Jones: They are a different opponent with a different style of play. I can imagine that certain players will start again, but I have a very flexible team which I can change in various positions. There's no A or B team.
Question: It was your first tournament match as head coach, was it emotionally strenuous?
Jones: I shared the thrill of the occasion. When you get a corner, for example, you have that feeling that you hope it goes in. I was emotional but also confident. In the second half I thought we had control of the game and were just lacking a goal. Then you make changes and you hope you'll find one. That's quite draining so it's a test of what you're made of.
Question: How are you and the team going to work towards the next game?
Jones: I will analyse the game. Then we'll start working towards Italy. At training on Wednesday we'll work on shapes of play and finishing in the final third. It was a learning process for the team with the late kick off time and having the whole day to prepare. You need to analyse all of that and then eventually adjust.
Question: You built up to this game for a long time and there was a lot of emotion around it. Is it a relief to have finally got underway?
Jones: I'm pleased to have finally got started at the tournament. It's a relief that the first match is over and we got a draw. It's slightly different when you're the head coach. You're mainly responsible, have to tell players when they're not playing, you have a different responsibility and a different sort of pressure, but I don't struggle with that.
The Germany Women's team began their title defence of the European Championship with a 0-0 draw against Sweden in Holland. Steffi Jones' side failed to convert some good chances in the match and afterwards she spoke to us about the goalless draw, the upcoming tasks and her first appearance as a head coach at a major tournament.
Question: Mrs Jones, how would you reflect on the 0-0 opening draw with Sweden?
Steffi Jones: It was a very intense match. We can build on what we did in the second half. We had some good play, but were lacking the final action in front of goal.
Question: What did you notice in particular that you're going to take into the next game?
Jones: There's not much time for training. I said to the team after the match that they shouldn't be too disappointed or doubt themselves because we played a good second half. We want to continue to be assured in our combination play, confident on the ball and create chances. We just need to be a bit more forceful in front of goal.
Question: What was behind your decision to deploy Kristin Demann in holding midfield and play Sara Däbritz in attacking midfield?
Jones: Sara has often played in that position for us. Kristin is incredibly calm on the ball, she has vision and can still find teammates with passes even when she's under pressure. She's an important playmaker when we have possession, but also offers cover when we attack. Sara is great going forward, can score goals and is strong in the challenge. She played well in previous matches there.
Question: Will you set up differently against Italy?
Jones: They are a different opponent with a different style of play. I can imagine that certain players will start again, but I have a very flexible team which I can change in various positions. There's no A or B team.
Question: It was your first tournament match as head coach, was it emotionally strenuous?
Jones: I shared the thrill of the occasion. When you get a corner, for example, you have that feeling that you hope it goes in. I was emotional but also confident. In the second half I thought we had control of the game and were just lacking a goal. Then you make changes and you hope you'll find one. That's quite draining so it's a test of what you're made of.
Question: How are you and the team going to work towards the next game?
Jones: I will analyse the game. Then we'll start working towards Italy. At training on Wednesday we'll work on shapes of play and finishing in the final third. It was a learning process for the team with the late kick off time and having the whole day to prepare. You need to analyse all of that and then eventually adjust.
Question: You built up to this game for a long time and there was a lot of emotion around it. Is it a relief to have finally got underway?
Jones: I'm pleased to have finally got started at the tournament. It's a relief that the first match is over and we got a draw. It's slightly different when you're the head coach. You're mainly responsible, have to tell players when they're not playing, you have a different responsibility and a different sort of pressure, but I don't struggle with that.
