The DFB’s U20s put in a good performance against Italy. The Ruhr area was also represented at the match.

The German U20 national team wrestled a 1-1 draw from Italy in a test. And from the Ruhr Area’s point of view, two professionals will certainly not forget this day.

For centre-back Tim Oermann from VfL Bochum and midfielder Caspar Jander from third-division club MSV Duisburg celebrated their debut for a national U-20 team. And in this classic, they both got to play over 90 minutes.

In the run-up to the match, U20 coach Hannes Wolf emphasised: “We are looking forward to one of the greatest classics in football. Italy’s 2004 crop is very strong and won the U19 European Championship in July. We want to show ourselves from our best side and hope for numerous fans to support us on site.”

And the U20s’ performance was something to behold. In front of 860 spectators at the Stadium auf dem Wurfplatz in Berlin, Marius Wörl of Arminia Bielefeld scored just before half-time (45th) to give the Italians the lead, which they equalised through Cristian Volpato in the 58th minute.

We have a young team and during the week we gave away some players to the U21s, nevertheless the players really gave it their all.

Hannes Wolf

Wolf summed up after the 90 minutes: “We have a young team and in the course of the week we gave away some players to the U21s, but the players really stepped on the gas. We would have liked to win after taking the lead, but the Italians put on a lot of pressure, so the result is fine.”

Looking at the DFB squad, it is striking. Four players come from the 3rd division – in addition to Jander, these were Julian Eitschberger from Halleschen FC, Benedikt Bauer from SpVgg Unterhaching and Mika Bauer from SC Freiburg II. In addition, there was a former talent from Rot-Weiss Essen. Namely Joshua Quarshie, who transferred from RWE to TSG Hoffenheim in July 2022.

The second test is scheduled for Monday (4.15 pm). The U20s will then travel to Poland.

How the DFB U20 played against Italy

Noll (TSG Hoffenheim) – Eitschberger (Hallescher FC), Oermann (VfL Bochum), Quarshie (TSG Hoffenheim), Bauer (SpVgg Unterhaching) – Kemlein (Union Berlin), Jander (MSV Duisburg) – Baur (SC Freiburg II), Wörl (Arminia Bielefeld), Diehl (1. FC Köln) – Marino (FC-Astoria Walldorf)