It’s a rivalry at youth team level as well: Germany’s under-21s take on the Netherlands today at 18:00 CET. This will be the first serious test for Horst Hrubesch’s side ahead of the 2015 European Championships in the Czech Republic. And it’s the Czech Republic who the under-21s will play in their last game of this calendar year when they meet in Prague on Tuesday night (17:30 CET.)
The prestigious game is officially a friendly. But Horst Hrubesch knows that the game will be a tough test. “Now is when the preparation begins for the European Championships next year,” said Hrubesch.
The coach is now turning the team’s attention to the tournament, which will be held in the Czech Republic from 17th to 30th June 2015, after the draw was made last week, which saw Germany’s under-21s drawn in a group alongside the hosts, Denmark and Serbia. “We’ve only had one friendly since qualification began and therefore haven’t had the opportunity to try out new things,” said Hrubesch. “Both friendlies against the Netherlands and the Czech Republic will be important tests for us and games in which one or two players will get the chance to prove themselves.”
Rani Khedira misses out
The three youth team players, who have been called-up to the under-21s for the first time, will want to use these games to good effect. Niklas Süle is usually part of the under-20s squad and the centre-back has been a permanent fixture for his club TSG Hoffenheim this season. Also called-up are defenders Willi Orban (centre-back) and Jean Zimmer (right-back.)
Horst Hrubesch also called-up another next face in RB Leipzig’s Rani Khedira. But unfortunately, the defensive midfielder has a foot injury and after intensive treatment over the last three days, it’s been confirmed that he will definitely miss the two games. “An injury like this is always very annoying, there’s no question about it,” said the coach. “It makes more sense for Rani to continue his treatment in Leipzig.”
Hrubesch: “Injuries are part of the game”
The manager will also have to be without a quartet of players. Bernd Leno, Emre Can, Robin Knoche and Felix Klaus have also had to pull out due to injury. Mainz goalkeeper Loris Karius has been called-up in place of Bernd Leno. “You can’t change the fact that players are injured. That’s part of football but we aren’t going to get worked up about it,” said Hrubesch. “We’ve worked well over the last few days. The conditions are perfect. We have a lot of talent here and all the guys want to take their chance. We’re looking forward to the game against the Netherlands.”
The record against the Netherlands is pretty even. However, in their last meeting at the 2013 European Championships, the DFB-Team lost 3-2. Their last win was a 3-1 victory back in 2011, with current first team player Sebastian Rudy among the goalscorers that day. Although the Netherlands haven’t qualified for the European Championships, Horst Hrubesch is expecting them to be a tough opposition: “The Netherlands always have good players. We decided to play against tough sides in order to make sure we are playing at our highest possible level at the EUROs.”
[mmc/fs]
It’s a rivalry at youth team level as well: Germany’s under-21s take on the Netherlands today at 18:00 CET. This will be the first serious test for Horst Hrubesch’s side ahead of the 2015 European Championships in the Czech Republic. And it’s the Czech Republic who the under-21s will play in their last game of this calendar year when they meet in Prague on Tuesday night (17:30 CET.)
The prestigious game is officially a friendly. But Horst Hrubesch knows that the game will be a tough test. “Now is when the preparation begins for the European Championships next year,” said Hrubesch.
The coach is now turning the team’s attention to the tournament, which will be held in the Czech Republic from 17th to 30th June 2015, after the draw was made last week, which saw Germany’s under-21s drawn in a group alongside the hosts, Denmark and Serbia. “We’ve only had one friendly since qualification began and therefore haven’t had the opportunity to try out new things,” said Hrubesch. “Both friendlies against the Netherlands and the Czech Republic will be important tests for us and games in which one or two players will get the chance to prove themselves.”
Rani Khedira misses out
The three youth team players, who have been called-up to the under-21s for the first time, will want to use these games to good effect. Niklas Süle is usually part of the under-20s squad and the centre-back has been a permanent fixture for his club TSG Hoffenheim this season. Also called-up are defenders Willi Orban (centre-back) and Jean Zimmer (right-back.)
Horst Hrubesch also called-up another next face in RB Leipzig’s Rani Khedira. But unfortunately, the defensive midfielder has a foot injury and after intensive treatment over the last three days, it’s been confirmed that he will definitely miss the two games. “An injury like this is always very annoying, there’s no question about it,” said the coach. “It makes more sense for Rani to continue his treatment in Leipzig.”
Hrubesch: “Injuries are part of the game”
The manager will also have to be without a quartet of players. Bernd Leno, Emre Can, Robin Knoche and Felix Klaus have also had to pull out due to injury. Mainz goalkeeper Loris Karius has been called-up in place of Bernd Leno. “You can’t change the fact that players are injured. That’s part of football but we aren’t going to get worked up about it,” said Hrubesch. “We’ve worked well over the last few days. The conditions are perfect. We have a lot of talent here and all the guys want to take their chance. We’re looking forward to the game against the Netherlands.”
The record against the Netherlands is pretty even. However, in their last meeting at the 2013 European Championships, the DFB-Team lost 3-2. Their last win was a 3-1 victory back in 2011, with current first team player Sebastian Rudy among the goalscorers that day. Although the Netherlands haven’t qualified for the European Championships, Horst Hrubesch is expecting them to be a tough opposition: “The Netherlands always have good players. We decided to play against tough sides in order to make sure we are playing at our highest possible level at the EUROs.”
