On the 23rd November 2015, Horst Hrubesch’s autobiography will be released. Biographer Andreas Schier has conducted a series of interviews with his close friends and colleagues over the last one and a half years. The focus was not so much his outstanding sporting career, but more Horst Hrubesch as a person. "It was a lot of fun," explained the 64-year-old. "I found a lot about my life through the project actually. It was good to see how everything was connected."
The European champion in 1980 is not looking to the past at the moment though, instead to the future. His U21 side are getting ready for their two upcoming European Championship qualifiers against Finland (Friday, 18:00 CEST) in Essen and the Faroe Islands (Tuesday, 18:30 CEST) in Tórshavn. Hrubesch speaks about the sporting expectations hanging over his team.
DFB.de: Mr. Hrubesch, you have named 21 players in your squad – a rather large number. Are you still trying to find your best side?
Horst Hrubesch: I am always trying to do that. The development of a team is always ongoing. The priority now though is to make the most of the relatively long period of time that we have together. This is important from a team building perspective.
DFB.de: Two centre halves, Jonathan Tah and Niklas Stark, have dropped out through injury. Is this is concern for you?
Hrubesch: No, we have a big squad. There are always going to be injuries, and I hope that the two of them make quick recoveries. Malcolm Cacutalua is very good cover to be able to call up. He has shown consistent good performances at Bochum and has earned his place in my squad.
DFB.de: Odisseas Vlachodimos, Marc Stendera and Jannik Haberer are also new faces in the squad.
Hrubesch: We missed Odisseas Vlachodimos and Marc Stendera for the start of the season. Jannik Haberer too, will add quality to our squad. All of our players have huge potential, but they will have to work harder in the next two years leading up to the European Championship, and mature as a team. We have the youngest U21 squad of all time – 11 players are in the 1995 age group, four even in 1996. And almost all of them have proven their quality in their respective teams either in the Bundesliga or second Bundesliga.
On the 23rd November 2015, Horst Hrubesch’s autobiography will be released. Biographer Andreas Schier has conducted a series of interviews with his close friends and colleagues over the last one and a half years. The focus was not so much his outstanding sporting career, but more Horst Hrubesch as a person. "It was a lot of fun," explained the 64-year-old. "I found a lot about my life through the project actually. It was good to see how everything was connected."
The European champion in 1980 is not looking to the past at the moment though, instead to the future. His U21 side are getting ready for their two upcoming European Championship qualifiers against Finland (Friday, 18:00 CEST) in Essen and the Faroe Islands (Tuesday, 18:30 CEST) in Tórshavn. Hrubesch speaks about the sporting expectations hanging over his team.
DFB.de: Mr. Hrubesch, you have named 21 players in your squad – a rather large number. Are you still trying to find your best side?
Horst Hrubesch: I am always trying to do that. The development of a team is always ongoing. The priority now though is to make the most of the relatively long period of time that we have together. This is important from a team building perspective.
DFB.de: Two centre halves, Jonathan Tah and Niklas Stark, have dropped out through injury. Is this is concern for you?
Hrubesch: No, we have a big squad. There are always going to be injuries, and I hope that the two of them make quick recoveries. Malcolm Cacutalua is very good cover to be able to call up. He has shown consistent good performances at Bochum and has earned his place in my squad.
DFB.de: Odisseas Vlachodimos, Marc Stendera and Jannik Haberer are also new faces in the squad.
Hrubesch: We missed Odisseas Vlachodimos and Marc Stendera for the start of the season. Jannik Haberer too, will add quality to our squad. All of our players have huge potential, but they will have to work harder in the next two years leading up to the European Championship, and mature as a team. We have the youngest U21 squad of all time – 11 players are in the 1995 age group, four even in 1996. And almost all of them have proven their quality in their respective teams either in the Bundesliga or second Bundesliga.
DFB.de: Finland and the Faroe Islands are your next challenge as a team. Is the Finland match coming at the right time?
Hrubesch: Finland have started their campaign perfectly with two wins, one against Russia. They are top of the table, but we want to change that. It will be a good measure of where we are, and I’m sure the crowd will enjoy it.
DFB.de: If you look back at your career, then Essen actually plays a role. It was where you first took to the biggest footballing stage. Is the match special because of your upcoming book release?
Hrubesch: I was already 24 when I went pro. My players today are all 19, 20 and they have all made it. It’s almost impossible today. My story shows that it’s never too late, and that hard work is more important than just talent. It is always special to come back to Essen, of course. I feel very attached to the club, the city and its people.
DFB.de: After Essen, you travel to the Faroe Islands. What do you expect from the match?
Hrubesch: A match that we have to take seriously. Our aim is to win every game and cement our position at the top of the table. For that reason, the next two matches are of immense importance.
