Shkodran Mustafi is going through his second tournament preparation with the DFB Team. His first had a very special story behind it: He was part of Germany's preliminary squad for the World Cup in Brazil but not selected by manager Joachim Löw for the tournament. Eventually, Löw did post-nominate the defensive-specialist and four weeks later he held the World Cup in his hands. Editor Steffen Lüdeke sat down with Mustafi to talk about his career milestones, friendships with other football players and their charity match against Slovakia this evening.
DFB.de: Mr. Mustafi, the European Championship is just around the corner and you know how to win this tournament. How well do you remember your victory with the U17 side in 2009?
Shkodran Mustafi: Those memories are still relatively fresh. It was my first big tournament. Our coach at the time, Marco Pezzaiuoli, gave a lot of attention to detail. Not just on the pitch. We prepared intensively and pushed ourselves to our limits. I can still remember some of the training sessions we had or the team discussions before our games. The memories from that EURO are deeply anchored.
DFB.de: How important was this title for your career?
Mustafi: If you win a big tournament like that and get to feel how fantastic it is, you simply get the urge for more. This title was the biggest thing we were able to win at the time. We were all on the verge of turning professional and this victory gave us strength to carry on. Every single one of us invested a lot too, but that was extremely motivating and rewarded with success.
DFB.de: The six World Champions that also won the U21 European Championships in 2009 are often mentioned. Does a similar connection exist between the players from the U17 side that also won that year - I'm referring to Mario Götze, Marc ter Stegen and Bernd Leno?
Mustafi: You simply know each other really well. I think the four of us have played together since the U16 side and we went through a lot. In all my junior teams we were able to grow together as a unit. Therefore, we've always had a good relationship with one another and experiencing success together strengthens that even further. In our every-day-lives we might not see one another at times, but that makes these reunions at the national team even better. I have a good relationship with all our players, not just Mario, Marc and Bernd.
DFB.de: You are really good friends with Mario Götze.
Mustafi: Yes.
DFB.de: What defines this friendship?
Mustafi: Trust, openness, respect. We are able to laugh together and we always have something to chat about. We just click.
DFB.de: How did this friendship come about?
Mustafi: We always got along right from the start when we first met at U16 level. We kept staying in touch and eventually went on vacation together - that strengthened our friendship even further.
DFB.de: You've been in Ascona for four days now. What is your first verdict on this training camp? How do you like it in Ticino?
Mustafi: When the DFB selects our training accommodations, they always make the right choice. Those responsible simply know what's important. The conditions are great and we can focus on what matters: Football. We can train well here and work intensively but at the same time we can also switch off and regenerate.
DFB.de: The team flew to Augsburg on Saturday in order to face Slovakia on Sunday. How important will this test be?
Mustafi: The EURO's are about to start and this game is very, very important. Some of the players came to the national team having experienced different levels of strain. For many there was a lot at stake towards the end of the season, others are coming back from injury, while others are yet to even join the squad. This game is a good indicator of how far we already are. So we are approaching this game professionally and fully focussed.
DFB.de: It will be a charity match by the DFB. Do you know why that's the case?
Mustafi: Yes of course. The revenue will be donated to the DFB's charity foundations. I'm well aware of that and I think it's great.
DFB.de: DFB's Egidius Braun charity foundation has been active for nearly 30 years with their aid to Mexico, promoting projects for socially deprived children and youths.
Mustafi: Football can make a huge impact. It's great that they've assumed responsibility for this. For us players it's great that we are given the opportunity to help, simply by playing football. I'm impressed that the DFB has been doing this for so long. It shows that it's not just about showmanship but actually about sustainability.
[mmc/fr]
Shkodran Mustafi is going through his second tournament preparation with the DFB Team. His first had a very special story behind it: He was part of Germany's preliminary squad for the World Cup in Brazil but not selected by manager Joachim Löw for the tournament. Eventually, Löw did post-nominate the defensive-specialist and four weeks later he held the World Cup in his hands. Editor Steffen Lüdeke sat down with Mustafi to talk about his career milestones, friendships with other football players and their charity match against Slovakia this evening.
DFB.de: Mr. Mustafi, the European Championship is just around the corner and you know how to win this tournament. How well do you remember your victory with the U17 side in 2009?
Shkodran Mustafi: Those memories are still relatively fresh. It was my first big tournament. Our coach at the time, Marco Pezzaiuoli, gave a lot of attention to detail. Not just on the pitch. We prepared intensively and pushed ourselves to our limits. I can still remember some of the training sessions we had or the team discussions before our games. The memories from that EURO are deeply anchored.
DFB.de: How important was this title for your career?
Mustafi: If you win a big tournament like that and get to feel how fantastic it is, you simply get the urge for more. This title was the biggest thing we were able to win at the time. We were all on the verge of turning professional and this victory gave us strength to carry on. Every single one of us invested a lot too, but that was extremely motivating and rewarded with success.
DFB.de: The six World Champions that also won the U21 European Championships in 2009 are often mentioned. Does a similar connection exist between the players from the U17 side that also won that year - I'm referring to Mario Götze, Marc ter Stegen and Bernd Leno?
Mustafi: You simply know each other really well. I think the four of us have played together since the U16 side and we went through a lot. In all my junior teams we were able to grow together as a unit. Therefore, we've always had a good relationship with one another and experiencing success together strengthens that even further. In our every-day-lives we might not see one another at times, but that makes these reunions at the national team even better. I have a good relationship with all our players, not just Mario, Marc and Bernd.
DFB.de: You are really good friends with Mario Götze.
Mustafi: Yes.
DFB.de: What defines this friendship?
Mustafi: Trust, openness, respect. We are able to laugh together and we always have something to chat about. We just click.
DFB.de: How did this friendship come about?
Mustafi: We always got along right from the start when we first met at U16 level. We kept staying in touch and eventually went on vacation together - that strengthened our friendship even further.
DFB.de: You've been in Ascona for four days now. What is your first verdict on this training camp? How do you like it in Ticino?
Mustafi: When the DFB selects our training accommodations, they always make the right choice. Those responsible simply know what's important. The conditions are great and we can focus on what matters: Football. We can train well here and work intensively but at the same time we can also switch off and regenerate.
DFB.de: The team flew to Augsburg on Saturday in order to face Slovakia on Sunday. How important will this test be?
Mustafi: The EURO's are about to start and this game is very, very important. Some of the players came to the national team having experienced different levels of strain. For many there was a lot at stake towards the end of the season, others are coming back from injury, while others are yet to even join the squad. This game is a good indicator of how far we already are. So we are approaching this game professionally and fully focussed.
DFB.de: It will be a charity match by the DFB. Do you know why that's the case?
Mustafi: Yes of course. The revenue will be donated to the DFB's charity foundations. I'm well aware of that and I think it's great.
DFB.de: DFB's Egidius Braun charity foundation has been active for nearly 30 years with their aid to Mexico, promoting projects for socially deprived children and youths.
Mustafi: Football can make a huge impact. It's great that they've assumed responsibility for this. For us players it's great that we are given the opportunity to help, simply by playing football. I'm impressed that the DFB has been doing this for so long. It shows that it's not just about showmanship but actually about sustainability.
