If this tournament has provided optimism for England's young prospects, then ninety minutes has all but shattered the feel-good factor in one foul swoop, with Germany dominating long-periods of a game they eventually won by four goals to nil.
In truth the scoreline did flatter the Germans, but the win did not. Stuart Pearce's side capitulated in the second half, conceding three goals in the final 45 minutes for the second game in a row.
Mesut Ozil proved to be the catalyst to the win which will no doubt be celebrated in Germany for years to come. The Gelsenchirchen-born, Turkish bred, midfielder set Gonzalo Castro up for the first, he then scored the second from a long-range free-kick. The schemer then released Sandro Wagner on the left for the third goal and played a part in the fourth; Wagner producing two clinical finishes in the final 11 minutes.
England had no reply and were lacking in strength upfront while they looked disorganised at the back - not a good day at the office.
Stuart Pearce decided to hand the gloves to Scott Loach for his first start of the tournament while Theo Walcott started as the lone-striker, replacing the suspended Gabriel Agbonlahor and Frazier Campbell. Adam Johnson filled in on the left, in place of the jet-heeled Arsenal player.
Germany, meanwhile, welcomed their captain Sami Khedira back into their midfield. Sandro Wagner was introduced upfront in place of Ashkan Dejagah - who was also serving his suspension, having picked up his second booking of the tournament against Italy.
England started brightly, passing the ball around with confidence. Milner and Johnson on the wings looked lively in the first 10 minutes, but Germany gradually asserted their dominance on the match as the first-half continued.
Ozil and Sami Khedira were pulling the strings in midfield and Sandro Wagner was dropping-deep to link up. The full-backs, Andreas Beck and Sebastian Boenisch, looked to overlap at every opportunity.
Ozil had already given England an early warning. He made space for himself and slipped a ball through to Khedira as he ran into the box, his touch took him wide and it was cleared by England.
England did not heed the warning, however, when in the 23rd minute, Ozil was again afforded time and space to place an inch-perfect through-ball to Gonzalo Castro. The Bayer Leverkusen winger drew Scott Loach out, and chipped it over the onrushing Watford-man. The ball nestled effortlessly into the bottom corner - it was Castro's second of the tournament, both against England.
It was no more than the German team deserved, and they continued to play the ball around with confidence, looking quick and decisive on the break. Germany were also trying their luck from range. First Sebastian Boenisch, then Ozil, shot from distance - the first tipped wide by Loach and the second a dipping free-kick which took a deflection from the wall, narrowly clearing the bar.
England were struggling to gain control in midfield with every ball aimed at Walcott coming straight back. The pint-sized Arsenal striker was not getting much change out of the giant Jerome Boateng and Benedikt Howedes in the air.
Germany went into half-time knowing that with their strong defensive record, they would have a good chance of taking the trophy home.
Pearce decided to introduce Michael Mancienne for Nedum Onuoha at half-time in a tactical change, but three minutes after the restart, it was 2-0.
Ozil stood over a free-kick, 35-yards from goal. He tried an audacious shot and the ball swerved, wrong-footing Loach. The goalkeeper sent out a flailing hand, but it was not strong enough to keep out the midfielder's effort and the ball bounced over the line.
Milner was trying hard to create an opening, twisting and turning Boenisch at every opportunity. The Aston Villa striker managed to beat his marker and two other German defenders with some quick-footwork in the 61st minute. He raced to the byline and pulled a low ball back to Johnson. Somehow the Middlesbrough player failed to get enough contact on the ball and Andreas Beck cleared from under his own bar.
Johnson then turned provider, as his corner was headed towards goal by Lee Cattermole, but Beck was there again to clear from the line.
Those opportunities had to go in if England were to have any chance of getting back in the game, but soon their fate was sealed.
Eleven minutes from time, Sandro Wagner who had put in a good shift upfront, was sent through by Ozil, he steadied himself in the box before firing low between Loach's legs. The German bench, sensing victory, rushed to congratulate the striker, and England heads dropped.
Wagner's chances have been limited in this tournament, but he took his chance in this match, thriving from Ozil's service. Five minutes later, the Duisberg striker claimed his second and Germany's fourth. Castro played him through on the left of the box, and he cut inside on his right foot, curling a sumptuous effort past Loach and inside the far post. Game, set and match.
With the final whistle imminent, the German substitutes doused their manager with water, but no doubt there was something stronger on offer in the dressing room after the match.
Having already won the under-17 and under-19 crowns, Germany can now add the under-21 trophy to their glistening cabinet.
In Mesut Ozil, Germany have a new star, and he will no doubt be shining in bigger tournaments than this, as Germany undoubtedly having a bright future at international level.
In England meanwhile, the lackluster performance will again lead to questions as to whether an academy modeled on the French, Clairefontaine, is needed. A sorry end to a promising tournament.
Germany's players lift the trophy after a dominant display
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