U19 coaches hoping for Jablonec joy

Their sides will be in opposition in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship final on Saturday evening, but Germany coach Horst Hrubesch and his Italy counterpart Francesco Rocca were generous in their praise for each other at the pre-match news conference in Prague.

Unbeaten campaigns
Both finalists go into their match in Jablonec unbeaten in the Czech Republic with Italy having drawn their first two games and won the last two and Germany – the tournament's top scorers with nine goals – winning all four encounters. Indeed, neither side has tasted defeat in this competition all season, Italy victorious in all six of their qualifying games by two-goal margins and Germany drawing one match and winning the other five en route to these finals, so it is perhaps little surprise that both are highly respectful of one another ahead of the showpiece.

'Best two teams'
"Both of us deserve to be here," said Hrubesch. "We're both unbeaten and are the best two teams in the tournament. The chances are 50-50 now but my team is very confident, they really want to go for the title. We know Italy are a strong team, very compact in defence but I'm optimistic because my team has a goal and I'm confident they can achieve that." Rocca added: "We're really happy with this tournament and I'm pleased to meet my old friend Horst here but now we have to forget that – we want to win the tournament. We have a traditional rivalry with Germany and this is another important game."

'High ability'
The Italy coach has studied the final opposition in detail, and has been impressed with what he has seen from a side who ended the hopes of the Czech hosts with a 2-1 extra-time win in Wednesday's semi-finals. "Germany deserve our respect," Rocca said. "Like us they haven't lost and their level of technical and tactical ability is very high. We have a tactical plan but of course you have to manage it during the game and be adaptable. I'm really happy with my team's performances so far and I hope they'll give the best possible account of themselves in the final."

'Do everything'
Hrubesch is confident his players have recovered from their extra-time exertions against the Czech Republic and, although forward Savio Nsereko is suspended, believes his side have what it takes to become the first Germany team to win a youth title since the U17s in 1992. "There's no doubt we deserve to be here, we've shown that with our performances over the last two weeks," he said. "This has been our aim all season. We've shown in our matches that we would do anything to get here; we started this tournament saying we had five finals to play and we've kept that opinion all the way through. We'll do everything to win."

Long-term benefits
Despite their desire for victory, the coaches also have an eye on the long-term benefits of this event, Hrubesch explaining: "The players have an experience that will last all their lives and they have the chance to learn here. There's no better experience. You can't compare a tournament like this to training with a top-level club." Rocca, whose side last lifted this trophy in 2003 and who overcame Hungary in the last four, echoed those thoughts, adding: "The experience the players have gained here is really important for their lives, both as people and as footballers." For now, though, all thoughts are on triumphing here.