DFB.de: Your family are also supporting you in Bulgaria.
Frommann: My father came out in time for the game against the Czech Republic on Tuesday. My mother and sister are also coming to watch. They were so optimistic that they booked flights to arrive in time for the semifinal and are staying here until the final.
DFB.de: Sounds like a football crazy family!
Frommann: Absolutely. We’re engrossed in everything football-related and I can count on all of them to support me. My father played football himself for a long time and I started along with my brother in Oberachern. He would also like to travel to Bulgaria but unfortunately has to work. I’ve received quite a few messages from people back home, which is great.
DFB.de: You, Felix Passlack, Johannes Eggestein, Daniel Nesseler and the injured Niklas Dorsch, who has travelled with the squad, are on the team committee. What are your tasks in that role?
Frommann: First and foremost, we mediate between the squad and the manager. If we think, for example, that the training schedule and sessions are too much or if the side has anything on their mind, we bring the matter up. It’s working well so far here at the European Championship. The balance between training and relaxation is just right.
Three games, nine points, seven goals scored, none conceded. Germany U17’s performance in the group stage of the European Championship couldn’t have gone much better. The 4-0 victory over the Czech Republic on Tuesday evening put the manager and squad in a good mood. They will now face Spain in the quarterfinals on Friday evening (18:00 CEST).
Despite their immaculate record, there were times in the matches when the opposition carved out clear-cut chances. These moments could have completely changed the games and the standings. It’s in phases like that when you need a solid defence and when Constantin Frommann (SC Freiburg), Germany’s no.1, is really called into action.
DFB.de: Mr Frommann, yesterday evening you had the best view of what your teammates were doing. How did you see the 4-0 victory over the Czech Republic?
Constantin Frommann: We remained compact in defence, just like we had planned beforehand. We also played the ball well out from the back. This meant that we could outplay their first line of defence and create opportunities going forward.
DFB.de: You recorded three victories in the group stage. What was the mood like in the changing room?
Frommann: Good, but overexcited. We’ve achieved our first aim but we still have further targets. I’m obviously delighted that we haven’t shipped any goals so far in the competition.
DFB.de: You’ve played an important role in keeping up your side’s unblemished record. In the match against the Czech Republic, there were certain dangerous situations, like in the 18th minute when they could have broken the deadlock…
Frommann: The ball was played into the penalty area and fell to Michal Sadilek, who unleashed an effort on goal from ten metres out. The shot wasn’t particularly powerful but I only saw it at the last minute and so then saved it with my feet.
DFB.de: The Germany U17 side were generally superior in all three group matches but went through phases where the opposition were stronger and had the better of the play.
Frommann: That’s true. In each match, we had periods of about ten minutes when we let the other side take control. We need to avoid that in the upcoming games and be fully focused in our performance.
DFB.de: As a goalkeeper in the German national team, does that pose a particular challenge?
Frommann: I think that the DFB philosophy is based on our side keeping possession and not allowing the opposition to have too many goal scoring opportunities. You have to remain alert for the entire game and can’t take your mind off things.
DFB.de: Your opponents in the quarterfinal are Spain, who you lost to twice last year (1-0 and 2-0, editor’s note).
Frommann: That’s another reason that we have to win this time (laughs). We’re really looking forward to facing Spain and are going into the clash optimistic. It was completely different when we faced them in a friendly back in October 2014. Spain were already well-practiced and used to playing together because they had to take part in the first qualifying rounds. On the other hand, we were still testing out different formations and approaches. We’ve gelled as a team now, know how each other play and are at a completely different level and standard to before.
DFB.de: It could be the case that you have more defensive work to do and face a greater onslaught from Spain in the quarters.
Frommann: That could happen. Spain will find us difficult to play against though if we are as compact and resolute like in the first few games here.
DFB.de: DFB goalkeeping coach Christian Fiedler has identified you as a calming influence in the German team and has praised your footballing qualities. What do you make of his analysis?
Frommann: First of all, I’m pleased to receive praise from the coach. Christian Fiedler has a good understanding of what I’m like because we have a close and trusting working relationship.
DFB.de: What’s your relationship with substitute goalkeeper Markus Schubert like?
Frommann: Very good. Markus is also a quiet and calm guy. I think it’s great how professional he is with the whole situation. It’s a bit more difficult for goalkeepers because changes in the position aren’t made as often. We push each other to our limits and help each other improve in training – that’s exactly how it should be.
DFB.de: So it’s more like the relationship between Neuer and Weidenfeller as opposed to the one between Kahn and Lehmann?
Frommann: True (laughs). Although Oliver Kahn is my role model. I’ve admired him since I was little. Obviously the way goalkeepers play has altered since then but when I was a child, he influenced me and the way I play.
DFB.de: Kahn, just like you, comes from Baden. For the past two years, you’ve been at SC Freiburg. Is being close to home important to you?
Frommann: Definitely. My family support me and try to make it to every home game in Freiburg. In addition, everything is very well organised and familiar in Freiburg. Everything, including splitting my time between school and the club, is coordinated. I feel very comfortable and am planning to complete my Abitur (German equivalent to English A Levels) there.
DFB.de: Your family are also supporting you in Bulgaria.
Frommann: My father came out in time for the game against the Czech Republic on Tuesday. My mother and sister are also coming to watch. They were so optimistic that they booked flights to arrive in time for the semifinal and are staying here until the final.
DFB.de: Sounds like a football crazy family!
Frommann: Absolutely. We’re engrossed in everything football-related and I can count on all of them to support me. My father played football himself for a long time and I started along with my brother in Oberachern. He would also like to travel to Bulgaria but unfortunately has to work. I’ve received quite a few messages from people back home, which is great.
DFB.de: You, Felix Passlack, Johannes Eggestein, Daniel Nesseler and the injured Niklas Dorsch, who has travelled with the squad, are on the team committee. What are your tasks in that role?
Frommann: First and foremost, we mediate between the squad and the manager. If we think, for example, that the training schedule and sessions are too much or if the side has anything on their mind, we bring the matter up. It’s working well so far here at the European Championship. The balance between training and relaxation is just right.
