Germany Under-21s and Portugal Under-21s will lock horns in Sunday evening's UEFA European Under-21 Championship final in Ljubljana.

Die Mannschaft will be looking to claim their third European crown at this level, while the Esperancas will be hoping to lift the trophy for the first time.

Match preview

Germany are through to their third successive final – equalling Italy's previous record (1992, 1994 and 1996) – courtesy of a narrow 2-1 victory against the Netherlands on Thursday.

After failing to score a first-half goal in the first four matches of their European Championship campaign, Germany came out of the blocks in emphatic fashion against the Dutch, with Florian Wirtz scoring twice in the opening eight minutes, his first tapped in from close range after just 29 seconds.

Wirtz drilled in his second from the edge of the penalty area before Mergim Berisha came close to adding a third in the 19th minute, but his right-footed curling free-kick hit the inside of the post. Berisha then struck the post again with a left-footed shot midway through the second half, seconds before he headed onto the crossbar, completing an unfortunate perfect hat-trick of hitting the woodwork.

Erwin van de Looi's side capitalised on the German's failure to extend their lead, as they pulled one back in the 67th minute when Perr Schuurs's effort crept under goalkeeper Finn Dahmen. The Netherlands were, however, unable to find an equaliser and Germany held on for the victory.

Although Stefan Kuntz's men remain unbeaten in the tournament so far, their campaign has not been particularly straightforward, drawing three of their five matches in normal time, including a 6-5 penalty triumph over Denmark in the quarter-finals.

Germany have, however, proven in previous tournaments that they have what it takes to win and they will fancy their chances of getting over the line once again on Sunday.

Die Mannschaft have won this tournament twice before, beating England 4-0 in the 2009 final before claiming a narrow 1-0 victory against Spain in 2017. The Spaniards then got their revenge in the last European Championship final, beating the Germans 2-1 in 2019.

Kuntz – a member of Germany's Euro 1996-winning squad – has been in charge of the Under-21s side for the last two finals, and will be keen to ensure that they do not fall at the final hurdle once again.

Portugal maintained their 100% record in this year's European Championship and booked their place in the final, courtesy of a narrow 1-0 victory against holders Spain on Thursday evening.

Their semi-final clash was far less thrilling than their quarter-final encounter with Italy, which saw the Esperancas claim a 5-3 victory after extra time, but head coach Rui Jorge will have been satisfied to see his side dig deep in a game dominated for large parts by the Spaniards.

Following a goalless first half, Spain were unfortunate not to take the lead just seconds after the break, when a brilliant 25-yard volley from Marc Cucurella rattled off the inside of the post.

Although Portugal had trouble getting out of their own half and faced a total of 20 shots throughout the match, they defended admirably and eventually produced the crucial sucker punch in the 80th minute. Fabio Vieira's low cross took a fortunate deflection off Spain defender Jorge Cuenca, and looped over the goalkeeper into the net, sealing a late victory for the Portuguese.

Jorge's side have now won each of their last 12 international matches and have kept clean sheets in four of their five fixtures during the European Championships.

The Esperancas head into Sunday's final aiming to win the competition for the first time having been beaten finalists in 1994 and 2015, losing first to Italy after extra time and then against Sweden on penalties.

Jorge, who has been in charge since 2010, has an exceptionally talented squad at his disposal this time around and one that he believes can become European champions on Sunday.

Portugal are sure to take plenty of confidence into the final, having won all five of their previous meetings with Germany by an aggregate of 13-3.

Team News

Germany boss Kuntz is unlikely to make too many changes from the side that beat the Netherlands, but Brentford midfielder Vitaly Janelt could be brought into the first XI at the expense of Salih Ozcan.

Ridle Baku was chosen to start at right-back in the semi-final, despite featuring on the right-wing in their previous four matches of the competition, and the 23-year-old could be in line to start there again ahead of Josha Vagnoman.

Top goalscorer Lukas Nmecha, who has three strikes to his name, is set to start as the central striker with Wirtz and Berisha to join him in the front three.

As for Portugal, Jorge is expected to stick with his 4-4-2 diamond formation, which will likely see top scorer Dany Mota start up front alongside either Goncalo Ramos or Rafael Leao.

Abdu Conte is set to keep his place at left-back ahead of Tomas Tavares, with Manchester United's Diogo Dalot to play at right-back.

Midfield quartet Daniel Braganca, Gedson Fernandes, Vitinha and Vieira are all expected to keep their places in the starting lineup, although highly-rated duo Florentino Luis and Romario Baro could have an impact if they are brought on as substitutes.

Attackers Jota and Francisco Conceicao – the son of Porto manager Sergio Conceicao – will both be pushing to start but are expected to be begin the final on the bench.

Germany Under-21s possible starting lineup:
Dahmen; Baku, Pieper, Schlotterbeck, Raum; Maier, Dorsch, Janlet; Wirtz, Berisha; Nmecha

Portugal Under-21s possible starting lineup:
Costa; Dalot, Queiros, Leite, Conte; Braganca; Fernandes, Vitinha; Vieira; Ramos, Mota

We say: Germany Under-21s 1-2 Portugal Under-21s

Sunday's final in Ljubljana is set to be an enthralling and closely-fought encounter, and one that could go to extra time or even penalties.

Germany have the quality in the final third to make life difficult for Portugal, but we feel that the Esperancas have the greater strength-in-depth, if the match does go the distance, and may just do enough to clinch their first Under-21 European title.

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