The main aim to reach Prague: The Germany U21 team take part in the European Championship in the Czech Republic this summer and will be hoping to regain the title they last won in 2009. Horst Hrubesch coached the team to success in 2009 and will be in charge this year. He spoke to DFB.de about preparation for the tournament, the squad and overall aims for 2015.
DFB.de: Mr Hrubesch, did you think about the European Championship as the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve?
Horst Hrubesch: First and foremost I was happy to celebrate with my family. It’s important to have time for things that aren’t directly related to football but obviously I cast a quick thought to the tournament. We have a big year ahead of us and will work hard to achieve our goals.
DFB.de: How do you see preparation for the tournament panning out?
Hrubesch: In March we have two difficult friendlies. We play Italy in Paderborn on 27th March and travel to England three days later. Both games will be tough and offers the players a good opportunity to impress ahead of the tournament. We’ll have two training camps once the domestic season has ended before travelling to the tournament.
DFB.de: This suggests that you don’t know the squad you are taking to the tournament yet…
Hrubesch: Nothing has been finalised yet. I’ve always said that we have a lot of quality players at our disposal and I’m continually impressed by their ability. I have to have picked a squad by summer, but until then the door is open.
DFB.de: Jogi Löw often speaks about the quality of the U21 players…
Hrubesch: That speaks volumes about the hard work that has been put into the team over the years. Five players who won the World Cup in Brazil are still eligible to play in this year’s U21 European Championship. Half a dozen players made their senior debut last year, having played for the U21s too.
DFB.de: What are your aims for 2015?
Hrubesch: We want to compete for the title. We go into the year with plenty of self confidence, knowing that injured players will return and I know how hungry the team is for success. The team spirit is high and as a result of this I feel that we’ll give a good account of ourselves.
DFB.de: The competition between the goalkeepers has been intense. Marc-André ter Stegen and Bernd Leno are challenging for the spot. What do you make of this?
Hrubesch: I have four excellent goalkeepers. Alongside ter Stegen and Leno, I also have Timo Horn and Loris Karius available. They both have plenty of Bundesliga experience. The goalkeeping position is a good example of how much quality there is at U21 level in Germany.
DFB.de: You coached the team that won the tournament in 2009. Sami Khedira was captain; Manuel Neuer was between the sticks and four other members of the 2014 World Cup winning squad also played. How would you compare the current squad with the class of 2009?
Hrubesch: In 2009 the team spirit was excellent. Players like Khedira took on plenty of responsibility and the will to win was clear for all to see. The current team know what it takes to win – they saw what happened at the World Cup in 2014. That will certainly help us.
DFB.de: If you reach the semis of the European Championship, you also qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Is that an appealing prospect?
Hrubesch: The Olympic Games are, alongside the World Cup, one of the biggest tournaments a sportsman can play in. I said in 2013 that I want us to be part of the Olympics and that hasn’t changed. Our main aim is to win this tournament but the Olympics are certainly a target too.
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The main aim to reach Prague: The Germany U21 team take part in the European Championship in the Czech Republic this summer and will be hoping to regain the title they last won in 2009. Horst Hrubesch coached the team to success in 2009 and will be in charge this year. He spoke to DFB.de about preparation for the tournament, the squad and overall aims for 2015.
DFB.de: Mr Hrubesch, did you think about the European Championship as the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve?
Horst Hrubesch: First and foremost I was happy to celebrate with my family. It’s important to have time for things that aren’t directly related to football but obviously I cast a quick thought to the tournament. We have a big year ahead of us and will work hard to achieve our goals.
DFB.de: How do you see preparation for the tournament panning out?
Hrubesch: In March we have two difficult friendlies. We play Italy in Paderborn on 27th March and travel to England three days later. Both games will be tough and offers the players a good opportunity to impress ahead of the tournament. We’ll have two training camps once the domestic season has ended before travelling to the tournament.
DFB.de: This suggests that you don’t know the squad you are taking to the tournament yet…
Hrubesch: Nothing has been finalised yet. I’ve always said that we have a lot of quality players at our disposal and I’m continually impressed by their ability. I have to have picked a squad by summer, but until then the door is open.
DFB.de: Jogi Löw often speaks about the quality of the U21 players…
Hrubesch: That speaks volumes about the hard work that has been put into the team over the years. Five players who won the World Cup in Brazil are still eligible to play in this year’s U21 European Championship. Half a dozen players made their senior debut last year, having played for the U21s too.
DFB.de: What are your aims for 2015?
Hrubesch: We want to compete for the title. We go into the year with plenty of self confidence, knowing that injured players will return and I know how hungry the team is for success. The team spirit is high and as a result of this I feel that we’ll give a good account of ourselves.
DFB.de: The competition between the goalkeepers has been intense. Marc-André ter Stegen and Bernd Leno are challenging for the spot. What do you make of this?
Hrubesch: I have four excellent goalkeepers. Alongside ter Stegen and Leno, I also have Timo Horn and Loris Karius available. They both have plenty of Bundesliga experience. The goalkeeping position is a good example of how much quality there is at U21 level in Germany.
DFB.de: You coached the team that won the tournament in 2009. Sami Khedira was captain; Manuel Neuer was between the sticks and four other members of the 2014 World Cup winning squad also played. How would you compare the current squad with the class of 2009?
Hrubesch: In 2009 the team spirit was excellent. Players like Khedira took on plenty of responsibility and the will to win was clear for all to see. The current team know what it takes to win – they saw what happened at the World Cup in 2014. That will certainly help us.
DFB.de: If you reach the semis of the European Championship, you also qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Is that an appealing prospect?
Hrubesch: The Olympic Games are, alongside the World Cup, one of the biggest tournaments a sportsman can play in. I said in 2013 that I want us to be part of the Olympics and that hasn’t changed. Our main aim is to win this tournament but the Olympics are certainly a target too.
