The next business trip can be booked: Thanks to Play-Off victory over Ukraine, the Germany U21 side have qualified for the 2015 European Championship in the Czech Republic. Qualification for the tournament was the aim for Horst Hrubesch’s side – there is now a new target. If Germany reach the semi-final stage of the tournament they will also qualify for the football tournament at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janerio.
At full-time the manager headed straight for his Captain. At the end of the second-leg, Horst Hrubesch and Kevin Volland embarked; the latter having led the team for both legs. “Thank you for your support on the journey to the Euros” – the attacker presented a banner with this on to the supporters.
Mustafi and Ginter are now World Champions
Qualification for the tournament was no walk in the park for Germany. In August 2013 Hrubesch’s new look U21 side took to the field for the first time in a friendly against France in Freiburg. The Coach new that his team had plenty of potential: Matthias Ginter, Shkodran Mustafi and Kevin Volland were all selected for the match.
Both defenders were selected for Joachim Löw’s successful World Cup squad and Volland was called up to the preliminary squad but didn’t make the cut. This setback hasn’t dampened his spirits. The Hoffenheim player is still a crucial player for the U21 team: He scores goals, motivates his team mates and is an important part of the set-up. Germany sealed top spot in the group early this year with three games to spare; they still had to face Montenegro, Romania and Ireland.
Anyone who saw the team in the build up to the Play-Offs will know that Hrubesch had created something special. The self-confidence that had been built throughout the group-stage could be seen in the games against Ukraine. After the 2-0 success in Essen, Volland said: “Obviously we’re delighted to have achieved our goals.” Philipp Hofmann, Volland and Jonas Hofmann grabbed the goals in the 3-0 first-leg triumph in Ukraine; the Captain and Leonardo Bittencourt grabbed the goals in the return leg which sealed qualification for Germany.
Volland: "We want to go all the way”
Focus is now on the European Championship. Hrubesch has had plenty of success in this tournament, having won the U19 edition in 2008 and the U21 incarnation the following year. “The Class of 2009” have since gone on to achieve great things, with six of the squad picking up a World Cup winner’s medal in Brazil in 2014.
The next business trip can be booked: Thanks to Play-Off victory over Ukraine, the Germany U21 side have qualified for the 2015 European Championship in the Czech Republic. Qualification for the tournament was the aim for Horst Hrubesch’s side – there is now a new target. If Germany reach the semi-final stage of the tournament they will also qualify for the football tournament at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janerio.
At full-time the manager headed straight for his Captain. At the end of the second-leg, Horst Hrubesch and Kevin Volland embarked; the latter having led the team for both legs. “Thank you for your support on the journey to the Euros” – the attacker presented a banner with this on to the supporters.
Mustafi and Ginter are now World Champions
Qualification for the tournament was no walk in the park for Germany. In August 2013 Hrubesch’s new look U21 side took to the field for the first time in a friendly against France in Freiburg. The Coach new that his team had plenty of potential: Matthias Ginter, Shkodran Mustafi and Kevin Volland were all selected for the match.
Both defenders were selected for Joachim Löw’s successful World Cup squad and Volland was called up to the preliminary squad but didn’t make the cut. This setback hasn’t dampened his spirits. The Hoffenheim player is still a crucial player for the U21 team: He scores goals, motivates his team mates and is an important part of the set-up. Germany sealed top spot in the group early this year with three games to spare; they still had to face Montenegro, Romania and Ireland.
Anyone who saw the team in the build up to the Play-Offs will know that Hrubesch had created something special. The self-confidence that had been built throughout the group-stage could be seen in the games against Ukraine. After the 2-0 success in Essen, Volland said: “Obviously we’re delighted to have achieved our goals.” Philipp Hofmann, Volland and Jonas Hofmann grabbed the goals in the 3-0 first-leg triumph in Ukraine; the Captain and Leonardo Bittencourt grabbed the goals in the return leg which sealed qualification for Germany.
Volland: "We want to go all the way”
Focus is now on the European Championship. Hrubesch has had plenty of success in this tournament, having won the U19 edition in 2008 and the U21 incarnation the following year. “The Class of 2009” have since gone on to achieve great things, with six of the squad picking up a World Cup winner’s medal in Brazil in 2014.
And what of the “Class of 2015,” what do Volland and Co. hope to achieve in the Czech Republic? “We’re all good players. We want to go all the way” said Captain Kevin Volland, with his vice-captain (Stuttgart’s Moritz Leitner) promising “excitement.” Hrubesch added: “We’re not going there just to compete. The team has the ability to win the title.”
Germany U21 are unbeaten in 11 competitive matches, including four success wins which have garnered 15 goals and four clean sheets. The 2016 Olympics? “Obviously we want to be there,” said Volland. Some big teams were knocked out in the Play-Offs – defending champions Spain, the Netherlands and France. Despite this, Hrubesch is wary: “Regardless of the opposition, it will be a tough game.” The draw for the group-stage of the tournament takes place in Prague on 6th November.
Friendlies against Holland, Czech Republic, Italy and England
There are currently four friendlies scheduled before the tournament. Germany host the Netherlands and Italy; with away trips to the Czech Republic and England on the cards. All four matches will test every element of Germany’s team, whilst also allowing Hrubesch to work out who will be in his squad for the tournament.
The coach, who was labelled “Euro-Horst” by kicker after his successes in 2008 and 2009, is aware that there is plenty of talent out there this year. “There are a lot of quality players at my disposal this year. Previously there were 20 or 22 to choose from, this year I have 35 to 40. The team will be strong. We won’t know how strong until I’ve selected it, maybe there will be a couple of players who develop quickly and earn a place in the team.”
