Passing, shooting, and movement – these are all things that they practiced in their final training session. The U17s had a final meeting before retiring to their rooms on Tuesday evening, leaving them fully prepared for their European Championship semi-final in Azerbaijan. The U17s are brimming with confidence and will take on Spain today (18:00 CEST, 20:00 local time) to see who will make it through to the final.
“The team has improved in every match of the tournament so far,” said DFB-coach Meikel Schönweitz. “In the quarterfinal we put in a very passionate and physical performance. We have been using the last few days both to recover and also to prepare for the game against Spain. The semi-final will be a massive challenge but we are fully focused and looking forward to it.” The U17s coach will have his full squad available to him other than the suspended Florian Baak.
Flick expects strong opposition
The fact that the sides are equally matched is evidenced by the statistics, as both teams finished top of their group with seven points from three matches. They also came through the quarterfinals with 1-0 wins, with Germany overcoming Belgium and Spain triumphing over England. Furthermore, the youth teams have both only conceded three goals in the tournament so far. Not only Hansi Flick is expecting “a very close encounter.”
The DFB sporting director commented: “The Spanish are brilliant at developing technically strong players.” Flick is also counting on defensively secure opponents but is convinced by the talent in the Germany U17’s squad: “The team is highly concentrated and plays to its strengths. They implement what the coaches demand of them well and are ready to learn.” Flick will be watching the match in the Dalga Arena in Baku where 2,500 spectators are expected.
Drewitz: “An absolute footballing classic“
“Spain against Germany is always a footballing classic, even at youth level,” said Dr. Hans-Dieter Drewitz. The DFB vice-president and head of the U17s delegation at the European Championship continued, “I believe our team can win the match with their footballing ability and quality. It will be important not to go behind against a very mature Spanish side and to be clinical when we get chances.”
In order to reach the finals and their overall aim, the U17s need only one more win. Germany won 4-2 in a penalty shootout the last time the teams faced off in the quarterfinal of the European Championship in 2015. That performance should inspire the Germany U17 players tonight.
Passing, shooting, and movement – these are all things that they practiced in their final training session. The U17s had a final meeting before retiring to their rooms on Tuesday evening, leaving them fully prepared for their European Championship semi-final in Azerbaijan. The U17s are brimming with confidence and will take on Spain today (18:00 CEST, 20:00 local time) to see who will make it through to the final.
“The team has improved in every match of the tournament so far,” said DFB-coach Meikel Schönweitz. “In the quarterfinal we put in a very passionate and physical performance. We have been using the last few days both to recover and also to prepare for the game against Spain. The semi-final will be a massive challenge but we are fully focused and looking forward to it.” The U17s coach will have his full squad available to him other than the suspended Florian Baak.
Flick expects strong opposition
The fact that the sides are equally matched is evidenced by the statistics, as both teams finished top of their group with seven points from three matches. They also came through the quarterfinals with 1-0 wins, with Germany overcoming Belgium and Spain triumphing over England. Furthermore, the youth teams have both only conceded three goals in the tournament so far. Not only Hansi Flick is expecting “a very close encounter.”
The DFB sporting director commented: “The Spanish are brilliant at developing technically strong players.” Flick is also counting on defensively secure opponents but is convinced by the talent in the Germany U17’s squad: “The team is highly concentrated and plays to its strengths. They implement what the coaches demand of them well and are ready to learn.” Flick will be watching the match in the Dalga Arena in Baku where 2,500 spectators are expected.
Drewitz: “An absolute footballing classic“
“Spain against Germany is always a footballing classic, even at youth level,” said Dr. Hans-Dieter Drewitz. The DFB vice-president and head of the U17s delegation at the European Championship continued, “I believe our team can win the match with their footballing ability and quality. It will be important not to go behind against a very mature Spanish side and to be clinical when we get chances.”
In order to reach the finals and their overall aim, the U17s need only one more win. Germany won 4-2 in a penalty shootout the last time the teams faced off in the quarterfinal of the European Championship in 2015. That performance should inspire the Germany U17 players tonight.
