The team’s big dream of making it to the final of the UEFA European U19 Championship in Sinsheim is over but that doesn’t mean they don’t have what feels like a final tonight. They will not be playing for the European Championship when they face the Netherlands, but the match will decide who qualifies for the FIFA 2017 U20 World Cup. Five places are reserved for European teams in the World Cup and they are given to the semi-finalists and one of the two third placed teams, which is what will be decided this evening.
The meaning of the clash between the neighbours is also clear. The team that wins will be able to have additional tournament experience next year. Something that both U19’s coach Guido Streichsbier and DFB’s director of Sport Hansi Flick both see as important. “This intense two weeks of a match every three-days against the best teams from the continent has definitely helped the boys' development,” explained Streichsbier. As well as the performances on the pitch, the experience the players have collected and the way they've grown at the European Championship is important.
Streichsbier expecting a “very tactical duel”
Both sides have had a turbulent run so far at the EURO. Following two defeats in their first two games of the tournament against Italy (1-0) and Portugal (4-3), the DFB U19s secured a 3-0 victory against Austria in the first of their must-win games to qualify for the fifth-place play-off. The Netherlands had their results the other way round, wining 3-1 against Croatia before losing their next two matches 1-0 to Italy and 5-1 to France.
Guido Streichsbier is staying realistic ahead of the game. The 46-year-old is of course looking forward to it as well though: “The lads showed against Austra that they can deal with pressure. It will definitely help us in this play-off.” Nevertheless the team’s head coach is expecting a “very tactical duel” which will depend on the way the team’s play.
Gino Fechner to miss out
Germany will be facing a typical Dutch team that lines up in the Dutch's usual 4-3-3 system. “They have well-drilled players and individual talents in attack,” said Streichsbier, who wants his team’s defence to stay compact and to keep the gaps small. The team has scored six goals in their last two games to quell debate about the strikers in Germany’s youth football following the 1-0 loss to Italy.
Streichsbier will have to do without the suspended Gino Fechner, who picked up his second yellow card against Austria. Luckily the U19’s coach has a ready-made alternative, “Suat Serdar plays in this position. Amara Conde did well against Austria and and Max Besuschkow can also play in the centre,” explained Streichsbier. All of the other players are available despite a few knocks. “They are all fit after three matches in seven days.”
Streichsbier: “Seize the chance”
It’s a special match for U19’s captain Benedikt Gimber. Streichsbier spoke of the player’s quality: “He is very calm and it rubs off on the group.” The 19-year-old will be loaned to SV Sandhausen from Hoffenheim next season and would like to win his first “home game” and qualify for the U20 World Cup. “We have to seize this opportunity because this age group are in the middle of developing. They will then be able to continue this next year and have a chance of the real success they all hope for,” said Streichsbier.
There will be a new addition to the rules for the beginning of the knockout rounds. A fourth substitute will be permitted if the match goes to extra time in the semi-finals or World Cup play-off, in order to stop players from being overworked. “As a coach I am open to this idea,” said Guido Streichsbier. “The lads have played three games in seven days with only an 18-man squad to choose from. It takes a toll on the players.”
This change to the rules will be implemented not just at the European U19 Championship in 2016 and 2017,but also in the 2016 and 2017 Women’s U19 EURO as well as the 2017 European U21 Championship. Coaches will also be able to make a fourth substitute during extra time at the Olympics in Rio (5th to 21st August).
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The team’s big dream of making it to the final of the UEFA European U19 Championship in Sinsheim is over but that doesn’t mean they don’t have what feels like a final tonight. They will not be playing for the European Championship when they face the Netherlands, but the match will decide who qualifies for the FIFA 2017 U20 World Cup. Five places are reserved for European teams in the World Cup and they are given to the semi-finalists and one of the two third placed teams, which is what will be decided this evening.
The meaning of the clash between the neighbours is also clear. The team that wins will be able to have additional tournament experience next year. Something that both U19’s coach Guido Streichsbier and DFB’s director of Sport Hansi Flick both see as important. “This intense two weeks of a match every three-days against the best teams from the continent has definitely helped the boys' development,” explained Streichsbier. As well as the performances on the pitch, the experience the players have collected and the way they've grown at the European Championship is important.
Streichsbier expecting a “very tactical duel”
Both sides have had a turbulent run so far at the EURO. Following two defeats in their first two games of the tournament against Italy (1-0) and Portugal (4-3), the DFB U19s secured a 3-0 victory against Austria in the first of their must-win games to qualify for the fifth-place play-off. The Netherlands had their results the other way round, wining 3-1 against Croatia before losing their next two matches 1-0 to Italy and 5-1 to France.
Guido Streichsbier is staying realistic ahead of the game. The 46-year-old is of course looking forward to it as well though: “The lads showed against Austra that they can deal with pressure. It will definitely help us in this play-off.” Nevertheless the team’s head coach is expecting a “very tactical duel” which will depend on the way the team’s play.
Gino Fechner to miss out
Germany will be facing a typical Dutch team that lines up in the Dutch's usual 4-3-3 system. “They have well-drilled players and individual talents in attack,” said Streichsbier, who wants his team’s defence to stay compact and to keep the gaps small. The team has scored six goals in their last two games to quell debate about the strikers in Germany’s youth football following the 1-0 loss to Italy.
Streichsbier will have to do without the suspended Gino Fechner, who picked up his second yellow card against Austria. Luckily the U19’s coach has a ready-made alternative, “Suat Serdar plays in this position. Amara Conde did well against Austria and and Max Besuschkow can also play in the centre,” explained Streichsbier. All of the other players are available despite a few knocks. “They are all fit after three matches in seven days.”
Streichsbier: “Seize the chance”
It’s a special match for U19’s captain Benedikt Gimber. Streichsbier spoke of the player’s quality: “He is very calm and it rubs off on the group.” The 19-year-old will be loaned to SV Sandhausen from Hoffenheim next season and would like to win his first “home game” and qualify for the U20 World Cup. “We have to seize this opportunity because this age group are in the middle of developing. They will then be able to continue this next year and have a chance of the real success they all hope for,” said Streichsbier.
There will be a new addition to the rules for the beginning of the knockout rounds. A fourth substitute will be permitted if the match goes to extra time in the semi-finals or World Cup play-off, in order to stop players from being overworked. “As a coach I am open to this idea,” said Guido Streichsbier. “The lads have played three games in seven days with only an 18-man squad to choose from. It takes a toll on the players.”
This change to the rules will be implemented not just at the European U19 Championship in 2016 and 2017,but also in the 2016 and 2017 Women’s U19 EURO as well as the 2017 European U21 Championship. Coaches will also be able to make a fourth substitute during extra time at the Olympics in Rio (5th to 21st August).
