Bernhard: "EURO title magnificent"

There was an eruption of joy as Melissa Kössler converted the winning penalty for Germany against Spain in the final of the U17 European Championship in Pilsen, Czech Republic on Sunday. Germany were victorious, as they were in 2016, this time winning 3-1 on penalties after a goalless draw. U17 women‘s head coach Anouschka Bernhard speaks about the battle in Pilsen and the comeback of the year.

DFB.de: Congratulations, Mrs Bernhard! How does it feel to be holding the trophy?

Anouschka Bernhard: It’s feel magnificent. I don’t know what to say. We didn’t start the game well and Spain made it very difficult for us, but neither side could find a goal in normal time or in extra time. I’m overjoyed that we were able to win in the end.

DFB.de: How difficult a match was it?

Bernhard: It was really difficult. The conditions were difficult and the pitch was hard to play on because of all the rain. We found it difficult offensively against Spain. It was a real war of attrition in the second-half as the pitch got worse and worse. But we coped with it very well.

DFB.de: Did you have an advantage because the team had already experienced a penalty shootout in the semi-final?

Bernhard: I think the advantage came more from how the game had gone. I think Spain felt that they had been the better team in the match so it was harder for them to go to penalties. That was an advantage for us as we went into the shootout feeling positive.

DFB.de: It was also a repeat of last year’s final. The outcome was the same, but what was different?

Bernhard: The game was on a different level in 2016. Today was a fight which we wanted to win. But last year it went to penalties after a 0-0 draw and we were victorious so in that respect, the two games were similar.

DFB.de: This is Germany’s sixth U17 European Championship title. Where does this one rank?

Bernhard: I couldn’t pick out one of the four titles that I’ve won as coach of the U17s. Every triumph is special, every team is special and every tournament creates its own story.

DFB.de: This one was particularly dramatic.

Bernhard: Yes, but not just the tournament. It’s been an emotional and grueling few weeks and months for us all. We began the season with some very good games and results. Then when we began qualification we lost players to injury. Then we lost a game in qualifying so it wasn’t certain that we were going to make the finals. After the defeat against England we got through as the best second placed side and were very happy to play in the tournament.

DFB.de: It was also exciting at the tournament.

Bernhard: The whole thing was a series of ups and downs for us. We had a great start with the 4-1 win over Spain. Then there was the nervy semi-final penalty shootout win over Norway. That game was pretty much over and we pulled off one of the comebacks of the year. We created history being the first team to win with the new ‘ABBA’ order. So this triumph has been very intense.

DFB.de: What’s going to happen with this team now?

Bernhard: This tournament was the last tournament for the team. Even though there were three players who could theoretically play in the tournament again next year. Now we’ll get a new group of players and they’ll play in a four nations tournament in Latvia in August. So we’ll be back in action quite soon.