Preview: Germany Under-21s vs Slovenia Under-21s - prediction, team news, lineups

Germany Under-21s and Slovenia Under-21s square off in their opening fixture of the 2025 European Championship at Stadion pod Zoborom on Thursday.

The two nations, who are preparing for their first competitive meeting against one another, are joined in Group B by defending champions England and Czech Republic.

Match preview

After reaching three successive European Championship finals from 2017 to 2021, winning their third title in the latter year, Germany suffered a surprising and disappointing group-stage exit at the 2023 tournament, failing to progress to the knockout rounds for the first time in a decade.

Antonio Di Salvo's side will have a point to prove in Slovakia, as they are without a win in their last five Euros group matches and will be seeking revenge against both England and Czech Republic, who beat them in the group stage two years ago.

Die Nationalelf’s attention must first turn to their opening clash with Slovenia and they head into Thursday’s fixture boasting a 15-game unbeaten run in all competitions (W12 D3), including eight wins out of 10 in Euros qualifying before beating Slovakia (1-0) and Spain (3-1) in friendlies three months ago.

Blessed with a number of Bundesliga players, Germany will fancy their chances of claiming maximum points from their Group B opener, while they will also be boosted by the fact that their only defeat in their first group-stage game at the Euros was back in 2013 against the Netherlands (3-2).

While Germany are gearing up for their 11th appearance at the European Championships, Slovenia have only participated in one previous tournament which they co-hosted with Hungary in 2021, exiting at the group stage without a win in three games.

Indeed, the 2025 tournament represents the first time that Slovenia have successfully advanced through qualifying; they won five of their eight fixtures and secured top spot in their group ahead of France, despite losing 4-0 and drawing 1-1 in home and away meetings with Les Bleus.

Head coach Andrej Razdrh was appointed in February and is still searching for his first win in charge of the Little Dragons, after being held to a 1-1 friendly draw by Ukraine in March, four days before losing 1-0 to Finland in their most recent match.

Slovenia have made themselves difficult to beat over the last few years, as that loss to Finland represents just one of three defeats across their last 16 internationals (W7 D6). Another dogged display is required if they are to pull off an upset in their group opener with Germany and win their first-ever match at the finals.

Germany Under-21s form (all competitions):

W D W D W W

Slovenia Under-21s form (all competitions):

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Team News

After making his senior international debut for Germany in the UEFA Nations League earlier this month, Stuttgart forward Nick Woltemade has returned to the Under-21s set-up and is expected to lead the line - he scored 12 goals in 28 Bundesliga matches in the 2024-25 season and also netted a hat-trick in the aforementioned win over Spain three months ago.

Eintracht Frankfurt’s Ansgar Knauff, Brighton’s Brajan Gruda and Mainz’s Paul Nebel could all provide support in the final third, while captain Eric Martel and Rocco Reitz are the most likely duo to link arms in centre-midfield.

As for Slovenia, Razdrh may decide to match Germany and deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation, with uncapped duo Relja Obric and Lovro Golic of Atalanta and Roma respectively pushing for a start in central defence alongside Srdan Kuzmic.

Tio Cipot was Slovenia’s top scorer in qualifying with six goals and he is expected to operate on the left flank, joining Martin Pecar, Tjas Begic and Jaka Cuber Potocnik in the final third.

Germany Under-21s possible starting lineup:

Atubolu; Thielmann, Rosenfelder, Arrey-Mbi, Brown; Martel, Reitz; Knauff, Gruda, Nebel; Woltemade

Slovenia Under-21s possible starting lineup:

Turk; Ilenic, Obric, Kuzmic, Milic; Pisek, Ostrc; Begic, Pecar, Cipot; Potocnik

We say: Germany Under-21s 2-0 Slovenia Under-21s

It is difficult to envisage Slovenia pulling off an upset against a strong-looking Germany outfit who will be regarded as firm favourites to claim maximum points. The Little Dragons may frustrate Die Nationalelf in spells, but Di Salvo's side should ultimately find a way to outscore their opponents.

Written by
Oliver Thomas

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