The team operated with the neutral name "Next Generation Selection" (German: Nachwuchsauswahl) and the age restriction was not always constant.

Following the realignment of UEFA's youth competitions in 1976, a distinct East Germany under-21 team was formed.

Before re-unification, the East Germany national under-21 football team was a little bit more successful than its Western counterpart in the UEFA Under-23 Championships and the UEFA Under-21 Championships, finishing runner-up on three occasions.

The West Germany national under-21 football team finished runner-up once and reached the quarter-finals twice.

The East Germany national under-21 football team failed to qualify seven times, while the West Germany national under-21 football team failed to qualify four times and didn't enter on three occations.