Gorgeous weather, perfect training conditions – you couldn’t find a better training camp. In Leogang, Austria, in a valley between the Steinbergen to the north and the Kitzbühel Alps to the south, the U21 national team are preparing themselves until 10th June for the European Championship in the Czech Republic.
On the first day of training it was already clear: the boys are not here to enjoy the landscape but to work hard for success in the Euro U21s, which begin in exactly two weeks. Right at the heart of it you find Maximilian Arnold and Robin Knoche, who have both just won the German Cup with Wolfsburg. The memories of the triumph against Borussia Dortmund last Saturday are still fresh: “Berlin was absolutely amazing. The atmosphere in the city and the stadium was something I’d never experienced before,” says Robin Knoche. And all that despite the defender never even getting onto the pitch in the final.
His teammate Maximilian Arnold started the game for the Wolves, played 80 minutes and put in a good performance in defensive midfield. “We topped off our great season with the Cup win and found new self-confidence,” explains Arnold. Almost admonishingly he then adds, “this trophy was a huge highlight, but that doesn’t count now. Now we are only thinking about the Euros.”
The 21-year-old’s statement is emblematic for the entire team. Total concentration on the same goal: first to reach the semi-finals and with that achieve qualification for the 2016 Olympics in Rio, and then go for the title. The quality is there in the squad and they also have the optimal conditions in Leogang, according to Robin Knoche. “From the hotel, to the food, to the bedrooms, to the training pitch, everything here is perfect. The mix between the sporting aspects and the possibilities for team bonding suits us.”
This is also reflected in the scenes that Horst Hrubesch’s team provided in the first training sessions. They trained with high intensity and showed a willingness to run and ambition in matches, which are all good for the mood in the team. Two groups of eleven race each other by linking hands with their group before turning around – no easy task, but achievable with good communication and team spirit. That is exactly how the team can achieve their goals in the U21 Championship in the Czech Republic, and the seeds for this success are being sewn at the training camp here in Leogang.
Gorgeous weather, perfect training conditions – you couldn’t find a better training camp. In Leogang, Austria, in a valley between the Steinbergen to the north and the Kitzbühel Alps to the south, the U21 national team are preparing themselves until 10th June for the European Championship in the Czech Republic.
On the first day of training it was already clear: the boys are not here to enjoy the landscape but to work hard for success in the Euro U21s, which begin in exactly two weeks. Right at the heart of it you find Maximilian Arnold and Robin Knoche, who have both just won the German Cup with Wolfsburg. The memories of the triumph against Borussia Dortmund last Saturday are still fresh: “Berlin was absolutely amazing. The atmosphere in the city and the stadium was something I’d never experienced before,” says Robin Knoche. And all that despite the defender never even getting onto the pitch in the final.
His teammate Maximilian Arnold started the game for the Wolves, played 80 minutes and put in a good performance in defensive midfield. “We topped off our great season with the Cup win and found new self-confidence,” explains Arnold. Almost admonishingly he then adds, “this trophy was a huge highlight, but that doesn’t count now. Now we are only thinking about the Euros.”
The 21-year-old’s statement is emblematic for the entire team. Total concentration on the same goal: first to reach the semi-finals and with that achieve qualification for the 2016 Olympics in Rio, and then go for the title. The quality is there in the squad and they also have the optimal conditions in Leogang, according to Robin Knoche. “From the hotel, to the food, to the bedrooms, to the training pitch, everything here is perfect. The mix between the sporting aspects and the possibilities for team bonding suits us.”
This is also reflected in the scenes that Horst Hrubesch’s team provided in the first training sessions. They trained with high intensity and showed a willingness to run and ambition in matches, which are all good for the mood in the team. Two groups of eleven race each other by linking hands with their group before turning around – no easy task, but achievable with good communication and team spirit. That is exactly how the team can achieve their goals in the U21 Championship in the Czech Republic, and the seeds for this success are being sewn at the training camp here in Leogang.
