The Germany Women’s U17s have done it. A 4-0 win in the final group game against the Czech Republic saw DFB manager Anouschka Bernhard’s side book their place in the semi-final of the European Championship in Belarus, leaving them with every chance of qualifying for the World Cup in Jordan as one of Europe’s top three teams. Vanessa Ziegler and Marie Müller scored a brace each for Germany.
"It was a fully-deserved victory. We gave them next to nothing at the back. The game went exactly to plan: we wanted to put pressure on the Czech Republic down the wings and create chances. That worked immediately and resulted in our first goal early on. That was the door opener which we failed to find against Italy," summarised Bernhard with a look ahead to the semi-final: "We are happy to have reached the first knock-out round. From tomorrow we will prepare for the next task."
Bernhard made three changes to the side that started in Saturday’s goalless draw with Italy. Ziegler, Müller and Sarai Linder replaced Anna Hausdorff, Sydney Lohmann and Verena Wieder in the starting XI - a move which came to pay off within the first half.
For Ziegler put Germany ahead after only seven minutes. The attacking midfielder went on to make it 2-0 in the 22nd minute as well, setting the tone for progression into the next round early on. Marie Müller put the icing on a sweet-tasting first-half cake for Germany with a goal of her own in the 36th minute.
Müller completes the second brace of the day
The DFB youngsters had the game under control in the second half as well and were even able to extend their lead further. Once again, Müller took her chance and bagged the second brace of the day in the 51st minute.
In the other Group B game, Spain overcame Italy - winning 3-1 and therewith the group. The DFB Women U17s now face Group A winners England on Friday in the European Championship semi-final. With a win, the German youth team will kill two birds with one stone: not only will they have reached the final of the EUROs, but they will also have secured qualification for October’s World Cup in Jordan. The latter would still be possible with a defeat on Friday due to the third-place playoff.
The Germany Women’s U17s have done it. A 4-0 win in the final group game against the Czech Republic saw DFB manager Anouschka Bernhard’s side book their place in the semi-final of the European Championship in Belarus, leaving them with every chance of qualifying for the World Cup in Jordan as one of Europe’s top three teams. Vanessa Ziegler and Marie Müller scored a brace each for Germany.
"It was a fully-deserved victory. We gave them next to nothing at the back. The game went exactly to plan: we wanted to put pressure on the Czech Republic down the wings and create chances. That worked immediately and resulted in our first goal early on. That was the door opener which we failed to find against Italy," summarised Bernhard with a look ahead to the semi-final: "We are happy to have reached the first knock-out round. From tomorrow we will prepare for the next task."
Bernhard made three changes to the side that started in Saturday’s goalless draw with Italy. Ziegler, Müller and Sarai Linder replaced Anna Hausdorff, Sydney Lohmann and Verena Wieder in the starting XI - a move which came to pay off within the first half.
For Ziegler put Germany ahead after only seven minutes. The attacking midfielder went on to make it 2-0 in the 22nd minute as well, setting the tone for progression into the next round early on. Marie Müller put the icing on a sweet-tasting first-half cake for Germany with a goal of her own in the 36th minute.
Müller completes the second brace of the day
The DFB youngsters had the game under control in the second half as well and were even able to extend their lead further. Once again, Müller took her chance and bagged the second brace of the day in the 51st minute.
In the other Group B game, Spain overcame Italy - winning 3-1 and therewith the group. The DFB Women U17s now face Group A winners England on Friday in the European Championship semi-final. With a win, the German youth team will kill two birds with one stone: not only will they have reached the final of the EUROs, but they will also have secured qualification for October’s World Cup in Jordan. The latter would still be possible with a defeat on Friday due to the third-place playoff.
