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Szekesfehervar (dpa) - The tension is also increasing with Stefan Kuntz.

For his U21 national team, the second EM game against the Netherlands is about getting into the knockout phase of the tournament - and about prestige (9 p.m. / ProSieben).

"You are of course just as tense and excited on the line, whether it all works out like that," said Kuntz about the feelings before the football classic, which is also characterized by the rivalry between the countries in the U21s.

"You are focused so you can react and you wish from the bottom of your heart that the guys stand up to the comparison," said Kuntz.

What else to look out for in the duel in Hungarian Szekesfehervar:

FAVORITE FALL: With numerous well-known players in the line-up, the Netherlands went into the tournament as one of the favorites - and stumbled right at the start.

"After the 1-1 draw against Romania the pressure is a little more on your side," said Kuntz, who is in the better starting position with his selection after the 3-0 start against co-hosts Hungary.

“But these are players who are of high quality and they will perform well under pressure.

For me, you are still one of the favorites, ”said Kuntz.

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REVANCHE: For Cologne's Salih Özcan, the duel should be one with unpleasant memories: Two and a half years ago, the 23-year-old was spat at by Jordan Teze after a 1-1 draw in the U20 international match against the Netherlands.

On Saturday there will be a reunion between Özcan and Teze, who apologized at the time and was temporarily suspended.

"Of course I still remember the incident, as it was gross unsportsmanlike conduct and disrespect for me," Özcan told the "Bild".

"We had no contact after the game or in between and don't see each other again until Saturday."

QUESTION MARK: Whether Youssoufa Moukoko can finally celebrate his U21 premiere against the Netherlands was still extremely questionable on Friday evening.

He missed the European Championship opener against Hungary on Wednesday (3-0) with a bruised shin, and the 16-year-old exceptional talent from Borussia Dortmund was not there at the final training session.

He had "little hope" that Moukoko could play, said Kuntz.

If he played in Hungary, the attacker would become the youngest German U21 international.

In contrast, the ailing Jonathan Burkardt from Mainz has a slightly higher chance of being used.

BUNDESLIGA DUEL: Four professionals from the German Bundesliga are in the squad in the Netherlands - and some meet current or former club colleagues.

U21 captain Arne Maier, who is on loan from Hertha BSC to Arminia Bielefeld, will meet his former Berlin teammates Deyovaisio Zeefuik and Javairô Dilrosun.

Justin Kluivert from Leipzig and Ludovit Reis from VfL Osnabrück will also see numerous well-known players from the two national leagues again.

"Germany always has a good team - regardless of whether it is the senior national team or a junior team," said Kluivert.

"That's why I know that it will be a difficult game for us."

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© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210326-99-989241 / 2

Squad U21

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Schedule U21 European Championship

Interesting facts about the U21 European Championship

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Information about the U21 European Championship

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