U21 European Championship
Again no EM euphoria: U21 “mirror image” of the Flick team
Antonio Di Salvo threatens the end of the European Championship with the U21. photo
© Sebastian Kahnert/dpa
After the mood of the national team was low, the U21s are not looking forward to the home European Championship either. From the point of view of DFB sporting director Rudi Völler, this is no coincidence. But he doesn’t want to “give up without a fight”.
Over a cappuccino in the posh U21 team hotel on the Black Sea, Rudi Völler had to explain the next setbacks for German football. The DFB sports director didn’t show his great frustration after the disappointment of the U21s at the European Championships.
In view of the increasing number of setbacks and the great sadness a year before the European Championships at home, the 63-year-old spoke of the “mirror image of the senior national team” and had to admit: “The results don’t necessarily speak for us now.”
After the three sobering A international matches without a win under national coach Hansi Flick, the U21s, which have been so successful for a long time, are also facing a debacle in the summer of 2023. After the 1: 2 against the Czech Republic and the 1: 1 in a long majority against Israel, coach Antonio Di Salvo’s selection at the European Championship is threatened with the first preliminary round in ten years.
Völler introduces himself to Flick and Di Salvo
And the women’s national team hasn’t played too well lately and, a month before the start of the World Cup, is still not creating a spirit of optimism. “The bare numbers are what they are. It’s hard to argue against that,” admitted Völler, who once again clearly placed himself ahead of Flick and Di Salvo. He still trusts national coach Flick to restart after the summer break, Di Salvo’s contract was extended until 2025 shortly before the European Championships.
There is not really any anticipation with a view to the home European Championship in Germany in less than a year. Nevertheless, Völler tries to exude optimism. “That doesn’t mean we’re going to give up without a fight – whether here or with the senior team,” he said. “The time for experiments is over, now it’s time for the EM year.” The sporting director emphasized that the players are “still good enough” to play a successful tournament. He is far from resigned: “I haven’t given up hope.” He ruled out that he himself would act as team boss again.
However, Völler does not consider it a coincidence that after the deep crisis in the senior national team with the last three botched tournaments, there are now also problems in the youngsters. “I’m not saying it’s a lack of quality, but it’s a flaw,” he said. “It’s a question of mentality and we have to get that back.” Everyone in German football is now required here: clubs, associations, DFL and DFB.
threatens to end the Olympics
Völler watched the bitter second appearance of the U21s from the stands in the stadium in Batumi, Georgia, which opened in 2020. The defending champion is now not only threatened with knockout in the preliminary round, but also with missing out on the Olympic Games in 2024. Di Salvo seemed at a loss after the next EM low blow. “As a coach, you despair, too,” he admitted, referring to defensive mistakes and his team’s failure to convert chances.
A month after the U17s won the European Championship, the U21s’ chances of reaching the quarter-finals are slim. On Wednesday in the group final, Germany needs a win against the previously strong English team (6:00 p.m. CEST/Sat.1) and must also hope for Israel to win against the Czech Republic. However, this must not be too high so that Germany continues to have the better goal difference compared to Israel. “I believe in it because anything is possible in football,” said Di Salvo.
The 44-year-old started his first tournament as head coach with great expectations. Völler defended him despite the disappointing European Championship so far: “We extended the contract because he’s a very good coach. It won’t knock him down, it happens.”
High expectations disappointed
After the successful era under Stefan Kuntz with three finals and two titles, which Di Salvo helped shape as assistant coach, hopes before the tournament in Georgia and Romania were high. Di Salvo named the Olympic qualification as the minimum goal, Youssoufa Moukoko confidently claimed the title again. But in Georgia, a lot went against the German U21s: in a sporty way, but also off the pitch.
Just as the national team’s embarrassing elimination from the preliminary round at the World Cup in Qatar was accompanied by the politically charged debate about the One Love captain’s armband, the U21s also had to struggle with issues off the pitch at this European Championship. After the 1-1 draw against Israel, Moukoko made racist insults against himself public on the internet.
The processing occupied the DFB in the already tight tournament calendar for several hours before the second game. Völler explicitly praised the handling of it. “Those responsible here have worked through it wonderfully and reacted great to it,” he said. With a view to the home EM and possible further political debates, he said: “Unfortunately, I cannot promise that something like this will not happen again.”