Two titles, several role models and lots of inspiration. The Germany under-19 squad have watched a lot of visual lessons over the past few days ahead of their opening match at the European under-19 Championships against Holland, which takes place tonight at 18:00 CEST. The under-19 players have gained confidence after watching the under-21s win their European Championship title in Poland, as well as the first team claiming the Confederations Cup in Russia and are full of optimism ahead going into their own tournament.
“Both teams are full of top quality players and have proved under difficult circumstances that you can achieve greatness with the right mentality, character and team spirit,” said under-19 head coach Frank Kramer, who like Joachim Löw and Stefan Kuntz, must make do without some key players in the upcoming tournament. Felix Passlack and Dženis Burnić were not allowed by Borussia Dortmund to join up with the squad, whilst Johannes Eggestein (SV Werder Bremen) and captain Salih Özcan (1. FC Köln) had to withdraw at late notice. For this reason, Frank Kramer called up FC Bayern München’s Maxime Awoudja to the squad on Sunday evening.
Kramer: “I have 100% faith in the boys”
It’s no surprise that Frank Kramer puts emphasis on team spirit and mentality when he talks about role models in German football. “It’s all about overcoming challenges and putting ourselves on the right path. I have 100% faith in the boys who are here,” said the 45-year old. “Not everything will go smoothly from the beginning. The boys haven’t been playing together for so long and they’re going to be nervous, however it will all depend on approaching matches with the right attitude and putting on our best performances.”
Holland also have a depleted squad because of the tournament starting later in the summer. Eight players who featured regularly thorough the qualification campaign are not part of the squad this time round. Among those Justin Kluviert, the son of former Dutch star striker Patrick Kluviert. He is busy preparing for the busy upcoming season with his club Ajax, who will be playing in the Champions League this year.
Kramer: “We have to get stuck in”
The German under-19 squad certainly should not underestimate their upcoming opponent. “They have a very athletic and dynamic team who are strong at the back and have a lot of threatening attacking players,” confirms Frank Kramer. “They will be fully focused on getting results.”
And at the end of the day, it’s the result that counts, especially at an international tournament. “At the start of a tournament, you never know how things are going to turn out. Therefore, we must get stuck in and strive to win every match, just like the first team and under-21s have done” continues Kramer.
Two titles, several role models and lots of inspiration. The Germany under-19 squad have watched a lot of visual lessons over the past few days ahead of their opening match at the European under-19 Championships against Holland, which takes place tonight at 18:00 CEST. The under-19 players have gained confidence after watching the under-21s win their European Championship title in Poland, as well as the first team claiming the Confederations Cup in Russia and are full of optimism ahead going into their own tournament.
“Both teams are full of top quality players and have proved under difficult circumstances that you can achieve greatness with the right mentality, character and team spirit,” said under-19 head coach Frank Kramer, who like Joachim Löw and Stefan Kuntz, must make do without some key players in the upcoming tournament. Felix Passlack and Dženis Burnić were not allowed by Borussia Dortmund to join up with the squad, whilst Johannes Eggestein (SV Werder Bremen) and captain Salih Özcan (1. FC Köln) had to withdraw at late notice. For this reason, Frank Kramer called up FC Bayern München’s Maxime Awoudja to the squad on Sunday evening.
Kramer: “I have 100% faith in the boys”
It’s no surprise that Frank Kramer puts emphasis on team spirit and mentality when he talks about role models in German football. “It’s all about overcoming challenges and putting ourselves on the right path. I have 100% faith in the boys who are here,” said the 45-year old. “Not everything will go smoothly from the beginning. The boys haven’t been playing together for so long and they’re going to be nervous, however it will all depend on approaching matches with the right attitude and putting on our best performances.”
Holland also have a depleted squad because of the tournament starting later in the summer. Eight players who featured regularly thorough the qualification campaign are not part of the squad this time round. Among those Justin Kluviert, the son of former Dutch star striker Patrick Kluviert. He is busy preparing for the busy upcoming season with his club Ajax, who will be playing in the Champions League this year.
Kramer: “We have to get stuck in”
The German under-19 squad certainly should not underestimate their upcoming opponent. “They have a very athletic and dynamic team who are strong at the back and have a lot of threatening attacking players,” confirms Frank Kramer. “They will be fully focused on getting results.”
And at the end of the day, it’s the result that counts, especially at an international tournament. “At the start of a tournament, you never know how things are going to turn out. Therefore, we must get stuck in and strive to win every match, just like the first team and under-21s have done” continues Kramer.
