Germany U21s will face England on Tuesday (18:00 CEST) in the semi-final of the U21 European Championship. However, Stefan Kuntz and goalkeeper Julian Pollersbeck were in a relaxed mood at the press conference ahead of the crunch match. In response to a question from an English reporter about a potential penalty shootout, Kuntz said, "We don't practise penalties because I don't think that's something you can simulate." Pollersbeck added that he last experienced a penalty shootout in his youth in indoor football.
Kuntz wants to "avoid penalties if at all possible" and he is expecting an open encounter: "It'll be a 50/50 game. The team that plays better on the day has the better chance of winning."
Kuntz is planning to analyse the opposition intently on Monday evening. "In England we'll be facing a team that's different to Italy and we will be prepared," said the U21 head coach.
Pollersbeck: "I need to concentrate on what I can do"
Pollersbeck, who was voted Germany's man of the match in the Italy game wants to focus on his strengths against England, in order to have an uncomplicated game. "We need to have clear heads, concentrate and just play our game," said the goalie. "I can't play like ter Stegen and chip the ball to a man on the half-way line. I need to concentrate on what I can do."
After Germany's meeting with England in Tychy, the other semi-final between Spain and Italy will take place in Krakow (21:00 CEST). "These are the four best teams in Europe," said Kuntz. "We're looking forward to the challenge and we want to test ourselves against these teams. Afterwards we will know whether we were better, or whether we must use the experience in order to become better."
Germany U21s will face England on Tuesday (18:00 CEST) in the semi-final of the U21 European Championship. However, Stefan Kuntz and goalkeeper Julian Pollersbeck were in a relaxed mood at the press conference ahead of the crunch match. In response to a question from an English reporter about a potential penalty shootout, Kuntz said, "We don't practise penalties because I don't think that's something you can simulate." Pollersbeck added that he last experienced a penalty shootout in his youth in indoor football.
Kuntz wants to "avoid penalties if at all possible" and he is expecting an open encounter: "It'll be a 50/50 game. The team that plays better on the day has the better chance of winning."
Kuntz is planning to analyse the opposition intently on Monday evening. "In England we'll be facing a team that's different to Italy and we will be prepared," said the U21 head coach.
Pollersbeck: "I need to concentrate on what I can do"
Pollersbeck, who was voted Germany's man of the match in the Italy game wants to focus on his strengths against England, in order to have an uncomplicated game. "We need to have clear heads, concentrate and just play our game," said the goalie. "I can't play like ter Stegen and chip the ball to a man on the half-way line. I need to concentrate on what I can do."
After Germany's meeting with England in Tychy, the other semi-final between Spain and Italy will take place in Krakow (21:00 CEST). "These are the four best teams in Europe," said Kuntz. "We're looking forward to the challenge and we want to test ourselves against these teams. Afterwards we will know whether we were better, or whether we must use the experience in order to become better."
