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Wednesday’s match against Sweden is conclusion and new beginning at the same time. The game in Gothenburg (8.30 P.M., live on ARD) is the final game of 2010, a year filled with triumphes, including a 3rd place finish at the FIFA World Cup and the perfect start into the qualifiying round for the EURO 2012. But the friendly match against the Scandinavians also offers coach Joachim Löw a welcomed opportunity to peek into the future, as he’s expected to field a number of new talents.
Four players nominated by Löw had not played for the A-team ever before: Dortmund’s Marcel Schmelzer and Mario Götze as well as Lewis Holtby and André Schürrle from Mainz. Kevin Großkreutz and Mats Hummels, two more players from the ranks of Bundesliga league leaders Borussia Dortmund, have played just one game wearing the black and white of the ‘Mannschaft’.
The German style of football: a fast-paced vertical game
“Looking forward to the game, we feel highly motivated”, said Löw upon arrival in Gothenburg. “We’ll use this chance to find out more about our younger players.” Following talks with the respective home teams, Löw decided to rest Philipp Lahm, Thomas Müller and Mesut Özil.
Whether his young guns have sufficient skill and determination to challenge the old guard, is still an open issue, says Löw. “We’ll know in a few weeks or maybe at some point next year.” But Löw inivited only players that have the potential to play the style of football perfected in South Africa: a fast-paced vertical game, which earned the German team respect throughout the football world.
Parallels with Formula 1-Champion Sebastian Vettel
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The German coach praised his team once again for the commendable effort during the qualifying games. “Following an intense and strenuous tournament, they actually made the next step in their maturation.” The team registered four wins in four appearances, wich set the main goal for 2011, namely to qualify for the tournament in Poland and Ukraine as fast as possible.
Löw also drew parallels to Sebastian Vettel, the youngest Formula 1 champion in history. “He pulled it off because of his tremendous determination, his professionalism and his meticulous work habits.” Löw sees these qualities in his young players as well – ambitious, determined and professional but modest as well. “Five or six years ago, our under 21 players did not play a major role at their clubs, but that has changed”, said Löw. “Between 18 and 22 years is such an important phase in their development.”
In Gothenburg, Rene Adler will return as goalkeeper. Leverkusen’s keeper missed the World Cup due to an injury. The game in Sweden – conclusion and new beginning. Löw will take some risks, in order to test younger players. “But let’s not get confused”, said Löw, “we also want to win this game.”
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[bild1]
Wednesday’s match against Sweden is conclusion and new beginning at the same time. The game in Gothenburg (8.30 P.M., live on ARD) is the final game of 2010, a year filled with triumphes, including a 3rd place finish at the FIFA World Cup and the perfect start into the qualifiying round for the EURO 2012. But the friendly match against the Scandinavians also offers coach Joachim Löw a welcomed opportunity to peek into the future, as he’s expected to field a number of new talents.
Four players nominated by Löw had not played for the A-team ever before: Dortmund’s Marcel Schmelzer and Mario Götze as well as Lewis Holtby and André Schürrle from Mainz. Kevin Großkreutz and Mats Hummels, two more players from the ranks of Bundesliga league leaders Borussia Dortmund, have played just one game wearing the black and white of the ‘Mannschaft’.
The German style of football: a fast-paced vertical game
“Looking forward to the game, we feel highly motivated”, said Löw upon arrival in Gothenburg. “We’ll use this chance to find out more about our younger players.” Following talks with the respective home teams, Löw decided to rest Philipp Lahm, Thomas Müller and Mesut Özil.
Whether his young guns have sufficient skill and determination to challenge the old guard, is still an open issue, says Löw. “We’ll know in a few weeks or maybe at some point next year.” But Löw inivited only players that have the potential to play the style of football perfected in South Africa: a fast-paced vertical game, which earned the German team respect throughout the football world.
Parallels with Formula 1-Champion Sebastian Vettel
[bild2]
The German coach praised his team once again for the commendable effort during the qualifying games. “Following an intense and strenuous tournament, they actually made the next step in their maturation.” The team registered four wins in four appearances, wich set the main goal for 2011, namely to qualify for the tournament in Poland and Ukraine as fast as possible.
Löw also drew parallels to Sebastian Vettel, the youngest Formula 1 champion in history. “He pulled it off because of his tremendous determination, his professionalism and his meticulous work habits.” Löw sees these qualities in his young players as well – ambitious, determined and professional but modest as well. “Five or six years ago, our under 21 players did not play a major role at their clubs, but that has changed”, said Löw. “Between 18 and 22 years is such an important phase in their development.”
In Gothenburg, Rene Adler will return as goalkeeper. Leverkusen’s keeper missed the World Cup due to an injury. The game in Sweden – conclusion and new beginning. Löw will take some risks, in order to test younger players. “But let’s not get confused”, said Löw, “we also want to win this game.”
