The penalty drama of the U17 fascinates Schweinsteiger, Gündogan & Co. The young German footballers continue to fascinate on the way to the World Cup title. The new edition of the European Championship final brings the decision.
After the final penalty, U17 goal hero Paris Brunner threw away his jersey during his triumphant run and penalty expert Konstantin Heide danced exuberantly across the lawn. After a nervous thriller from the point, the German youth national team is in the World Cup final almost four decades ago and will meet France there on Saturday (1 p.m./Sky Sport News).
“Now of course we want to have the gold medal,” said coach Christian Wück after a dramatic semi-final victory over Argentina. In the dressing room, the coach clenched his fists and shouted his joy in front of the celebrating talents.
A debutant becomes a hero
“I think the fans in Germany have been longing for a team like this for a long time,” said the 50-year-old. In the thrilling performance in Indonesia, goalkeeper Heide from SpVgg Unterhaching saved Argentina’s first two penalties on their World Cup debut – double goalscorer Brunner then converted the decisive attempt to make it 4-2 for Germany. “We definitely want to win the title now and finish the journey together,” said Brunner.
After more than 100 exciting minutes of play, the score was 3:3 (1:2). The Dortmund talent Brunner was the goalscorer again with a brace (10th/58th minute), and after Hoffenheim’s Max Moerstedt (69th) made it 3-2, Germany looked like the winner for a long time. But triple goal scorer Agustin Ruberto (36th/45th+4th/90th+7th) saved an initially superior successor generation of Lionel Messi & Co. in the penalty shootout.
Schweinsteiger and Gündogan are thrilled
In warm, humid Surakarta, Wück’s selection once again demonstrated their great class – and enormous taking qualities. Former world champion Bastian Schweinsteiger praised the “mentality and will to win”, while DFB captain Ilkay Gündogan praised the final as “absolutely deserved”. “We hope that they take the final step and reward themselves with the title,” said Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel.
Hans-Joachim Watzke also congratulated the U17s. “These are exactly the stories that German football needs! My big compliment goes to the team and the coaching staff. What they have achieved is simply great,” said the 1st Vice President of the German Football Association. “It was very emotional, very exciting, and I am extremely happy that we reached the final,” said the 64-year-old.
After dreary days for the senior national team, the youth team continues to delight the German Football Association. After the European Championship title in the summer, when the U17 won from the point in the final against France, they are looking for another title. “We in Germany long for a team like this that embodies the German virtues,” said the coach. “The German virtues in the 80s and 90s were that we never give up, that we always believe in victory, that we always stick together and that we do everything we can to leave the pitch as winners.”
Like at the European Championships
The new edition of the European Championship final against France, which Germany won on penalties, is already captivating everyone. “The boys didn’t lose a game at the European Championships and didn’t lose a game here. The boys have it in them to take the next step,” said Wück. He once again condemned racist comments on the Internet against some of his players.
“The boys give their hearts to our country, they were all born in Germany, they are all proud to be able to play with the eagle on their chest. It’s a really big honor, and that’s exactly what you notice,” said Wück.
The DFB has only managed to reach the final once in this tournament history. In 1985, the selection led by top scorer Marcel Witeczek – at that time U16 teams still competed against each other – had to admit defeat to Nigeria 0-2. The last time a German team around Rani Khedira and Mitchell Weiser made it to the semifinals was in 2011. At that time, the team came third.
Two players take on leading roles
As in the 1-0 win against Spain in the quarter-finals, when Brunner’s converted penalty kick brought victory against dominant Spaniards, the BVB jewel also played a leading role in the semi-finals. He shone as a double goalscorer, but also conceded a goal. “Paris is an individual on the pitch, which every team needs,” said Wück. But he could put himself even more at the service of the team.
Heide did this without complaint at this tournament as a reservist. But he was there when FC Bayern regular goalkeeper Max Schmitt had to miss the game because he was ill. Heide saved repeatedly in stoppage time – he was powerless to equalize. And his big moment came in the penalty shootout. “I knew that I would be there when I had to play, was allowed to play,” said Heide. “There hasn’t been a German U17 world champion yet. It would be history, but a very tough game awaits us.”
Source: Stern
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