Germany driven by twin engine

Germany's progress to the UEFA European Under-19 Championship final has been based around their traditional virtues of pace, power and fitness, and the heart of their midfield in the Czech Republic also has a familiar look to it.

'Just win'
Twins Lars and Sven Bender have been crucial components in Germany reaching Saturday's showpiece against Italy in Jablonec, and both are clear on their remaining objectives are for the tournament. "Just win," Lars told uefa.com. "The team has to keep doing what we have been, keep our discipline and shape, stick to our tactics and make sure we take our chances. What we've done so far is a big step towards where we want to go." "The immediate goal is to become European champions, and it would be an absolute dream to do that with my brother," Sven added.

Close combination
The twins have been the heartbeat of Germany's midfield and, while it may be unusual for observers to see two such similar players, for the brothers it is nothing new. "We know this feeling from the [2006] European U17 Championship and from our clubs too, especially [TSV] 1860 München – we've played in the same team since we joined them," Sven explained. Lars elaborated further, saying: "We've always been in the same team. There has never been a question of us playing for a different side, although you can't predict what will happen in the future."

Differing talents
The pair are virtually identical, and distinguishing them is made harder as both play in central midfield and have similar styles, although the twins are keen to highlight that they do possess different talents as well. "There are only small differences between us as players, which perhaps aren't obvious to people who watch us," Lars admitted. "We do have some differences, although we fit together very well. I'm a little bit more offensive than Sven, who is more defensive – although we are quite alike. We play in the same position after all."

'The Benders'
For his part, Sven acknowledges that being a twin has left to people bracketing the pair together rather than assessing them in turn. "We are not judged as individuals – nobody talks about Lars Bender or Sven Bender, people only talk about 'the Benders', as in 'the Benders played well' or 'the Benders played badly'," he said. "In a way this has made us stronger because we've learned than one of us can help the other improve and raise his game, although in the future we might have to [separate] because we play in the same position." "We've developed at the same rate," Lars added. "We've always made the same progress at the same time, although one of us may have made big steps and the other small steps – but again, these are only small differences."

Bundesliga target
Not among those small differences are their career ambitions, with both eager to reach the very highest level. "I want to play in the Bundesliga one day, hopefully with 1860 München," Sven said. "Eventually my goal is to get into the senior national team, play in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup with my club and the [FIFA] World Cup or [UEFA] European Championships at senior level with my country." The twins might be keen to be thought of as individuals but they are united by a common goal as Germany seek a first youth title since the 1992 European U17 Championship, Lars saying: "I've always enjoyed playing for Germany but to become European champions would be fantastic."