Horst Hrubesch had had a long and distinguished career and the head coach of the Germany U21s could be about to enter one of the busiest times of his life as friendlies, the European Championship and the Olympic Games are all on the horizon. His side face Italy this evening (20:00 CET) in a friendly in front of 11,000 spectators in Paderborn; the Olympics, should Germany qualify, are 17 months away.
"These matches are the last two in which I can try things ahead of the finals – we want to be heading in the right direction ahead of the Euros,” said Hrubesch before the double header against Italy and England (Monday, 20:45 CEST, Middlesbrough). Germany are “not going there to make up the numbers,” he added: “We want to win the title.”
Class of 2009 are the inspiration
The 63-year-old knows what it takes to the lift the trophy – in 2009 he guided possible the strongest U21 side in Germany’s history to success: Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng and Mesut Özil were in the squad. The upcoming games are a big test for his side. Italy have won the tournament the most times and England are also one of the favourites. The earliest Germany could meet England in the Czech Republic this summer is the semi final stage. Qualification for the last four would also see them book their spot at the 2016 Olympics.
“We don’t need to discuss the significance of the tournament,” said Hrubesch to the Express. “Our squad says it all.” 40 players are challenging for a berth in the team for the tournament including some famous names. World Cup winner Matthias Ginter has been included in the squad for the two friendlies, as have Marc-André ter Stegen, Max Meyer, Kevin Volland and Christian Günter, all of whom have played for the senior team. Mario Götze, Julian Draxler and Shkodran Mustafi are all eligible to feature in this summer’s tournament but are likely to remain with the senior team.
Period of silence and black armbands
Germany head coach Joachim Löw has given his full support to Hrubesch’s side. He has already said that he won’t be including Volland, Meyer, Leon Goretzka and Emre Can in his senior squad for the summer’s friendlies. “It’s better that they play for the U21s in a tournament than sit on our bench,” said Löw. “In 2009 we saw that players such as Neuer, Khedira and Özil were able to use their tournament experience in the 2010 World Cup.”
The team have been based in Bad Lippsringe, one of Paderborn’s suburbs, since Monday and are looking forward to the game. “It’s the last chance to test things,” said Hrubesch, who is looking to give as many of his players as possible game time. The head coach has plenty of people to choose from: “Everyone is fit and available.”
Ahead of kick off there will be a period of silence, just like there was ahead of the senior team’s game against Australia in Kaiserslautern on Wednesday. Both teams will wear black armbands. “Our thoughts are with the victims of this terrible tragedy.”
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Horst Hrubesch had had a long and distinguished career and the head coach of the Germany U21s could be about to enter one of the busiest times of his life as friendlies, the European Championship and the Olympic Games are all on the horizon. His side face Italy this evening (20:00 CET) in a friendly in front of 11,000 spectators in Paderborn; the Olympics, should Germany qualify, are 17 months away.
"These matches are the last two in which I can try things ahead of the finals – we want to be heading in the right direction ahead of the Euros,” said Hrubesch before the double header against Italy and England (Monday, 20:45 CEST, Middlesbrough). Germany are “not going there to make up the numbers,” he added: “We want to win the title.”
Class of 2009 are the inspiration
The 63-year-old knows what it takes to the lift the trophy – in 2009 he guided possible the strongest U21 side in Germany’s history to success: Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng and Mesut Özil were in the squad. The upcoming games are a big test for his side. Italy have won the tournament the most times and England are also one of the favourites. The earliest Germany could meet England in the Czech Republic this summer is the semi final stage. Qualification for the last four would also see them book their spot at the 2016 Olympics.
“We don’t need to discuss the significance of the tournament,” said Hrubesch to the Express. “Our squad says it all.” 40 players are challenging for a berth in the team for the tournament including some famous names. World Cup winner Matthias Ginter has been included in the squad for the two friendlies, as have Marc-André ter Stegen, Max Meyer, Kevin Volland and Christian Günter, all of whom have played for the senior team. Mario Götze, Julian Draxler and Shkodran Mustafi are all eligible to feature in this summer’s tournament but are likely to remain with the senior team.
Period of silence and black armbands
Germany head coach Joachim Löw has given his full support to Hrubesch’s side. He has already said that he won’t be including Volland, Meyer, Leon Goretzka and Emre Can in his senior squad for the summer’s friendlies. “It’s better that they play for the U21s in a tournament than sit on our bench,” said Löw. “In 2009 we saw that players such as Neuer, Khedira and Özil were able to use their tournament experience in the 2010 World Cup.”
The team have been based in Bad Lippsringe, one of Paderborn’s suburbs, since Monday and are looking forward to the game. “It’s the last chance to test things,” said Hrubesch, who is looking to give as many of his players as possible game time. The head coach has plenty of people to choose from: “Everyone is fit and available.”
Ahead of kick off there will be a period of silence, just like there was ahead of the senior team’s game against Australia in Kaiserslautern on Wednesday. Both teams will wear black armbands. “Our thoughts are with the victims of this terrible tragedy.”
