Supervisor Lee Carsley hailed his “excellent” gamers as England U21s reached a second consecutive European Championship remaining.
Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott, who was additionally a part of the younger Lions squad that lifted the trophy two years in the past, scored a brace in sweltering temperatures in Bratislava as Carsley’s side edged out the Netherlands 2-1.
In one thing of a repeat of the senior males’s semi-final eventually yr’s Euros in Germany, Elliott gave England the lead simply after the hour mark earlier than substitute Noah Ohio levelled for the Dutch 10 minutes later.
However the place Ollie Watkins was the England hero 12 months in the past, it was the Reds midfielder who stole the present right here, netting the winner with a wonderful solo effort with 5 minutes remaining.
#U21EURO finalists 🏴❤️ pic.twitter.com/N4ZgCfaYh1
— England (@England) June 25, 2025
The end result means England progress to Saturday’s remaining, the place they may attempt to defend their crown in opposition to both France or Germany, who they’ve already confronted within the group stage of the match.
“I assumed the workforce have been excellent,” Carsley instructed Channel 4 after the sport.
“I assumed the way in which we began the sport was actually thrilling. They [the England players] have been dissatisfied to return in at half-time with out scoring however I assumed second-half we performed with actual resilience.
“We needed to defend the field and James [Beadle] needed to make some good saves. However we stood up and we acquired over the road. It reveals the significance of the entire squad. I assumed the subs that got here on had a extremely influence as properly. So we are able to look ahead to the ultimate.”
One other two objectives! 🔥
Effectively performed, Harvey Elliott! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/z6vZqLC0IX
— England (@England) June 25, 2025
The England boss additionally singled out reward for Elliott, whose expertise and performances have been elementary to the workforce’s success.
“Harvey [Elliott] and Charlie [Cresswell] didn’t play quite a lot of minutes within the final marketing campaign. We knew how necessary they might be. They’ve taken that on board, the duty for driving the remainder of the squad.
“Harvey has been excellent. He’s one among many who has actually stood up. James McAtee, Jay Stansfield – you might undergo the workforce. They’re creating as a workforce and as a squad.
“It’s only a disgrace we’ve solely acquired one recreation as a result of I believe this workforce is excellent.”
With temperatures hovering above 30 levels Celsius earlier than kick-off Carsley additionally revealed how he had ready his younger starlets for an energy-sapping 90 minutes within the warmth.
“We knew it was going to be sizzling,” Carsely stated. “We’ve accomplished all of our coaching classes in the course of the hottest a part of the day to arrange for this type of occasion.
“We’ve not shied away from the solar, we’ve uncovered them to it. Even to the purpose of giving the gamers the chance to sunbathe after coaching and be uncovered to the warmth.”
Forward of the ultimate this weekend, which kicks off at 20:00 (UK time), Carsley’s outlook was easy: “We attempt to not fear an excessive amount of concerning the opposition. Our workforce is an important.”
