After the final, DFB vice president Dr. Hans-Dieter Drewitz, president of the DFB youth committee Christian Pothe, and DFB director Ulf Schott will lead the award ceremony. DFB sporting director Hansi Flick and Germany's U19s coach Marcus Sorg will also be in attendance.
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Schalke 04 and 1899 Hoffenheim go head-to-head tonight for the German U19 Championship. S04 will be aiming for their fourth title, while holders TSG will be trying to capture their second. Hoffenheim coach Julian Nagelsmann could make history tonight should his team win. Since the introduction of the U19 Bundesliga back in 2003, there has never been a team who has won the league twice in a row. Last year saw TSG defeat Hannover 5-0 in a one-sided final. Before reaching the showpiece last year, Hoffenheim defeated their opponent this time around 1-0 on aggregate in the semis.
Meanwhile, Schalke have already won the title on three occasions with the last time coming in 2012 as coach Norbert Elgert and his team defeated Bayern München's U19s 2-1. It was the second time that the Royal Blues had toppled Bayern in the final, with the first instance coming back in 2006. S04's first title came all the way back in 1976 as they defeated Rot-Weiss Essen 5-1. Additionally, Schalke have finished runners-up three times, in 1975, 1980 and 1981.
Schalke 04 have to push on without Maurice Multhaup
Schalke reached the final after beating Karlsruher SC 3-2 on aggregate. “They were two very tight legs,” said Norbert Elgert, whose record with the Ruhr club in the final is flawless. “We want to give everything possible to clinch our fourth title,” said the 58-year-old. “Hoffenheim are the favourites going into the match but, just like in 2012 against Bayern, if we have the support of the fans and our team puts in a good performance, we can win."
Schalke’s youth director Oliver Ruhnert sees the visitors as the favourites as well. “Hoffenheim have the upper hand, but in one game, everything is possible. Whoever reaches the final, also wants to win it,” the 42-year-old told DFB.de. "Either way, we've had a fantastic season, but winning the title would be the cherry on the cake.“
The hosts will be without Maurice Multhaup. The 18-year-old Germany youth international is nursing an injury to his patellar tendon. Meanwhile, Schalke's top scorer Felix Schröter will be reunited with his former teammates. The 19-year-old played for Hoffenheim last season as they were crowned champions. Schröter did not play in the final against Hannover, and only played 16 minutes against Schalke in the second leg of last year’s semi-finals.
Champions Hoffenheim are"not satisfied"
27-year-old Hoffenheim coach Julian Nagelsmann, who is 31 years younger than his Schalke counterpart Norbert Elgert, will not have a full squad to choose from in the final as defenders Benedikt Gimber (ankle fracture) and Simon Lorenz (tonsillitis) will be missing. Meanwhile, a late decision will be made on centre back Nicolai Rapp (knee problems). Centre forward Esad Morina, who previously played for Schalke, will be in the Hoffenheim squad for the match.
Two 3-2 victories over northeast champions RB Leipzig were enough to see Hoffenheim into the 47th edition of the U19 final, as the team from southern Germany fought back from a 2-1 deficit. “It shows the character of the team and how they kept composed despite being down,” said Nagelsmann to DFB.de.
The team departed from Hoffenheim towards western Germany on Sunday afternoon. Before the DFB banquet on Monday night, the team will train one final time in Wattenscheid. “The boys are not yet satisfied,” said the TSG coach.
Drewitz, Pothe und Schott to lead the award ceremony
After the final, DFB vice president Dr. Hans-Dieter Drewitz, president of the DFB youth committee Christian Pothe, and DFB director Ulf Schott will lead the award ceremony. DFB sporting director Hansi Flick and Germany's U19s coach Marcus Sorg will also be in attendance.