Germany team guide
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Article summary
Germany failed to qualify last summer but their qualifying form suggests a record-extending fifth title could be imminent.
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Germany's record of four titles in this competition remains unsurpassed and though they have gone three seasons without a trophy, opponents in Israel beware: the two previous occasions they had a three-year break from the podium, they promptly triumphed.
Unlike those prior spells, Germany failed even to get to the finals in 2012 and 2014, yet the manner in which they qualified this year was highly impressive. A talented team, well-marshalled by Rebecca Knaak, won three out of three and scored an average of six goals a game.
"I am very satisfied with the outcome," said coach Maren Meinert, whose side profited from an own goal in each of their qualifiers. "Obviously there are some aspects we will have to work on in order to improve, but our defence was very solid once again."
Route to finals
Qualifying round: bye
Elite round: 6-0 Scotland, 9-0 Ukraine, 3-1 Belgium
Top scorers: Laura Freigang (5)
Key players
Rebecca Knaak (defender, Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Lea Schüller (midfielder, SGS Essen), Nina Ehegötz (forward, FSV Gütersloh 2009), Laura Freigang (forward, TSV Schott Mainz)
Coach: Maren Meinert
Date of birth: 05/08/1973
Playing career: FC Rumeln-Kaldenhausen, FFC Brauweiler Pulheim, FCR 2001 Duisburg, Boston Breakers, Germany
Coaching career: Germany women's U19s, Germany women's U20s
One of the greatest female players ever, Meinert stepped up from her role of assistant when Silvia Neid was appointed coach of Germany's all-conquering senior team in 2004. She has guided the side to three titles since and steered Germany to FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup success in 2010 and 2014.
Meinert scored 33 goals in 92 internationals and won three UEFA European Women's Championships and the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup – netting the equaliser in the 2-1 final triumph over Sweden. Meinert lifted domestic honours with Duisburg prior to a move to Boston, where she was voted the WUSA's Most Valuable Player in 2003.
UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship record
2013/14: did not qualify
2012/13: semi-finals
2011/12: did not qualify
2010/11: winners
2009/10: semi-finals
2008/09: group stage
2007/08: semi-finals
2006/07: winners
2005/06: winners
2004/05: semi-finals
2003/04: runners-up
2002/03: group stage
2001/02: winners
Honours in other UEFA women's competitions
UEFA European Women's Championship
Winners: 1989, 1991, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2013
UEFA European Women's Under-18 Championship
Winners: 2000, 2001
Runners-up: 1999
UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship
Winners: 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014