They have managed to reach the final unbeaten and so have secured their place for the World Cup in Jordan, but now the Germany U17 Women are looking to get over the final hurdle and fulfil their dreams of winning the European Championship. However, the task awaiting coach Anouschka Bernhard’s Germany team today (19:00 CEST) is a tough one as they face last year’s winners Spain, who have also reached the final undefeated.
These sides will meet for the second time this European Championship in Belarus when they play in Borisov. The previous encounter ended 2-2 in the first match of the group stage. A meeting of equals, but there cannot be a draw in the final.
Grown together as a team
“I am expecting a very tight, interesting and equal match. It will be a final of high quality,” said Bernhard. “We have taken confidence from the first meeting with Spain because that was a very good match by us.” The team has also improved game by game and has grown together. Germany beat England 4-3 last time out and showed mental strength as well as an impressive performance. Germany twice went ahead before England struck back. “We fought until the end and never forgot our aim,” said captain Janina Minge.
“This desire and strength on the pitch are a feature of our team,” said Bernhard – one that could be decisive in the final today. “Every player will run for the others and we will give everything to fulfil our dream,” said Janina Minge. The Germany team are ready for the final and the team spirit is palpable.
"We can introduce quality with our changes"
The attitude and atmosphere in the team speaks volumes, and it should also be noted that Anouschka Bernhard can draw on a very broad squad. “We have a lot of strong players and can also introduce quality with our changes,” said Bernhard. For example, Vanessa Ziegler came into the side for the semi-final and scored two goals. “Other countries have more problems in this respect. We can vary ourselves more, including in the starting XI.”
Several thousand spectators are expected to attend the final at the Borisov Arena, which was only opened in 2014. Anouschka Bernhard said, “The atmosphere at previous games has been very good. We are looking forward to playing in a nice stadium again. That could also push the players even more.”
They have managed to reach the final unbeaten and so have secured their place for the World Cup in Jordan, but now the Germany U17 Women are looking to get over the final hurdle and fulfil their dreams of winning the European Championship. However, the task awaiting coach Anouschka Bernhard’s Germany team today (19:00 CEST) is a tough one as they face last year’s winners Spain, who have also reached the final undefeated.
These sides will meet for the second time this European Championship in Belarus when they play in Borisov. The previous encounter ended 2-2 in the first match of the group stage. A meeting of equals, but there cannot be a draw in the final.
Grown together as a team
“I am expecting a very tight, interesting and equal match. It will be a final of high quality,” said Bernhard. “We have taken confidence from the first meeting with Spain because that was a very good match by us.” The team has also improved game by game and has grown together. Germany beat England 4-3 last time out and showed mental strength as well as an impressive performance. Germany twice went ahead before England struck back. “We fought until the end and never forgot our aim,” said captain Janina Minge.
“This desire and strength on the pitch are a feature of our team,” said Bernhard – one that could be decisive in the final today. “Every player will run for the others and we will give everything to fulfil our dream,” said Janina Minge. The Germany team are ready for the final and the team spirit is palpable.
"We can introduce quality with our changes"
The attitude and atmosphere in the team speaks volumes, and it should also be noted that Anouschka Bernhard can draw on a very broad squad. “We have a lot of strong players and can also introduce quality with our changes,” said Bernhard. For example, Vanessa Ziegler came into the side for the semi-final and scored two goals. “Other countries have more problems in this respect. We can vary ourselves more, including in the starting XI.”
Several thousand spectators are expected to attend the final at the Borisov Arena, which was only opened in 2014. Anouschka Bernhard said, “The atmosphere at previous games has been very good. We are looking forward to playing in a nice stadium again. That could also push the players even more.”
