The Germany U17 women’s national team had a trip planned for the day after their nerve-wracking 3-2 victory over Norway in the semi-final of the European Championships. “In the morning we had recovery session and in the afternoon we went to Prague,” reported Andrea Brunner. The FC Bayern Munich defender scored the decisive penalty in the shootout against the Scandinavians to ensure Germany a place in the final. “We are very happy to have reached the final, it’s a real highlight for all of us,” she said. The final against Spain is on Sunday (18:30 CEST) in Plzen.
The trip to the Czech capital was a welcome distraction. “It’s obviously beneficial to clear the mind,” said 17 year old Brunner. After a one-and-half hour bus ride from the hotel in Plzen, the team arrived in Prague, where the players split up into small groups and explored the historic city centre. In the evening they rejoined at a Pizzeria. “We had all looked forward to that a lot. I think we deserved it after the semi-final,” smiled Brunner.
Bernhard: “Evenly matched teams”
On Saturday, coach Anouschka Bernhard’s team returned to the pitch, before holding a team meeting. “The focus will clearly be on the final against Spain, we are preparing intensively for the game,” assured Brunner.
The coach expects a thrilling contest: “This will be our third final against Spain in four years - it will be an intense game. We managed a great performance in the group stage, which won’t be easy to replicate. I expect a game between two evenly matched teams.”
Brunner: “We have to give 100 percent”
Germany and Spain already faced each other in the opening game of the Euros, in which the DFB team secured a 4-1 victory. “We put on a really good performance in that game, we want to play the final the same way,” said Brunner.
Sunday’s game will also be a rematch of last year’s final, when Germany and Spain produced a hard-fought affair that ended in a 3-2 penalty shootout victory for the DFB team. It was Germany’s fifth European Championship title since the U17 Euros were introduced in the 2007/08 season. Spain have lifted the trophy three times, with 2015 being their most recent triumph. Sunday’s final is shaping up to be a real battle. “Spain are very strong, we have to give 100 percent in order to make our dream of winning the title come true,” said Brunner.
The Germany U17 women’s national team had a trip planned for the day after their nerve-wracking 3-2 victory over Norway in the semi-final of the European Championships. “In the morning we had recovery session and in the afternoon we went to Prague,” reported Andrea Brunner. The FC Bayern Munich defender scored the decisive penalty in the shootout against the Scandinavians to ensure Germany a place in the final. “We are very happy to have reached the final, it’s a real highlight for all of us,” she said. The final against Spain is on Sunday (18:30 CEST) in Plzen.
The trip to the Czech capital was a welcome distraction. “It’s obviously beneficial to clear the mind,” said 17 year old Brunner. After a one-and-half hour bus ride from the hotel in Plzen, the team arrived in Prague, where the players split up into small groups and explored the historic city centre. In the evening they rejoined at a Pizzeria. “We had all looked forward to that a lot. I think we deserved it after the semi-final,” smiled Brunner.
Bernhard: “Evenly matched teams”
On Saturday, coach Anouschka Bernhard’s team returned to the pitch, before holding a team meeting. “The focus will clearly be on the final against Spain, we are preparing intensively for the game,” assured Brunner.
The coach expects a thrilling contest: “This will be our third final against Spain in four years - it will be an intense game. We managed a great performance in the group stage, which won’t be easy to replicate. I expect a game between two evenly matched teams.”
Brunner: “We have to give 100 percent”
Germany and Spain already faced each other in the opening game of the Euros, in which the DFB team secured a 4-1 victory. “We put on a really good performance in that game, we want to play the final the same way,” said Brunner.
Sunday’s game will also be a rematch of last year’s final, when Germany and Spain produced a hard-fought affair that ended in a 3-2 penalty shootout victory for the DFB team. It was Germany’s fifth European Championship title since the U17 Euros were introduced in the 2007/08 season. Spain have lifted the trophy three times, with 2015 being their most recent triumph. Sunday’s final is shaping up to be a real battle. “Spain are very strong, we have to give 100 percent in order to make our dream of winning the title come true,” said Brunner.
