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Schmetgens makes final, Čović and Šimić bow out
THREE GREEN-WHITES IN ACTION AT THE U19 EURO
08/07/26
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Mick Schmetgens and Germany have reached the final of the 2026 UEFA European Under-19 Championship in Wales. The centre-back and his teammates booked their place in the showdown with a 2-1 semi-final victory over Ukraine on Wednesday evening. Germany will now face Spain in the final after the Spaniards comfortably defeated Croatia, featuring Patrice Čović and Karlo Šimić, 3-0 in the other semi-final.
As he had in Germany's opening two group matches, Schmetgens started at the heart of the back four against Ukraine. The Group B winners looked happy to cede possession to Germany from the outside, and clear-cut chances were few and far between during a cagey first half. Germany posed the greater attacking threat with efforts in the 26th and 34th minutes, while Schmetgens and the defence kept Ukraine at bay for long spells. However, Ukraine struck true with their first attempt on goal when Vitaliy Hlyut headed Dmytro Mykhailenko's side into the lead in the 43rd minute. Germany responded immediately, with Otto Stange equalising in first-half stoppage time (45+1').
Schmetgens had a golden opportunity to put Germany ahead shortly after the restart. The deflected corner caught the centre-back by surprise at the far post, however and he steered his effort narrowly wide (47'). Germany continued to create the better chances after the break, although Moritz Reimers (53'), Stange (57') and Mirza Catovic (77') were all unable to find the target. The winning goal eventually arrived in stoppage time, when Francis Onyeka fired home a first-time finish to send Germany through to the final (90+1').
Croatia’s U19 EURO dream ends in semi-final defeat despite Čović impressing, Šimić comes off the bench
Čović started the match as the left-sided midfielder in Croatia’s three-man central midfield, operating in coach Siniša Oreščanin’s 4-3-2-1 formation. The 19-year-old was heavily involved from the outset, seeing plenty of the ball and helping to drive Croatia’s attacking play. That was evident as early as the eighth minute, when Čović burst forward down the left and narrowly missed finding the advancing Lovro Chelfi with a low cross. However, Croatia were forced to focus largely on their defensive work in the early stages and fell behind when Xavi Espart opened the scoring in the 12th minute. The Croatians gradually managed to ease themselves out of Spain’s pressure as the match went on, but the latter remained the more threatening side. Orešcanin’s side were fortunate not to fall further behind before the break, with Hugo López (41’) and Espart (42’) both missing opportunities to make it 2-0.
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Spain did double their advantage shortly after half time, though. Following a superb pass from Real Madrid midfielder Thiago Pitarch, Jorge Salinas converted the rebound to put Spain in control (54’). Croatia pushed hard for a way back into the game, but neither Čović – who recorded his side’s first effort on goal with a free-kick in the 65th minute – nor substitute Karlo Šimić, introduced shortly after the hour mark, could find the breakthrough. Instead, Spain wrapped up the victory seven minutes from time, with Ousmane Diallo scoring to seal their place in the final (83’).
Despite the disappointment, Čović, Šimić and their teammates can look back on an impressive tournament run, with their semi-final appearance also securing qualification for next summer’s U20 World Cup in Azerbaijan. For Spain and Germany, the final awaits. The two tournament heavyweights will do battle at 20:00 CEST on Saturday, 11th July, as they look to be crowned European U19 Champions.
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