The long days of summer are winding down, no more rest days for Germany’s Under 21 football talents. On September 7, Germany’s U 21 will play their first qualifying game for the European Championships 2009. Lurgan, Northern Ireland, will be the site. Israel, Moldawia and Luxembourg are the other opponents in Germany’s group.
In a final warm-up for the qualification games, Germany hosted the Republic of Ireland in Fürth on Tuesday (2-2). The DFB U 21 coach Dieter Eilts, 42, a former player of the national team, spoke with DFB.de-editor Jens Grittner before about the upcoming challenges. Eilts was a member of the German team that had triumphed at the 1996 UEFA European Championships.
Question: Mr. Eilts, tell us about the insights you made at the U 21 European Championships in the Netherlands and the U 20 World Cup in Canada?
Dieter Eilts: These games were played on a high level, both technically and tactically. We also saw great crowds in Canada, which is always great to see in juniors’ football. As for the impact on our programme, I think we’ll have to wait a while. Right now, I can tell you one thing, though. I’m really not a fan of artificial turf, which they played on during some games in Canada.
Question: Who are the leading juniors’ nations?´
Dieter Eilts: Argentina certainly play in a class of their own. They are miles ahead of everybody else, at least right now. They can field unbelievable indvidual players such as Messi in 2005, or Aguero and Banega right now. German coach Joachim Löw does not tire to speak about the individual. Every single player needs to improve, there’s the largest possible margin of improvement. Anyhow, Chile, Mexico and the USA are also up there in regards to talented juniors. In Europe, the Czech Republic nalways fields strong teams. Obviously, Austria was quite a surprise with their finish in Canada.
Question: Last year, Germany’s U 21 failed to reach the European Championships when they lost to England. How do you rate your chances this time?
Dieter Eilts: We want to qualify for Sweden 2009, no if’s or but’s about it. But the group games will not be a walk in the park. Israel beat France in the last play-offs. And please remember that only eight teams qualify for a European juniors championship, with the host nation seated. Even if you finish first in your qualifying group, your chances are still only at 50-50. The teams playing at the European Championships are quite an elite group.
Question: The staff of all teams has expanded, while Matthias Sammer stresses the importance of the head coach. What’s you view on more trainers, psychological support and a beafed-up medical team?
Dieter Eilts: Once again, I can only second Joachim Löw’s opinion. You need specialists to work professionally. Coaching a national team is dramatically different from coaching a club team. You staff provides you with alternatives, different roads towards success. But the head coach has to decide the final course. He’s the one shouldering all responsibility.
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The long days of summer are winding down, no more rest days for Germany’s Under 21 football talents. On September 7, Germany’s U 21 will play their first qualifying game for the European Championships 2009. Lurgan, Northern Ireland, will be the site. Israel, Moldawia and Luxembourg are the other opponents in Germany’s group.
In a final warm-up for the qualification games, Germany hosted the Republic of Ireland in Fürth on Tuesday (2-2). The DFB U 21 coach Dieter Eilts, 42, a former player of the national team, spoke with DFB.de-editor Jens Grittner before about the upcoming challenges. Eilts was a member of the German team that had triumphed at the 1996 UEFA European Championships.
Question: Mr. Eilts, tell us about the insights you made at the U 21 European Championships in the Netherlands and the U 20 World Cup in Canada?
Dieter Eilts: These games were played on a high level, both technically and tactically. We also saw great crowds in Canada, which is always great to see in juniors’ football. As for the impact on our programme, I think we’ll have to wait a while. Right now, I can tell you one thing, though. I’m really not a fan of artificial turf, which they played on during some games in Canada.
Question: Who are the leading juniors’ nations?´
Dieter Eilts: Argentina certainly play in a class of their own. They are miles ahead of everybody else, at least right now. They can field unbelievable indvidual players such as Messi in 2005, or Aguero and Banega right now. German coach Joachim Löw does not tire to speak about the individual. Every single player needs to improve, there’s the largest possible margin of improvement. Anyhow, Chile, Mexico and the USA are also up there in regards to talented juniors. In Europe, the Czech Republic nalways fields strong teams. Obviously, Austria was quite a surprise with their finish in Canada.
Question: Last year, Germany’s U 21 failed to reach the European Championships when they lost to England. How do you rate your chances this time?
Dieter Eilts: We want to qualify for Sweden 2009, no if’s or but’s about it. But the group games will not be a walk in the park. Israel beat France in the last play-offs. And please remember that only eight teams qualify for a European juniors championship, with the host nation seated. Even if you finish first in your qualifying group, your chances are still only at 50-50. The teams playing at the European Championships are quite an elite group.
Question: The staff of all teams has expanded, while Matthias Sammer stresses the importance of the head coach. What’s you view on more trainers, psychological support and a beafed-up medical team?
Dieter Eilts: Once again, I can only second Joachim Löw’s opinion. You need specialists to work professionally. Coaching a national team is dramatically different from coaching a club team. You staff provides you with alternatives, different roads towards success. But the head coach has to decide the final course. He’s the one shouldering all responsibility.
