Polanski primed for final four

By Andrew Haslam in Belfast

Eugen Polanski is hoping Germany can continue the impressive form they have shown in defeating Greece and hosts Northern Ireland as they prepare to face France in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship semi-finals on Tuesday evening.

Stylish response
Germany surrendered a 2-0 lead to lose 4-2 against Serbia and Montenegro in the opening round of fixtures at these finals, but responded in style against the Greeks two days later, strikes from Florian Müller, Polanski - his second of the tournament - and Kevin-Prince Boateng earning a 3-0 victory. Ulrich Stielike's side duly confirmed their semi-final place as Group A runners-up with a narrow 2-1 win against the Northern Irish on Saturday, Markus Steinhöfer and Denis Epstein getting the goals late on.

Defensive switch
"The first game didn't go so well for us, but the second was pretty good," the Germany captain told uefa.com. "I think the difference between the two was the second half. Against Greece, we did not press so far forward but stood back and consolidated more, and I think that was really important.

Upper hand
"Serbia and Montenegro were a very good side - not quite so good as us, I think, but still a good team," Polanski went on. "They played very good football, but neither they nor Greece are as good as us in my opinion. We started very well against Greece and that was very important after losing the first game. We took control in the first five minutes and got ourselves in front. At half-time we said we should stay back a bit, but then scored the third goal quickly which was good for us as it allowed us to play our game."

Fine-tuning required
Stielike had spoken about the need to raise his players' spirits after their first game, and Polanski acknowledged that some fine-tuning had been taken place. "Between the first two matches, the coach spoke to us a lot," the VfL Borussia Mönchegladbach player said. "In the first half of the first game, we didn't give Serbia and Montenegro a chance, but in the second we lost control and so the match. However, we are good enough not to have to worry about other teams. I think we can beat anyone.

'New challenges'
Polanski added that Northern Ireland had presented a different test to Germany, but said this is what this tournament is all about. "We have to meet new challenges," the 19-year-old said. "This is a great experience for us young people, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I'm learning lots, international football is a lot different to the domestic game as it's a lot harder and faster. In Germaany, you get more time on the ball."

Different role
Despite scoring against both Serbia and Montenegro and Greece, Polanski revealed that he had consciously adopted a less offensive role in Germany's second outing. "Of course I try to score in every game but it's maybe more important to dictate more from midfield," he said. "After the first game, I consciously tried to sit back and defend a bit more. We have four midfield players, so if one or two of them go forward, the other two or three have to stay back."

Potential winners
The captain has no doubts as to his side's potential, saying: "I don't think there's any doubt we can win the tournament. I've seen a bit of the teams in Group A, I know France and they're very good, they're strong guys. In the semi-final, perhaps it will come down to who is the better side on the day but we can definitely win."