Henning Matriciani and Tom Krauß draw first game of U21 EUROs

Two Schalke players were named in the starting XI for the game in Kutaisi, Georgia. Henning Matriciani was named in central defence, while Tom Krauß, who is still under a loan contract with the club until the end of the month, started in midfield, with the pair playing the whole 90 minutes.

After just three minutes, Youssoufa Moukoko had a chance to take the lead from the penalty spot, but saw his spot kick saved by Daniel Peretz. The Israel ‘keeper also saved another penalty in the second half, this time from Hertha BSC’s Jessic Ngankam (80’), after a foul on Krauß.

Germany’s only goal came via their captain Yann Aurel Bisseck, of Danish first division side Aarhus GF, who headed home after 26 minutes to cancel out Dor Turgeman’s (Maccabi Tel Aviv) opener six minutes earlier.

Extra man in second half

Israel were down to ten players for the second half, after Istanbul Basaksehir’s Eden Karzev was shown a yellow card on the brink of half time. Despite the man advantage and 17 shots attempted to Israel’s three, Antonio Di Salvo’s side were unable to capitalise and were made to settle for one point.

Germany U21s will take on Czech Republic on Sunday (25/06) in their second group match, before a game against England on Wednesday (28/06) to round off their group.