There was an odd atmosphere around the German U21 team after the final whistle at Prague’s Eden Arena. The 1-1 draw against the hosts in the final group game of the European U21 Championship in the Czech Republic was enough for qualification for the semi-finals and the Olympic Games. Horst Hrubesch’s team finished second in their group, after Denmark beat Serbia 2-0, and must now travel to Olmütz for their semi-final on Saturday (18:00 CEST).
Every player was thinking more about the missed opportunity to top the group and their upcoming journey to Olmütz, instead of celebrating such an historic event, because at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, a German team will be present for the first time since 1988. Coach Horst Hrubesch was very pleased with qualification for the Olympics after the final whistle: “We can all be very happy with ourselves. That was tough work, because we made it hard for ourselves at times,” said the 64-year-old.
Shouts of "Olympics, Olympics" from the team bus
At first his players were still bickering about their performance against the Czech Republic. “The mood was quite mixed in the changing room. On one hand we are happy that we’ve managed it, but on the other we are angry that we didn’t win,” said Leonardo Bittencourt. “Maybe after we sleep on it, we’ll realise how big it really is.” The 21-year-old was probably wrong about that, because the realization was clear to see on the team bus as they returned to their hotel in Prague.
There were shouts of “Olympics, Olympics” from the team mixed in with Brazilian samba beats. Appropriately enough the beats were coming from Bittencourt, who had earlier been bickering. The DJ with Brazilian roots really warmed up the mood. It seemed that suddenly everyone understood what the team had just achieved. “We are proud because not many people have managed this. We are going to the Olympics,” gushed Johannes Geis. During the 20-minute bus journey, you really got the feeling that the penny had dropped with everyone. The Olympics dream was complete.
A change of scenery maybe isn’t so bad
There is, however, still the big aim of this tournament, which the team has spent weeks and months working towards: the Euro title. “We’ve had three intense games and yesterday was especially nerve-racking,” said Kevin Volland on the game against the Czech Republic. “At the end of the day, if we concede, we go home. If we score, we’re first.” But now the most important thing is to concentrate on the semi-finals and the next opponent.
Portugal, Sweden, England and Italy all have a chance of progressing from Group B, but the coach is not too fussed about who his team gets in the semi-finals. “I’ve already said it several times; all the teams at this tournament are equally as good. We will watch the Group B games tonight and then concentrate on preparing ourselves for our opponent,” says Hrubesch.
Even the upcoming trip to Olmütz is now seen in a different light. “Yesterday we were angry that we hadn’t won, but that’s now behind us,” explains Julian Korb. “We have to move and see something different, and a change of scenery maybe isn’t so bad,” according to the Borussia Mönchengladbach defender.
Hrubesch: “It’s almost the same course as 2009”
Horst Hrubesch sees parallels with the 2009 European U21s. That time Hrubesch had future World Cup winners Neuer, Hummels, Özil, Khedira, Boateng and Höwedes in his Euro-winning team. “It’s almost the same course as 2009, when we also began with a draw, then won and then drew again,” according to Hrubesch. “Last time we made it to the final and won the thing, and I wouldn’t complain if that’s how we did it this time.”
There was an odd atmosphere around the German U21 team after the final whistle at Prague’s Eden Arena. The 1-1 draw against the hosts in the final group game of the European U21 Championship in the Czech Republic was enough for qualification for the semi-finals and the Olympic Games. Horst Hrubesch’s team finished second in their group, after Denmark beat Serbia 2-0, and must now travel to Olmütz for their semi-final on Saturday (18:00 CEST).
Every player was thinking more about the missed opportunity to top the group and their upcoming journey to Olmütz, instead of celebrating such an historic event, because at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, a German team will be present for the first time since 1988. Coach Horst Hrubesch was very pleased with qualification for the Olympics after the final whistle: “We can all be very happy with ourselves. That was tough work, because we made it hard for ourselves at times,” said the 64-year-old.
Shouts of "Olympics, Olympics" from the team bus
At first his players were still bickering about their performance against the Czech Republic. “The mood was quite mixed in the changing room. On one hand we are happy that we’ve managed it, but on the other we are angry that we didn’t win,” said Leonardo Bittencourt. “Maybe after we sleep on it, we’ll realise how big it really is.” The 21-year-old was probably wrong about that, because the realization was clear to see on the team bus as they returned to their hotel in Prague.
There were shouts of “Olympics, Olympics” from the team mixed in with Brazilian samba beats. Appropriately enough the beats were coming from Bittencourt, who had earlier been bickering. The DJ with Brazilian roots really warmed up the mood. It seemed that suddenly everyone understood what the team had just achieved. “We are proud because not many people have managed this. We are going to the Olympics,” gushed Johannes Geis. During the 20-minute bus journey, you really got the feeling that the penny had dropped with everyone. The Olympics dream was complete.
A change of scenery maybe isn’t so bad
There is, however, still the big aim of this tournament, which the team has spent weeks and months working towards: the Euro title. “We’ve had three intense games and yesterday was especially nerve-racking,” said Kevin Volland on the game against the Czech Republic. “At the end of the day, if we concede, we go home. If we score, we’re first.” But now the most important thing is to concentrate on the semi-finals and the next opponent.
Portugal, Sweden, England and Italy all have a chance of progressing from Group B, but the coach is not too fussed about who his team gets in the semi-finals. “I’ve already said it several times; all the teams at this tournament are equally as good. We will watch the Group B games tonight and then concentrate on preparing ourselves for our opponent,” says Hrubesch.
Even the upcoming trip to Olmütz is now seen in a different light. “Yesterday we were angry that we hadn’t won, but that’s now behind us,” explains Julian Korb. “We have to move and see something different, and a change of scenery maybe isn’t so bad,” according to the Borussia Mönchengladbach defender.
Hrubesch: “It’s almost the same course as 2009”
Horst Hrubesch sees parallels with the 2009 European U21s. That time Hrubesch had future World Cup winners Neuer, Hummels, Özil, Khedira, Boateng and Höwedes in his Euro-winning team. “It’s almost the same course as 2009, when we also began with a draw, then won and then drew again,” according to Hrubesch. “Last time we made it to the final and won the thing, and I wouldn’t complain if that’s how we did it this time.”
The players especially are all in agreement. The joy of the Olympics is there, but they can’t lose sight of their aim to win the Euros. “We are now in the last four and we want more. We want this cup,” announced Marc-André ter Stegen.
