Hrubesch: I am delighted with his development. It says a lot about someone when they can establish themselves in England like he has. I was just recently in Liverpool, and they confirmed to us that Emre would shortly be taking up Steven Gerrard’s midfield role. On one hand he is polite, friendly, clear and structured, but when he’s on the pitch he has an unbelievable presence. It’s a development that I find just fine.
Question: Who will be the star of the tournament?
Hrubesch: For me the most important thing is that the team is the star. Mesut Özil was always highlighted as the star of our 2009 Euro-winning team, but for me Gonzalo Castro was one of the decisive players. He had an outstanding championship. In 2009 we played as a team, even when we had individuals who could decide a game. It’s similar this time, but Lady Luck, as always, plays her part too.
Question: Can you compare the 2009 team of Neuer, Özil, Boateng and Khedira with your current team?
Hrubesch: Normally I never compare. I find it difficult to compare striker with striker, or defender with defender. They are all distinct people who have integrated together in different ways.
Question: Mr Hrubesch, you are a passionate fisher, so which fish will your team pull out of the Vltava at these Euros?
Hrubesch: Hopefully a big one, but I don’t think any of them will be going fishing.
Horst Hrubesch became U21 European Champion in 2009 with Mesut Özil, Sami Khedira and co., and now he wants to repeat that feat in the Czech Republic. Germany begin their tournament against Serbia on Wednesday (20:45 CEST). Germany’s head coach has spoken in an interview about targets, the dream of the Olympics and a specially composed Euro song.
Question: Mr Hrubesch, your grandson was your good luck charm for the playoffs in October last year: is he with you in the Czech Republic?
Horst Hrubesch: We won’t need a good luck charm for the Euros; we have enough quality and confidence in the squad. In other words: we are going for the title. If we do that, I will of course be celebrating with my grandson again.
Question: Your players are barely older than your grandson, yet everyone credits you with the good connection. How has that come about?
Hrubesch: We have grown into a community. The players all come from different clubs, so we have to find a togetherness, which is what we have done as a team over the last two years, and that includes coaches and parents. And now we continue down that path.
Question: And how does the path look?
Hrubesch: You have to set yourself goals. I asked the boys, “do we want to be in the final or not?” The team definitely has the quality to do so. In the last month we’ve recognized that we can achieve this goal, that it’s not farfetched. This is the conviction that we compete with. But it will not be an easy tournament. First of all we have to beat a very strong Serbian team, and then there are possibly four more matches.
Question: You won the 2008 U19 European championship in the Czech Republic, where the slogan was “No empty hands”. Is there another slogan like that?
Hrubesch: A friend of Leo Bittencourt has written a song that all the boys seem to like, so they’ve chosen this song as “their” song. We’ll see if it helps…
Question: A place in the semi-finals also guarantees a ticket to the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Is that an added bonus?
Hrubesch: We want to qualify for the Olympics in Rio, no question. But I warn you, we have a difficult group. There will be no gifts from the opposition.
Question: Football in the shadow of the five rings – how enticing is that?
Hrubesch: Of course it’s enticing; there aren’t many Olympic gold medallists in football in Germany. If you get the chance to play for an Olympic medal in the sport that you love, then that should be your target. In any case, I am not the type who travels somewhere just to take part. When I do, I go there to win.
Question: One year ago you were missing a leader in the team. Has that changed?
Hrubesch: It’s always easier when you have one or two leaders from the beginning. In our case a few leading characters have developed, but because we don’t have a single leader, the responsibility is spread amongst various members. I actually find that quite a good thing.
Question: Is Emre Can such a leader?
Hrubesch: I am delighted with his development. It says a lot about someone when they can establish themselves in England like he has. I was just recently in Liverpool, and they confirmed to us that Emre would shortly be taking up Steven Gerrard’s midfield role. On one hand he is polite, friendly, clear and structured, but when he’s on the pitch he has an unbelievable presence. It’s a development that I find just fine.
Question: Who will be the star of the tournament?
Hrubesch: For me the most important thing is that the team is the star. Mesut Özil was always highlighted as the star of our 2009 Euro-winning team, but for me Gonzalo Castro was one of the decisive players. He had an outstanding championship. In 2009 we played as a team, even when we had individuals who could decide a game. It’s similar this time, but Lady Luck, as always, plays her part too.
Question: Can you compare the 2009 team of Neuer, Özil, Boateng and Khedira with your current team?
Hrubesch: Normally I never compare. I find it difficult to compare striker with striker, or defender with defender. They are all distinct people who have integrated together in different ways.
Question: Mr Hrubesch, you are a passionate fisher, so which fish will your team pull out of the Vltava at these Euros?
Hrubesch: Hopefully a big one, but I don’t think any of them will be going fishing.
