Sammer talks up German youth talent

When Matthias Sammer was appointed German Football Association (DFB) technical director in April 2006, he made youth development a priority. And he is looking forward to watching their latest crop of talent on home soil in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship.

Youth development
The tournament begins on Wednesday with Germany facing Turkey in Erfurt, the hosts hoping it will be the start of a run that ends with them lifting the trophy in Magdeburg in a fortnight's time. Since reunification Germany have never reached the final of the competition, but since Sammer took over they made the last four in 2007 and a year later were crowned U19 champions. "For a long time we have been 'asleep' at youth level," Sammer told UFA.com. "We now have new concepts; I am trying to build up teams from U15 to U17 to U19, to ensure there is a smooth path to the A-team."

Strong tournament
Germany are joined by England and Netherlands in a tough group, and with holders Spain, France, Switzerland and Italy also in the tournament, the U17 finals look like being an exciting affair. "I am definitely looking forward to the tournament," Sammer said. "We have eight strong teams and both groups are equally tough."

Spanish example
Sammer, the scorer of the last-ever goal for the old East Germany, a EURO '96 winner with the unified nation and helped BV Borussia Dortmund to the UEFA Champions League a year later, says he thinks two or three unnamed members of the current U17 squad are showing "early signs of being top professionals", and emphasised the importance of success in these tournaments. "It was clear at UEFA EURO 2008," Sammer said. "There was a very good Spain team, and ten or eleven of them took their first steps in the youth team. It was very important for them to get this experience."

'Football without borders'
He added that the U17 finals, which will be played in 12 towns and cities throughout eastern Germany, is about more than the matches themselves. "Our slogan is football without borders," Sammer said. "We try to understand the world that it is more than a game, but also an opportunity to bring people together."