The score between Germany and Spain in the U17 European Championship quarter-final was 3-2 in the penalty shoot-out when Salih Özcan began his long walk from the half way line to the penalty spot, with the DFB side needing just one more goal in order to progress to the semi-final. Of all people Özcan, who had missed a penalty against the Czech Republic in a previous match in the tournament...
But the skipper of 1. FC Köln's U17 side held his nerve and confidently converted his penalty past Spain keeper Ignacio Penas Sotorres. What follows after that was pure joy. The 17-year-old spoke to DFB.de about what he still can remember from that game, what his qualities on the pitch are and why he is also a hero off of the pitch in Cologne.
DFB.de: Mr. Özcan, how does it feel to be among the four best teams in Europe?
Salih Özcan: That's something very special and something we can be very proud of. It hadn’t really sunk in straight after the game and we needed a night to sleep on it. But it feels great now.
DFB.de: You next face Russia in the semi-finals. What do you know about your next opponent?
Özcan: We played them twice when I was in the U16 side and won both games. But that isn’t relevant for the upcoming match. We also have a completely different team today compared with the one back then. Russia knocked out England in the quarter-finals, who were one of the favourites to win the title and that shows that they have quality. Our preparation for the game begins today and I'm confident that our coaching staff will do a great job.
DFB.de: Let's take a look back at the quarter-final. What went through your head when you stepped up to take the potentially match-winning penalty?
Özcan: The pressure at that moment was quite high. Especially for me, since I had already missed a penalty against the Czech Republic. Constantin Frommann was able to relieve the pressure slightly by saving two penalties. When I saw that the ball had gone in I felt a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders. The feeling of joy that I had at that moment can't be put into words.
DFB.de: You've played in various positions in midfield so far in the tournament. What are your qualities aside from taking important penalties?
Özcan: I win a lot of my challenges, both in defence and in attack. I also think that I have a good eye for my team mates and I'm able to distribute the ball well. That's why I feel the most comfortable playing in the middle, whether it's in defensive midfield or in a more attacking position.
DFB.de: Have you trained with the first team at your club 1. FC Köln?
Özcan: Yes, every few weeks we have a so called "pool-training", where the best players from the U17s, the U19s and the reserves get to take part in training with the first team. It is a great experience and one that shows how close we are as a club.
DFB.de: You have also made headlines off of the pitch in Cologne. Your face was all over the newspapers two years ago. What happened?
Özcan: I was in the tram on my way to school when we suddenly stopped and there was a loud crashing noise. I immediately jumped out of the tram to find out what had happened. A student had been hit while riding his bike. I immediately ran over to him and assisted a medical student in giving him first aid. He took care of his injuries, while I kept his mind occupied by talking to him until the ambulance arrived. Fortunately he was able to recover from that accident. I was surprised to find out that the media made such a big deal about it.
DFB.de: Are you always that helpful?
Özcan: Yes, my parents raised me in that way. They always taught me to help my fellow humans.
DFB.de: Is this an attitude you also bring to a football club?
Özcan: Well I haven’t needed to give someone first aid yet (laughs). We have a medical staff for that fortunately. If I do get involved in a conflict, I try to solve the problem in a calm manner. A positive spirit within a team is very important, especially during tournaments when you spend the good part of three weeks together. DFB President Wolfgang Niersbach told us the exact same thing before we took off for Bulgaria. And I think we are doing quite well at the moment.
created by mmc/fr
The score between Germany and Spain in the U17 European Championship quarter-final was 3-2 in the penalty shoot-out when Salih Özcan began his long walk from the half way line to the penalty spot, with the DFB side needing just one more goal in order to progress to the semi-final. Of all people Özcan, who had missed a penalty against the Czech Republic in a previous match in the tournament...
But the skipper of 1. FC Köln's U17 side held his nerve and confidently converted his penalty past Spain keeper Ignacio Penas Sotorres. What follows after that was pure joy. The 17-year-old spoke to DFB.de about what he still can remember from that game, what his qualities on the pitch are and why he is also a hero off of the pitch in Cologne.
DFB.de: Mr. Özcan, how does it feel to be among the four best teams in Europe?
Salih Özcan: That's something very special and something we can be very proud of. It hadn’t really sunk in straight after the game and we needed a night to sleep on it. But it feels great now.
DFB.de: You next face Russia in the semi-finals. What do you know about your next opponent?
Özcan: We played them twice when I was in the U16 side and won both games. But that isn’t relevant for the upcoming match. We also have a completely different team today compared with the one back then. Russia knocked out England in the quarter-finals, who were one of the favourites to win the title and that shows that they have quality. Our preparation for the game begins today and I'm confident that our coaching staff will do a great job.
DFB.de: Let's take a look back at the quarter-final. What went through your head when you stepped up to take the potentially match-winning penalty?
Özcan: The pressure at that moment was quite high. Especially for me, since I had already missed a penalty against the Czech Republic. Constantin Frommann was able to relieve the pressure slightly by saving two penalties. When I saw that the ball had gone in I felt a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders. The feeling of joy that I had at that moment can't be put into words.
DFB.de: You've played in various positions in midfield so far in the tournament. What are your qualities aside from taking important penalties?
Özcan: I win a lot of my challenges, both in defence and in attack. I also think that I have a good eye for my team mates and I'm able to distribute the ball well. That's why I feel the most comfortable playing in the middle, whether it's in defensive midfield or in a more attacking position.
DFB.de: Have you trained with the first team at your club 1. FC Köln?
Özcan: Yes, every few weeks we have a so called "pool-training", where the best players from the U17s, the U19s and the reserves get to take part in training with the first team. It is a great experience and one that shows how close we are as a club.
DFB.de: You have also made headlines off of the pitch in Cologne. Your face was all over the newspapers two years ago. What happened?
Özcan: I was in the tram on my way to school when we suddenly stopped and there was a loud crashing noise. I immediately jumped out of the tram to find out what had happened. A student had been hit while riding his bike. I immediately ran over to him and assisted a medical student in giving him first aid. He took care of his injuries, while I kept his mind occupied by talking to him until the ambulance arrived. Fortunately he was able to recover from that accident. I was surprised to find out that the media made such a big deal about it.
DFB.de: Are you always that helpful?
Özcan: Yes, my parents raised me in that way. They always taught me to help my fellow humans.
DFB.de: Is this an attitude you also bring to a football club?
Özcan: Well I haven’t needed to give someone first aid yet (laughs). We have a medical staff for that fortunately. If I do get involved in a conflict, I try to solve the problem in a calm manner. A positive spirit within a team is very important, especially during tournaments when you spend the good part of three weeks together. DFB President Wolfgang Niersbach told us the exact same thing before we took off for Bulgaria. And I think we are doing quite well at the moment.
