Germany U21 3-0 Slovenia U21 Player Ratings: Nick Woltemade Masterclass Inspires Germany To Dominant Euro U21 Start

Germany began their 2025 UEFA U21 European Championship campaign with a commanding 3-0 win over Slovenia U21 at the Stadion Pod Zoborom on Thursday, 12 June 2025. A hat-trick from Nick Woltemade inspired Antonio di Silva's side to take control of Group B and go top with this win.

The German players started dictating possession from the get-go and made Slovenian goalkeeper Martin Turk work early on, forcing him to make some sharp saves. Germany's pressure paid off in the 19th minute as a slick move saw Nick Woltemade slot in from close range to make it 1-0. This seemingly energized the Slovenian team, who started pushing forward for moves. Their forward Tio Cipot went through to a one-on-one in the 27th minute, but saw his effort saved by the goalkeeper.

Slovenia U21 were made to pay for that, as Woltemade scored once more in the 42nd minute by latching onto a pass and directing it into the goal from inside the box. Cipot missed another big chance by putting an open header wide two minutes later.

Slovenia struggled to create major chances or breach the German backline in the second half, with their goalkeeper making some nice saves to deny more goals. However, Germany earned a penalty in the 83rd minute, which Woltemade converted to complete his hat-trick and seal a dominant win for his side. Here are the Germany U21 National Football Team vs Slovenia National Football Team U21 Player Ratings.

Germany U21 National Football Team Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

Noah Atubolu - 7/10

The Freiburg goalkeeper was an alert and proactive presence in the goal. He made a brilliant save to deny a goal in the first half and came up with a few more good saves, as well as doing some impressive sweeping work.

Defenders

Nnamdi Collins - 7/10

Collins was a bit sloppy with his passing, giving the ball away a few times. He was outwitted by Brest at times, losing a few duels, but he also made some nice clearances. Earned the penalty after a great run.

Max Rosenfelder - 7.5/10

Rosenfelder held together a sturdy defensive shape with his composed defensive style, making some vital challenges. Impressive with his passing and made a great forward run to set up the second goal.

Bright Arrey-Mbi - 6/10

The Braga defender had a few shaky moments in the game, being outwitted by the Slovenian forwards. Did well in moving the ball forward confidently.

Nathaniel Brown - 7/10

Brown was an energetic presence bombing up and down the left side. Played a role with a nice cross for the first goal and won most of his duels on the left.

Midfielders

Eric Martel - 6.5/10

Martel was a proactive presence in the midfield, reading the game well. He came up with quite a few key possession recoveries and was reliable with his passing as well.

Rocco Reitz - 7.5/10

Reitz was a breath of fresh air in the midfield with his crisp, efficient forward passing and movement. Created a few chances with his smart passes and worked hard to win back the ball many times.

Paul Nebel - 5.5/10

Nebel was extremely accurate with his passing, moving the ball around well. But he lacked any goal threat, seeing three shot attempts go off target.

Forwards

Nick Woltemade - 9.5/10

A menacing threat with his clever positioning and link-up play works. Produced a poacher's close-range finish for his opening goal, before instinctively putting the ball into the back of the net for his second. Completed a brilliant performance with a perfect penalty!

Brajan Gruda - 6.5/10

Brajan Gruda made a few menacing runs and tormented the opposition players with his movement. Was able to set up a few nice chances, but unlucky not to get an assist.

Nicolo Tresoldi - 7/10

Tresoldi was smart with his positioning and played a perfect layoff for Woltemade's opener. Had quite a few shots on goal and perhaps a bit unlucky to see a goalbound shot blocked in the second half.

Substitutes

Ansgar Knauff - 6/10

Knauff made some nice runs in the second half and was crisp with his passing.

Nelson Weiper - 6.5/10

Made a brilliant lung-bursting run soon after coming on, forcing a big save from the goalkeeper.

Jan Thielmann - 6/10

Added more strength and steel to his side's backline.

Tim Oermann - 6/10

Added more composure to the backline.

Paul Wanner - N/R

Manager

Antonio di Salvo - 8/10

Di Salvo was smart with his team selection and overall set-up, urging his players to dominate possession and be patient with build-up play. His side mixed lethal attacking and sturdy defending to put in a brilliant performance.

Slovenia U21 National Football Team Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

Martin Turk - 5/10

Turk had a sharp start to the game, making a string of important saves to frustrate the German players. Unable to do much for Woltemade's efficient goals, he was sloppy with his passing.

Defenders

Mitja Ilenic - 5.5/10

Had to work hard to keep Gruda quiet, but held his own in the battle. He won quite a few key duels, but lacked any creative threat going forward.

Lovro Golic - 4/10

Golic was caught in some bad positions for Woltemade's goal, being especially sloppy in moving out of position for his second. Blocked a goal-bound shot in the second half but then gave away the penalty with a poor foul.

Zan Jevsenak - 6/10

A proactive figure in the backline for his side. He was dragged out of position at times, but mostly did a decent job with clearances and winning his duels.

Svdjan Kuzmic - 6.5/10

Probably his side's strudiest defender. He worked hard to keep things quiet on his side, making nine clearances and winning seven duels!

Midfielders

Enrik Ostrc - 5/10

Ostrc tried his best to hold his own in the midfield battle, winning a few nice duels. But he struggled to stop their movement through central areas and was a bit sloppy with his passing.

Adrian Zeljkovic - 5/10

The 22-year-old worked hard in covering quite a lot of ground in the middle. He couldn't properly protect his backline or neutralize Germany's movement through the middle.

Tijas Begic - 6/10

The 21-year-old was an industrious figure in the midfield, winning quite a few duels to regain possession. He troubled Germany with his clever passing and set up a few nice chances too.

Forwards

Svit Seslar - 4.5/10

Seslar made some nice movement to the right, but was pretty sloppy with his inefficient shooting. Created a nice chance, but failed to do something noteworthy.

Marko Brest - 7/10

Brest was a real livewire on the left wing for his side and tormented the defenders with his sharp movement. He made some eye-catching runs and created many big chances, winning most of his duels too.

Tio Cipot - 3/10

Cipot had a forgettable game against Germany. Scuffed a big one-v-one chance with the goalkeeper in the first half and then missed an easy open header later on.

Substitutes

Dino Kojic -5/10

Failed to trouble the German defenders with his movement or link-up play.

Martin Pecar - 6/10

Had a shot fail to test the goalkeeper after he came on, and failed to create much.

Jost Pisek - 5.5/10

The 23-year-old couldn't come up with any special chances late on.

Relja Obric - N/R

Manager

Andrej Razdrh - 5/10

Razdrh was perhaps a bit too cautious with his approach, and sitting back didn't help his side at all. Unlucky to see his players miss chances and make poor errors, but his substitutes failed to make an impact either.

Sportsdunia's Man of the Match goes to Nick Woltemade.