Schönweitz: "EURO elimination is a chance"

The result of the European Championships in Azerbaijan is that the Germany U17s are one of the best four teams in Europe. Time to relax then? No chance. Germany coach Meikel Schönweitz has now analysed the situation following the narrow 2-1 defeat against Spain in the semi-finals. The U17s departed Baku on Friday morning and all 18 players are now home again. During that time, there was a chance to look back on the tournament: the performance, the general level and the experience gained, and Meikel Schönweitz has spoken about this with DFB.de. The coach also reveals how things will progress for the current crop of U17s and for him personally.

DFB.de: Mr Schönweitz, the Germany U17s lost the semi-final against Spain 2-1. How have you been able to encourage your team after failing to reach the final?

Meikel Schönweitz: By giving the players a clear task. Following the original disappointment, we now have to look at this defeat as a chance to improve. It’s not about simply seeking out faults but the solutions. The boys have achieved a lot in this tournament, have made great strides forward in a short space of time and have overcome many difficult challenges. We simply could not get the better of Spain on the day. So it’s about finding the means and the way to do better next time, and that was the task and the message: to try every day to improve. We were better on the final day of the tournament than we were on the first, but in the semi-final we saw what we still have to do to improve.

DFB.de: In your first interview after the final whistle, you spoke about how the team missed the chance to go 2-0 up and then control the game in the second half. What conclusions can you draw from this intense and high-quality match?

Schönweitz: That we played very well against an even better team who simply offered two or three percent more than us. You just have to accept that in such a sporting situation. However, you cannot be happy with that either and you have to develop the desire to become better and offer this extra two or three percent ourselves in the next match.

DFB.de: There are still many positive impressions despite the defeat. The current U17 cohort are one of the best four teams in Europe and put in some convincing performances. What is your overall summary of the tournament performance?

Schönweitz: On one hand, for me it important to discuss ‘what’ we have achieved, but even more important to talk about ‘how’. That has to be the priority in the youth teams because it’s about player development. The facts are clear: we deservedly reached the semi-finals, making us one of the best four teams in Europe, but we were just a few minutes short of making it into the final. The ‘how’ was very impressive: we played with courageous, creative attacking football and continuously worked hard off the ball after difficult starts. We played as a unit and performed our tasks with gusto.

DFB.de: How can you make sure than the right learning process is achieved from this experience, because that is enormously important for young players?

Schönweitz: This started during the tournament. The boys have learnt what needs to be done to win against destructive teams, against physically strong teams as well as against technically and tactically well-drilled teams. And they have learnt during this tournament how to deal with the pressure that comes from a tournament, including having your games shown live on TV and the increased awareness because of that.

DFB.de: What other sort of experience have the players gained?

Schönweitz: They have felt first-hand how far you can go when you combine pre-existing quality with hard, honest work, passion and discipline. They have also seen what you still need to do after deservedly reaching the semi-finals to go a step further. And the players should not simply have wait for the next tournament but continue improving on a daily basis with their clubs. And the high level in the German youth development centres provides the perfect conditions for that.

DFB.de: You watched and analysed many players and countries during the European U17 Championship. In what ways can the Germany team still improve?

Schönweitz: In the core of the team, in one-on-one situations. We have a very high technical level in German football and have very creative and tactically flexible players. We also had an excellent EUROs in terms of team spirit and the implementation of basic virtues such as disciple, resilience and passion. But then we showed in the semi-final against Spain that we still have room to improve at this level in terms of one-on-one situations.

DFB.de: France were defending champions but were eliminated in the group stage. Spain only reached the knock-out rounds with difficulty but are now in the final on Saturday. How do you rate the quality level of this European U17 Championship?

Schönweitz: Every mistake at this level is punished, and that means that even qualification for the tournament itself is not guaranteed, even for the most talented sides. In the first two games we had to deal with destructive teams who were extremely physically talented and played with passion. Austria had a good plan in the third match but we found a solution to that. Looking at the games in the knock-out round, the tournament offered a lot in terms of technique and tactics. It’s impressive to see the level of the teams and their intensity here. It’s nice to see that we are one of the best at this level.

DFB.de: What does the future hold for this U17 cohort?

Schönweitz: Now it’s about returning to their clubs and finishing the season. Some of the boys still have a chance of winning domestic titles. After that they will have a well-deserved summer holiday. This group will then continue as the Germany U18s in October.

DFB.de: You yourself will be part of the coaching staff at the European U19 Championship in Germany between 11th and 24th July. In what way is this additional insight important for you?

Schönweitz: We know that we are a team within the DFB and we support each other where we can. And that will be the same at the U19 EUROs. I understand that it is less important for me but I will try to support the U19 coaching staff with the fresh insight I have gained from the U17 EUROs.