Pejcinovic scores twice as Germany beat Georgia 2-0 to qualify for 2027 Under-21 Euro

Group victory and tournament qualification

Germany qualified for the 2027 Under-21 European Championship following a 2-0 victory over Georgia in Bielefeld. Forward Dzenan Pejcinovic scored both goals to secure first place in Group F, giving the German side their ninth victory in ten qualifying matches. The result prevented a playoff scenario after Greece kept mathematical pressure on Germany with a concurrent 1-0 away win against Northern Ireland. Germany topped the group via the direct head-to-head tiebreaker against Greece, having overcome an earlier 3-2 defeat with a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture. Head coach Antonio Di Salvo praised the squad for maintaining focus during the closing matches of the campaign.

Di Salvo reflected on the qualifying run in post-match comments to ProSieben Maxx.

It was well deserved that we qualified for the European Championship. After the difficult start with the defeat against Greece, we had to keep delivering. We did it, we stood our ground. Then we won a very important game against Greece. Then we were in pole position for three games. We wanted to clear every hurdle, and we cleared every hurdle.

Match progression and scoring moments

Georgia created an early scoring chance in the fourth minute when Aleko Basiladze found space in the penalty area. Germany took the lead in the tenth minute when a long-range shot from SV Elversberg midfielder Noah Darvich deflected off Stuttgart striker Pejcinovic into the net. Georgia repeatedly threatened to equalize during the first half, while Germany pressed to extend the margin through chances from captain Nicolò Tresoldi and winger Paris Brunner. Germany had a goal disallowed in the 48th minute when the referee whistled a foul prior to Joshua Quarshie turning the ball into the net. Pejcinovic confirmed the victory in the 69th minute by scoring his second goal from close range.

Attendance figures and individual milestones

A crowd of 20,049 spectators filled the SchücoArena in Bielefeld, creating Mexican waves and chants throughout the evening. The turnout marked the highest attendance for a German Under-21 home match since October 2006, when 20,800 fans attended a game in Leverkusen. DFB sporting director Rudi Völler, managing director Andreas Rettig, youth director Hannes Wolf, and future managing director Per Mertesacker watched the game from the stands, while senior national team head coach Jürgen Klopp did not attend. Tresoldi, who wore the captain's armband in place of the absent Tom Bischof, remained at 16 Under-21 international goals, two behind the all-time German record held by Pierre Littbarski.

Tresoldi spoke about his chase for the scoring record after the final whistle.

As a striker, you always want to score. Now I have this goal, the record. But the three points are what matter. I still have time. Two games in November, two in March, plus the European Championship.

Tournament schedule and Olympic qualification

The 2027 Under-21 European Championship will be held jointly across Albania and Serbia from 16 June to 3 July 2027. In addition to continental honors, the final tournament serves as the qualifying event for European teams competing for places at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The group draw for the tournament will take place on 26 November in Belgrade. Germany conclude their qualification schedule on a four-game winning streak, following earlier away victories against Latvia (4-0) and Malta (4-1), and will play two international friendlies in November and two in March ahead of the finals.