The Germany U17s have started the elite stage of qualifying for this summer’s European Championship in Bulgaria (6th-22nd May) with a win. Christian Wück’s side won their opening game 3-0 against Slovakia in Wetzlar. On Monday (11:00 CET) Germany will face Ukraine, before returning to Wetzlar on Thursday to place Italy (11:00 CET).
The team, captained by Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Passlack, put a lot of pressure on Slovakia in the first half, but couldn’t create any real chances. The floodgates opened in the second half when Johannes Eggestein scored in the 46th minute, before Passlack doubled the score from the penalty spot five minutes later. Eggestein sealed the comfortable 3-0 victory in the 72nd minute with his fifth goal in just his seventh game for the U17s.
First goal made things easier
"In the first half my team were still very nervous and made things difficult. After the first goal things became a lot easier for them. Our link up play improved drastically after that," said Germany manager Christian Wück, who also had praise for the fans. "The fans supported us brilliantly. We’re very happy with the win here against Italy."
In the qualifiers here in North Hessen, Germany can secure their passage to the finals as either one of eight group winners or seven group runners up.
Wückt has a good team at his disposal, with only four players having made less than five appearances for the U17s. "I have 18 players that have all established themselves as regulars. Because of that there were one or two who just fell short of the cut when I picked the squad. The quality of this age group made it very difficult for me to select my squad," explained Wück.
The Germany U17s have started the elite stage of qualifying for this summer’s European Championship in Bulgaria (6th-22nd May) with a win. Christian Wück’s side won their opening game 3-0 against Slovakia in Wetzlar. On Monday (11:00 CET) Germany will face Ukraine, before returning to Wetzlar on Thursday to place Italy (11:00 CET).
The team, captained by Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Passlack, put a lot of pressure on Slovakia in the first half, but couldn’t create any real chances. The floodgates opened in the second half when Johannes Eggestein scored in the 46th minute, before Passlack doubled the score from the penalty spot five minutes later. Eggestein sealed the comfortable 3-0 victory in the 72nd minute with his fifth goal in just his seventh game for the U17s.
First goal made things easier
"In the first half my team were still very nervous and made things difficult. After the first goal things became a lot easier for them. Our link up play improved drastically after that," said Germany manager Christian Wück, who also had praise for the fans. "The fans supported us brilliantly. We’re very happy with the win here against Italy."
In the qualifiers here in North Hessen, Germany can secure their passage to the finals as either one of eight group winners or seven group runners up.
Wückt has a good team at his disposal, with only four players having made less than five appearances for the U17s. "I have 18 players that have all established themselves as regulars. Because of that there were one or two who just fell short of the cut when I picked the squad. The quality of this age group made it very difficult for me to select my squad," explained Wück.
