They played well in brief spells against England and had a number of chances to score, but were unable to make them count. Israel's win over Czech Republic in the other Group C game means Germany bow out of the competition in fourth place in the section.
Schade connects well with a cross from the left but his head is straight at Trafford, who makes the save.
90'
Big save from Trafford!
Lovely skill and pace from Schade to outfox his marker, sprint down the right and get into the England box. He lays the ball off for Becker, whose shot is deflected and appears to be going in, only for Trafford to adjust his position quickly and claw the ball away.
86'
Stiller again!
Another opening for Germany after some quick passing on the edge of the area but Stiller's drive goes well wide of the goal.
82'
Over from Stiller
Stiller takes the free-kick but his left-footed curler is always rising and sails well over the crossbar.
Schade is fouled just outside the England penalty area, right of centre. It's a free-kick in a promising position...
77'
Wide from Garner
Almost a third goal from England as they break forward down the left before quickly working the ball over to the right and into the path of Garner, who is charging into the box. He's just put off by a defender's outstretched leg though, and can only smash a shot into the side netting.
73'
No way through
Germany can't be faulted for effort. They're harrying and hounding England in midfield and pressing with intensity, but they just can't get hold of the ball for long enough to do any serious damage going forward.
In need of some new ideas going forward, Germany turn to Frankfurt winger Alidou and Hertha attacker Ngankam as they seek a lifeline in this game, and in the tournament.
Germany get themselves into trouble with a loose pass as they play out from the back, and England almost make them pay, only for Netz to block Palmer's shot. Moments later the ball is played back into the danger zone, but Archer doesn't connect with his attempted shot from six yards.
59'
Triple change
England make three substitutions at once with a view to keeping legs fresh ahead of their quarter-final meeting with Portugal.
Germany just can't get hold of the ball at the moment. England are enjoying 60 percent of possession, largely just shifting it from left to right and back again and only occasionally getting forward.
53'
Chance for Elliot
And then all of a sudden England inject some pace again, attacking down the right. The ball is pulled back for Elliot, whose shot from the edge of the area is saved for a corner.
52'
England in no rush
With the onus on Germany to come at them, England are happy to play the ball around in defence. The tempo of the game has dropped off in the last few minutes.
48'
One change at the break
England have the same XI they started the match with, but Germany made one change during the interval with Netz coming on for Matriciani, who appeared to be suffering with knee trouble towards the end of the first half.
The match has not gone as planned for Germany, who fell behind to an early goal. They have had chances though, and with some more clinical finishing they can find a way back into this game. A big second half coming up for them now.
A glorious chance for Germany to reduce the deficit on the stroke of half-time as Schade's pace takes him beyond the England defence down the right. He gets a shot away but it rolls just the wrong side of the far post.
42'
Off the line!
England go close to a third has Palmer gets a shot away inside a crowded box, but it's hooked off the line just in time.
38'
Big save from Atubolu!
More good play from Madueke down England's right wing as his pace and trickery takes him away from a couple of Germany shirts. He slides a pass in for Archer, who immediatley smashes a shot at goal. Atubolu gets both hands behind it to make the save - that was almost a carbon copy of England's first goal.
35'
Matriciani down
Now Germany's left-back is sitting on the ground and is receiving treatment on his left knee. He indicates that he's alright to continue playing though.
33'
Bisseck to the rescue again!
Madueke twists and turns his way past Matriciani before getting to the byline and smashing the ball across the face of goal. It only needs a touch to go in, but Bisseck reads the danger and slides in to clear.
32'
Schade chance!
Nice work from Matriciani on the left as he again gets to the byline and crosses into the middle. The ball comes to Schade, but his shot from eight yards deflects off a defender, loops up and is gathered by the goalkeeper.
29'
As it stands
Israel and Czech Republic are currently drawing 0-0 in the other Group C fixture today, meaning the latter would go through to the quarter-finals as runners-up on four points. Germany would finish fourth with one point.
26'
Brilliant Bisseck!
Madueke scampers down England's right and into the box. He's got a clear sight of goal and just as he's shaping to shoot, Bisseck slides in with a last-ditch tackle and manages to block what would have been a third England goal.
21'
England double their lead
Just seconds after Fischer has a low shot saved at one end of the pitch, England execute a ruthless counter-attack. Elliot is given time and space to run at the defence before driving a left-footed shot into the corner from just inside the box.
Schade digs out a cross from the right and finds Weißhaupt at the back post. He takes a touch and gets a shot away but it's deflected wide of the post by a defender.
18'
Next opportunity
Archer has another effort on goal following some swift one-touch passing around the edge of Germany's penalty area. His low effort is well saved by Atubolu, though.
Contrasting emotions
England's players celebrate their opener as Germany's Tom Krauß digests the early setback.
The Stuttgart defender is sitting on the turf and is shaking his head - it doesn't look like he'll be able to continue. It appears to be a muscular complaint of some sort as there was no other player involved when he went to ground.
9'
Almost another
Ramsey receives the ball on the left-hand side of the Germany box. He drills an angled shot low towards the far post but the ball rolls just wide of the upright.
8'
Chance for Germany!
It's a Schalke link-up as Matriciani gets to the byline on the left and pulls the ball back into the middle for Krauß, who's arriving into the box. He takes on the volley near the penalty spot but doesn't make a clean connection and the ball bounces wide.
7'
Three Lions on top
England may already be guaranteed top spot in Group C but they're not taking this game lately - quite the opposite. They've begun on the front foot and are forcing Germany back deep into their own half. Can Di Salvo's charges weather this storm without conceding again?
5'
England lead
Ramsey spots his teammate's run and curls a lovely ball behind the Germany defence for Archer to chase. His pace is too much for the defenders and he coolly slots the ball past Atubolu from 16 yards out.
Still only seconds on the clock but England have the first opening of the game - and it's a good one too. Archer makes a diagonal run into the box, collecting the ball on the right and immediately getting a shot away from 12 yards. Atubolu makes a good save, however, and keeps it out.
1'
Here we go!
England get the ball rolling! Can Germany get the win they need?
Kick-off!
Anthems!
The teams are out on the pitch and going through the pre-match formalities. Kick-off just moments away now!
No Moukoko
Borussia Dortmund forward Youssoufa Moukoko anf Freiburg defender Kenneth Schmidt will play no part today as both are carrying knocks.
Former Bayern Munich youth team player and current Hoffenheim midfielder Angelo Stiller (l.) was on target for Germany last time out. Can he have an impact today today?
Should Germany win and manage to stay ahead of the Czech Republic in the final Group C standings, they will go through to the quarter-finals in the runners-up spot. That will set up up a tie against tournament co-hosts Georgia on Saturday 1 July.
State of play
Defending champions Germany have just one point on the board from their opening two games in Group C. England on six points are already through as group winners, while the Czech Republic sit between them on three. It means Germany must win in Batumi and hope that the Czechs lose to Israel in Kutaisi at the same time. The Czechs' victory over Germany on Sunday means they will come out ahead in the case of equal points.
Welcome!
Thanks for joining us for live coverage of Germany's final group game at the UEFA European U21 Championship. It's the big one up against the old nemesis England and it's quite simply a must-win encounter for Antonio Di Salvo's side.
Squad
Countries have named squads of 23 players for the tournament. Only players born on or after 1 January 2000 are eligible.
