Gruda: Germany were perfect at the Euros

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Gruda: Germany were perfect at the Euros – except the final

German midfielder helped his country reach the UEFA U21 Euros final.

Charlie Hanson

2025-07-19T15:00+01:00

Brajan Gruda joined Albion from Mainz in summer 2024. 📸 by James Boardman.

Brajan Gruda looks back on Germany Under-21s’ route to the Euros final as perfect, and the only fly in the ointment was their 3-2 defeat to England in the final.

Antonio Di Salvo’s team had gone 20 games unbeaten ahead of their showdown with the Young Lions, drawing only three times, but came unstuck against an England side they had beaten in the group stages.

“It was a very, very good Euro qualification," Brajan said. "We played 20 games before the final and we didn’t lose. So it would have been perfect to win the 21st game. But it is how it is. We lost the final, but it was a very good experience.

Two years. No Ls. This team is special. 😍

📸 Thomas Böcker/DFB pic.twitter.com/LgBZHAuQZN
— German Football (@DFB_Team_EN) June 27, 2025

“Some games were good, some games were not like I wanted. But in the tournament, it is not about how good I play, it’s about can we win this game as a team. That worked well.

“I spoke to Jack Hinshelwood a little bit after the first game in the group and of course after the final we spoke a little bit, but we were focused on the tournament.

“He hit me in the face in the final, but he didn’t mean to do it!”

The attacking midfielder admits he had experienced the combative nature of English players before.

Brajan Gruda made 25 appearances in his debut season for Albion. 📸 by James Boardman.

“I can tell you one story. When I was young I played against an English team. One of the kids came from behind and tackled me. Another one got me and then got the ball – the ref didn't say anything.

“So I ran and I tackled him from behind! My dad said, ‘if you play like this, you are going to play in the Premier League one day'. Now I play in the Premier League and sometimes we talk about this story – it's a funny story.

“I was young – seven, eight or nine. And I was in my home city, Speyer in Germany. The game was quite intense. There were many fouls and a lot of shirt pulling.”