U19 team guide: Germany

By Mark Bennett

After the disappointments of the summer with both the full national team and the Under-21s underachieving, German eyes are now fixed on the U19 squad.

Tough task
However, after being handed an extremely tough Group B draw, which places them alongside 2002 UEFA European Under-19 Championship winners Spain, Turkey and Poland, who won the tournament in 2001 in its previous incarnation as an U18 event, the Germans have their work cut out.

THE COACH:
Dieter Eilts won 31 caps for Germany and was part of the side that triumphed at UEFA EURO 1996™. He spent his entire playing career with SV Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga. After his playing days he took over Bremen's U19 side before joining the German Football Association (DFB) in July last year to take over the U19 national team. In his first ten games in charge, Germany did not lose, winning six matches and drawing four.

Semi-final aim
Despite the tough group Eilts is certain that his players can make the grade and even cause an upset. "Our confidence is high because of our good run and our first goal is to finish third in the group so that we qualify for the [FIFA] World Youth Championship in the Netherlands, but we would love to make the semi-finals and show everyone what we are capable of," he said.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Despite losing star striker Lukas Podolski to the full national team, Germany can still boast an impressive forward line. Sahr Senesie and Michael Delura are regular fixtures for BV Borussia Dortmund and FC Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga and Mario Gomez even appeared in the UEFA Champions League for VfB Stuttgart.

Excellent defence
Despite the impressive combination of pace and dedication up front Germany's true strength lies at the back. Goalkeeper René Adler not only captains the team, but leads from the back, and defenders Lukas Sinkiewicz, Andreas Ottl, Michael Stegmayer and Marvin Matip-Job are all fierce competitors who can also play a decisive role in opening up a game.

ROUTE TO THE FINALS:
Germany had no problems at all qualifying for the 2004 finals in Switzerland. In the first qualifying round they stormed past Luxembourg (6-1) and Malta (9-1) and drew 2-2 against Denmark. Their second round performance was even more impressive. Armenia were beaten 5-0, Portugal 1-0 thanks to a Delura penalty and Slovakia were Germany's final victims (2-1).

Honours in UEFA youth competitions:
UEFA European Under-16 Championship
Winners 1984 (as FDR), 1992
Runners-up 1982 (FDR), 1989 (as GDR), 1991 (FDR)
UEFA European Under-18 Championship
Winners 1981 (FDR) 1986 (GDR)
Runners-up 1998, 1994
UEFA European Under-19 Championship
Runners-up 2002

Other honours:
FIFA World Youth Championship
Winners 1981 (FDR)
Runners-up 1987 (FDR)
International Youth Tournament
Winners 1965 (GDR), 1970 (GDR)
Runners-up 1954 (FDR), 1969 (GDR), 1972 (FDR), 1973 (GDR)