Germany's U17s secured their ticket to the semi-finals of the European Championships following their 4-2 victory after a penalties against Spain on Friday in Bulgaria. The win also ensures Germany a place at the U17 World Championships in Chile later this year (17th October – 8th November). The players dedicated their victory to Niklas Dorsch, who was forced to return home with an injury following Germany's 2-0 triumph over Belgium.
"We won the game for Niklas today," explained captain Felix Passlack, who converted Germany's third penalty against Spain. "We promised him that we would secure our place at the World Cup and that we would all head to Chile in October.” Six European nations can qualify for the World Cup. As well as the four semi-finalists, the losers of the quarter-finals will play each other in a play-off to determine the remaining two teams.
Constantin Frommann saved two penalties to ensure Germany's victory and the players cut their celebrations short as they offered their support to the disappointed Spaniards. "It's a matter of honour. Luck is always a factor in penalty shootouts. It easily could’ve been us standing there," said Passlack after the game, wearing a Niklas Dorsch jersey.
England or Russia await in the semi-final
"We’ve achieved our minimum goal," explained U17 coach Christian Wück. "Now we look forward to finding out who we will play against on Tuesday." The question will be answered on Saturday afternoon, when England take on Russia (15:00 CEST). The final quarter-final (18:00 CEST) will be played between Italy and France, after Belgium had already prevailed against Croatia before Germany beat Spain. When and where Germany will play their next game will be decided by UEFA once all the quarter-finals have been played.
"There is no easy opposition left in this competition. But if you can beat Spain, then you can beat anybody," said a confident Wück. And he has every right to be confident, as Germany are still unbeaten and are yet to concede a goal from open play.
Germany's U17s secured their ticket to the semi-finals of the European Championships following their 4-2 victory after a penalties against Spain on Friday in Bulgaria. The win also ensures Germany a place at the U17 World Championships in Chile later this year (17th October – 8th November). The players dedicated their victory to Niklas Dorsch, who was forced to return home with an injury following Germany's 2-0 triumph over Belgium.
"We won the game for Niklas today," explained captain Felix Passlack, who converted Germany's third penalty against Spain. "We promised him that we would secure our place at the World Cup and that we would all head to Chile in October.” Six European nations can qualify for the World Cup. As well as the four semi-finalists, the losers of the quarter-finals will play each other in a play-off to determine the remaining two teams.
Constantin Frommann saved two penalties to ensure Germany's victory and the players cut their celebrations short as they offered their support to the disappointed Spaniards. "It's a matter of honour. Luck is always a factor in penalty shootouts. It easily could’ve been us standing there," said Passlack after the game, wearing a Niklas Dorsch jersey.
England or Russia await in the semi-final
"We’ve achieved our minimum goal," explained U17 coach Christian Wück. "Now we look forward to finding out who we will play against on Tuesday." The question will be answered on Saturday afternoon, when England take on Russia (15:00 CEST). The final quarter-final (18:00 CEST) will be played between Italy and France, after Belgium had already prevailed against Croatia before Germany beat Spain. When and where Germany will play their next game will be decided by UEFA once all the quarter-finals have been played.
"There is no easy opposition left in this competition. But if you can beat Spain, then you can beat anybody," said a confident Wück. And he has every right to be confident, as Germany are still unbeaten and are yet to concede a goal from open play.
