The Germany national team have finally achieved their goal that they set at the start of the Olympics as they’re in the mens football final in Rio de Janeiro. Germany coach Horst Hrubesch lauded their famous company at the very first dinner of the games, as his lesser-known players were side by side with stars like Nikola Karabatic – the French handball superstar and USA 100m silver medallist sprinter, Justin Gatlin. The team have been preparing for two days in this special atmosphere for the final of the men’s football, which will take place on Saturday (17.30 CEST) in the Maracana against the hosts Brazil.
At the very least the silver medal is guaranteed and with that Germany’s best ever performance at an Olympic games, but the team obviously want more. Someone who shares this desire is centre-back Niklas Süle. The 20-year-old from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim has played in every game so far at the tournament and has impressed with his ball-winning ability and intelligent build up play. In an interview with DFB.de, Niklas Süle speaks about the hard fought semi-final victory (2-0) against Nigeria and looks ahead to the challenging final against Brazil. He also tells us about the atmosphere in the Olympic village and reveals how he’ll go about stopping Brazil captain Neymar.
DFB.de: Mr Süle, before we speak about the huge final on Saturday, what are your thoughts on the semi-final encounter against Nigeria?
Niklas Süle: They were a really tough opponent. Nigeria pushed us to the limit but we could have sealed the win earlier. It stayed 1-0 for too long so by the end of the game it was very tense. If our counterattacks were better at the end, we would have decided the tie earlier. But that doesn’t matter now as we have our dream final against Brazil.
DFB.de: So far you’ve been to Salvador, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia and Sao Paulo. Now finally you’ll play the final in Rio. How has all the travelling been for you?
Süle: The pains of travelling have been worth it. A certain togetherness has developed. We give everything for the victory and for our coach Horst Hrubesch, who’s at his last, big tournament.
DFB.de: On Saturday you’ll play your dream final against Brazil in the Maracana against the hosts. How do you feel when you look ahead to the game?
Süle: It’s just indescribable. We’re really looking forward to it. Rio provides a fantastic backdrop and everyone at home in Germany is supporting us in front of the TV. As a footballer there’s nothing better.
DFB.de: At the very least, you’ve already won a historic silver medal. Could this lead to you being a little complacent?
Süle: No, definitely not. Of course we’re very proud of what we’ve already achieved, but we want more. It will be a breathtaking final and we’ll probably only get one chance to win gold in our lives. Therefore, we want to seize the opportunity and win the game. Then our success story will be perfect.
DFB.de: How do you assess your opponents Brazil?
Süle: We have followed Brazil’s games and are now analysing them together as a team with the coaching staff. They have enormous quality in attack so we’ll have to be careful and defend well. But this idea is shared by the whole team – starting with the strikers. With Neymar, Brazil have a world-class player in their ranks who we’ll have to take out of the game.
DFB.de: How are you going to go about doing that?
Süle: Like I’ve already said, we have to stay compact and defend with everyone. Only if we make life hard for them do we have a chance and can display our attacking quality. Until now we’ve scored the most goals in the tournament but Brazil haven’t conceded yet. We can change that with our quality in attack.
DFB.de: You have mentioned that the team have improved from game to game and grown closer. How has this happened?
Süle: It was completely normal that not everything went well in the first games. We only had a short preparation period and weren’t all fully fit because we had started the season with our club teams. Also, we didn’t all know each other then. In the first two games we conceded five goals but in the last three matches we haven’t conceded any – and we were playing very strong opponents like Portugal and Nigeria. We have all now gotten to grips with our playing style and can play over 90 minutes, and when necessary 120, at full speed. It’s just really fun to be with the rest of the lads; everyone helps everyone else and gives everything. Our team spirit is decisive.
DFB.de: Are you happy with your own performances in the tournament?
Süle: Overall yes. I have been able to play in all the games and we have reached the final. As a defender I rely on the guys in front of me, who do a super job at stopping many attacks before they have a chance to start. However, when the opposition do break through and I’m needed at the back I put everything into tackles.
DFB.de: How are you finding the atmosphere in the Olympic village?
Süle: It’s unique, we’ll probably never be able to experience something similar in our lives so we’re enjoying it to the full. On Thursday we arrived late but this special Olympic feeling was there. It’s really hard to describe. Living in a single village with athletes from different countries and meeting some top stars is something special.
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The Germany national team have finally achieved their goal that they set at the start of the Olympics as they’re in the mens football final in Rio de Janeiro. Germany coach Horst Hrubesch lauded their famous company at the very first dinner of the games, as his lesser-known players were side by side with stars like Nikola Karabatic – the French handball superstar and USA 100m silver medallist sprinter, Justin Gatlin. The team have been preparing for two days in this special atmosphere for the final of the men’s football, which will take place on Saturday (17.30 CEST) in the Maracana against the hosts Brazil.
At the very least the silver medal is guaranteed and with that Germany’s best ever performance at an Olympic games, but the team obviously want more. Someone who shares this desire is centre-back Niklas Süle. The 20-year-old from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim has played in every game so far at the tournament and has impressed with his ball-winning ability and intelligent build up play. In an interview with DFB.de, Niklas Süle speaks about the hard fought semi-final victory (2-0) against Nigeria and looks ahead to the challenging final against Brazil. He also tells us about the atmosphere in the Olympic village and reveals how he’ll go about stopping Brazil captain Neymar.
DFB.de: Mr Süle, before we speak about the huge final on Saturday, what are your thoughts on the semi-final encounter against Nigeria?
Niklas Süle: They were a really tough opponent. Nigeria pushed us to the limit but we could have sealed the win earlier. It stayed 1-0 for too long so by the end of the game it was very tense. If our counterattacks were better at the end, we would have decided the tie earlier. But that doesn’t matter now as we have our dream final against Brazil.
DFB.de: So far you’ve been to Salvador, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia and Sao Paulo. Now finally you’ll play the final in Rio. How has all the travelling been for you?
Süle: The pains of travelling have been worth it. A certain togetherness has developed. We give everything for the victory and for our coach Horst Hrubesch, who’s at his last, big tournament.
DFB.de: On Saturday you’ll play your dream final against Brazil in the Maracana against the hosts. How do you feel when you look ahead to the game?
Süle: It’s just indescribable. We’re really looking forward to it. Rio provides a fantastic backdrop and everyone at home in Germany is supporting us in front of the TV. As a footballer there’s nothing better.
DFB.de: At the very least, you’ve already won a historic silver medal. Could this lead to you being a little complacent?
Süle: No, definitely not. Of course we’re very proud of what we’ve already achieved, but we want more. It will be a breathtaking final and we’ll probably only get one chance to win gold in our lives. Therefore, we want to seize the opportunity and win the game. Then our success story will be perfect.
DFB.de: How do you assess your opponents Brazil?
Süle: We have followed Brazil’s games and are now analysing them together as a team with the coaching staff. They have enormous quality in attack so we’ll have to be careful and defend well. But this idea is shared by the whole team – starting with the strikers. With Neymar, Brazil have a world-class player in their ranks who we’ll have to take out of the game.
DFB.de: How are you going to go about doing that?
Süle: Like I’ve already said, we have to stay compact and defend with everyone. Only if we make life hard for them do we have a chance and can display our attacking quality. Until now we’ve scored the most goals in the tournament but Brazil haven’t conceded yet. We can change that with our quality in attack.
DFB.de: You have mentioned that the team have improved from game to game and grown closer. How has this happened?
Süle: It was completely normal that not everything went well in the first games. We only had a short preparation period and weren’t all fully fit because we had started the season with our club teams. Also, we didn’t all know each other then. In the first two games we conceded five goals but in the last three matches we haven’t conceded any – and we were playing very strong opponents like Portugal and Nigeria. We have all now gotten to grips with our playing style and can play over 90 minutes, and when necessary 120, at full speed. It’s just really fun to be with the rest of the lads; everyone helps everyone else and gives everything. Our team spirit is decisive.
DFB.de: Are you happy with your own performances in the tournament?
Süle: Overall yes. I have been able to play in all the games and we have reached the final. As a defender I rely on the guys in front of me, who do a super job at stopping many attacks before they have a chance to start. However, when the opposition do break through and I’m needed at the back I put everything into tackles.
DFB.de: How are you finding the atmosphere in the Olympic village?
Süle: It’s unique, we’ll probably never be able to experience something similar in our lives so we’re enjoying it to the full. On Thursday we arrived late but this special Olympic feeling was there. It’s really hard to describe. Living in a single village with athletes from different countries and meeting some top stars is something special.
