DFB.de: What’s the plan until the match?
Rauch: We trained this morning and spoke about a few aspects of the match. This evening we will look at the opponent in more detail. On the day of the match it’s mainly about building up the excitement of playing a semi-final, which we hope will be a successful one.
DFB.de: The match will be shown live on Eurosport – is that further motivation?
Rauch: That will push us on even further, and our friends and family can now watch us from home. Something like that spurs you on a lot, and we want to show what we’ve got.
The anticipation is huge – the U19s Women have reached the semi-finals of the European Championship in Israel and so secured their spot at the U20 World Cup in 2016. Maren Meinert’s team can now go into the semi-final against Sweden in Netanya with a weight off their shoulders. A large audience is guaranteed, with Eurosport showing the game on Friday evening.
If Germany wants to progress against the Scandinavians to the final, they will need another strong performance. U19’s player Felicitas Rauch spoke in an interview with DFB.de about the next opponent and tired legs. The 19-year-old Turbine Potsdam player is a midfielder and has so far played every minute of the three games.
DFB.de: Felicitas Rauch, how tired and heavy are your legs since the last game?
Felicitas Rauch: Still a bit tired (laughs). We started the post-match recuperation straight after the win against Spain. Ice baths and massages are very good and our physios do great work to keep us fit and relaxed. So I can’t really complain about heavy legs.
DFB.de: Germany qualified for the semi-finals of the Euros as group winner. What can you take with from the first three games?
Rauch: We had three quality opponents and had to give our everything for the entire 90 minutes – which we did. That was rather important and definitely a key to success. Maybe we had a bit of luck in some situations, but we earned it. When the full-time whistle blew at the end of the match against Spain, there was a weight off my mind. We were so happy.
DFB.de: You now have the semi-final against Sweden to come on Friday. How do you rate them?
Rauch: Sweden are a robust team. It will be a very intense game. We have to compete for every ball. When we get a chance to score, it’s important that we take them.
DFB.de: What’s the plan until the match?
Rauch: We trained this morning and spoke about a few aspects of the match. This evening we will look at the opponent in more detail. On the day of the match it’s mainly about building up the excitement of playing a semi-final, which we hope will be a successful one.
DFB.de: The match will be shown live on Eurosport – is that further motivation?
Rauch: That will push us on even further, and our friends and family can now watch us from home. Something like that spurs you on a lot, and we want to show what we’ve got.
