Germany U21 Goalkeeper Tom Ritzy Hülsmann Impresses Teammates with His Height
Germany U21’s newest goalkeeper, Tom Ritzy Hülsmann, has quickly made an impact on his international teammates. The 22-year-old Stade Reims goalkeeper stands an impressive 2.05 meters tall, and his first interactions with fellow internationals Muhammed Damar and Maurice Krattenmacher have led to some amusing anecdotes.
At a DFB U21 press conference on Tuesday, remotely attended by Get German Football News, the two midfielders shared lighthearted stories about their introductions to the towering goalkeeper, who received his first call-up to any German national team when head coach Antonio Di Salvo revealed his squad for the upcoming matches against Belgium and Croatia.
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The Trier native played last season with Austrian Bundesliga team TSV Hartberg, earning a reputation as the league’s best goalkeeper. His standout performances led to a summer transfer to the French second-division club Stade Reims, and his notable height sparked some playful comments at the end of the press conference.
Damar and Krattenmacher Recall Their First Impressions
Press spokesperson for the DFB U21, Markus Beer, mentioned that Hülsmann’s tall stature led to various unusual experiences during initial introductions among the players.
Damar was eager to share his thoughts.
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“He’s like a television tower,” the Wolfsburg midfielder remarked. “When I first saw him, I asked him what tablets he takes. He replied that it’s just genetics, as both of his parents are also very tall.”
Damar recounted a comical moment regarding their handshake.
“When he stood in front of me to shake my hand, I had to look up three storeys,” Damar said. “I thought [Joshua] Quarshie was already tall, but compared to him, he’s like an ant.”
Damar referenced Joshua Quarshie, another Germany U21 defender known for his towering presence.
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“I can’t disagree,” Krattenmacher stated. “Here comes this huge tower towards you. But he’s a great guy, and I look forward to training with him.”
Beer acknowledged that Hülsmann’s height indeed led to some quirky moments, closing the press conference on a light note.
Serious Preparations Amid the Laughter
The humorous exchange added a bit of levity to a press conference mainly focused on Germany’s preparations for the upcoming European U21 Championship next summer.
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Earlier, Beer emphasized that the upcoming matches against Belgium and Croatia should be viewed as opportunities to prepare for the European Championship rather than as simple friendlies.
Germany has already secured its spot for the tournament in Albania and Serbia. The November matches will give Di Salvo a chance to integrate new players and assess their performance against fellow competitors in the European Championship.
The Germans will host Belgium at the Stadion an der Hafenstraße in Essen on Friday, November 13, before heading to Rijeka to face Croatia four days later.
Hülsmann will be aiming to make his international debut in these fixtures. Regardless of the outcomes on the field, the Stade Reims goalkeeper has prominently made his mark among his new teammates.
