Kuntz: I have got a final conclusion just yet but I’ll be able to do that after Thursday and Friday’s sessions. Although all in all everything has been ideal. We have made a great choice with the hotel and the best training facilities. The grounds staff did a great job, and we were even able to play yesterday’s friendly on a perfect pitch despite the bad weather. High praise also to our medical department, who have treated all the injured players so well, to allow them to train. We have completed all of our sessions so far with a full squad.
DFB.de: You mentioned the two 60 minute games, 4-0 versus the Student national side and a 5-0 against TSV 1860 Rosenheim. What did you notice?
Kuntz: The main point of the games was to try a few things out, such as tactical nuances that we had spoken about in training. We also let the players choose a few formations and set piece routines themselves. That seemed to work because we scored three of the nine goals from set piece positions. That will do the confidence a world of good.
DFB.de: You also talked to the players about things concerning their mental strength. What was that about?
Kuntz: We set up a workshop for the boys here. They should be able to figure out this five to 10% of the performance themselves, which cannot be changed because it comes purely from the mind. They decided in groups what kind of characteristics are needed to unlock this final 10 per cent or so. As well as the physical and tactical components this aspect of the game is so important to have a winning mentality.
DFB.de: Have you already got your positions worked out, or your fixed starting XI. What about the goalkeeping situation?
Kuntz: The keeping scenario is very much open, all three of them have done well in training. We’ll make a decision later in the week. Otherwise we have a lot of good players, some who are already basically in the team if they are fit. The other spaces are very much open.
DFB.de: What do you pay close attention to when putting the squad together?
Tuesday saw DFB under-21 coach Stefan Kuntz choose his final 23-man squad for the European Championships in Poland following a training camp in Grassau. The original 25-man preliminary squad has been reduced by two after Hannover 96’s Waldemar Anton and Timo Baumgartl of VfB Stuttgart were not officially selected. Kuntz spoke to DFB.de to about his decision and the reaction of his players - as well as providing an overview of the last two days.
DFB.de: Mr. Kuntz, you have chosen your final 23-player squad for the Euros. Timo Baumgartl and Waldemar Anton were not selected, why was this?
Stefan Kuntz: It was a very hard decision to make - Waldemar and Timo gave a great account of themselves in training. It’s more a case of the the state of the squad and not their performance. For example the state of Jonathan Tah and Niklas Stark means that we have two central defenders in addition to Marc-Oliver Kempf and Gideon Jung. We also have Thilo Kehrer who can play in the middle, so it was a case of who we had and in what position. I said it’s a sign of how good the team is, that these two were not able to make the final squad.
DFB.de: How did you left everyone know and how did the boys react?
Kuntz: We spoke to a lot of players: Waldemar Anton and Timo Baumgartl as well as Lukas Klünter and Felix Platte. The two new guys also needed to understand why we had kept them. We thanks Waldemar and Timo for their professional behavior. They performed to a very high level in training. The boys then celebrated and applauded loudly, which was very much deserved.
DFB.de: How did those concerned react?
Kuntz: It’s obviously a big disappointment for them both. A small conciliation is that being born in 1996 means they will both be available for the next Euros and we can work with them to help them achieve their goals from the start of next season. They both went home today and wrote in our team chat group that they’ll be crossing their fingers for us that we bring home the trophy. That shows what great character they both have. It made me proud to see it.
DFB.de: Seven days of the training camp have passed, and two are left. How has it all gone so far?
Kuntz: I have got a final conclusion just yet but I’ll be able to do that after Thursday and Friday’s sessions. Although all in all everything has been ideal. We have made a great choice with the hotel and the best training facilities. The grounds staff did a great job, and we were even able to play yesterday’s friendly on a perfect pitch despite the bad weather. High praise also to our medical department, who have treated all the injured players so well, to allow them to train. We have completed all of our sessions so far with a full squad.
DFB.de: You mentioned the two 60 minute games, 4-0 versus the Student national side and a 5-0 against TSV 1860 Rosenheim. What did you notice?
Kuntz: The main point of the games was to try a few things out, such as tactical nuances that we had spoken about in training. We also let the players choose a few formations and set piece routines themselves. That seemed to work because we scored three of the nine goals from set piece positions. That will do the confidence a world of good.
DFB.de: You also talked to the players about things concerning their mental strength. What was that about?
Kuntz: We set up a workshop for the boys here. They should be able to figure out this five to 10% of the performance themselves, which cannot be changed because it comes purely from the mind. They decided in groups what kind of characteristics are needed to unlock this final 10 per cent or so. As well as the physical and tactical components this aspect of the game is so important to have a winning mentality.
DFB.de: Have you already got your positions worked out, or your fixed starting XI. What about the goalkeeping situation?
Kuntz: The keeping scenario is very much open, all three of them have done well in training. We’ll make a decision later in the week. Otherwise we have a lot of good players, some who are already basically in the team if they are fit. The other spaces are very much open.
DFB.de: What do you pay close attention to when putting the squad together?
Kuntz: Of course we are looking to have two players for every position, that is the first criteria. But we are also looking for special qualities from the players, and we are focused on finding them. Things like set piece strength, ability in the air and players who can decide games. They are the ones with the best mental strength; those who do not feel nerves when the pressure is on and who can steady the ship when the waters are rough. As well as that, you need players with pace, players who can use the ball well and players with high tactical intelligence. All of these factors are taken into account when putting the team together.
DFB.de: Germany will play the Czech Republic, Denmark and Italy in the first round of the competition. Have you been doing specific work to counter these opponents’ threats?
Kuntz: Certainly. A lot of our exercises have been based on making sure we are a match for our opponents in their strong areas and looking to deal with these things specifically.
DFB.de: The team have three days off between the end of the training camp and their meeting again in Frankfurt. How important is this break ahead of the flight to Poland?
Kuntz: When we allow the boys to go home, they can recharge their batteries a bit and enjoy some times with their family and friends. After an intense eight days with the team, especially on the physical side, it is good for them to switch off and come back with clear heads.
