Soccer - DFB U17 world champions after penalty drama - Heide hero again
Germany's U17 footballers have completed their World Cup fairytale with the title after a dramatic penalty shoot-out.
Goalkeeper Konstantin Heide saved twice in the nail-biting thriller against France, while another attempt went over the goal in the final madness. After two German misses, Dortmund's Almugera Kabar redeemed the German Football Association with the first World Cup triumph in this age group with the 4:3 penalty shoot-out.
"We are European and world champions," said coach Christian Wück. "I'm incredibly proud to be able to coach this team."
In the rematch of the European Championship final in Surakarta, the game became increasingly tense at 2-2 after 90 minutes following goals from Dortmund's Paris Brunner (29th minute/foul penalty) and Barça player Noah Darvich (51st) after Saimon Bouabré (53rd) conceded - especially when Winners Osawe (69th) was shown a yellow card. After Mathis Amougou made it 2:2 (85'), the German team saved themselves with their last ounce of strength for the penalty shoot-out. There the soccer madness took its course.
Bastien Meupiyou failed to beat Heide and Nhoa Sangui hit the top of the crossbar. On the German side, Eric da Silva Moreira and Brunner failed to score. When the penalty shoot-out also went into extra time, Heide was too strong for Tidiam Gomis.
Unbeaten at the European Championships and World Cup
No defeat at the European Championships, unbeaten at this World Cup in Indonesia - a hopeful DFB generation crowned their exciting story with an exuberantly celebrated success at the Manahan Stadium. National coach Christian Wück's side put in a passionate performance against the Grande Nation and were once again able to rely on their individual talents. For the first time, a European champion also celebrated as world champion.
"I told the boys they'd make themselves immortal. It's an incredible feeling of happiness," said Wück on RTL after the last game the team played together in this constellation.
Relying on Brunner once again
As with his winning goal against Spain in the quarter-finals and his great performance in the penalty thriller against Argentina in the semi-finals, Brunner could be relied upon to score again. He confidently converted a penalty given after a long video review. After Darvich made it 2:0, his colleagues threw themselves at the goalscorer with the feeling of having won the World Cup. France hit back almost immediately and made Germany suffer for a long time.
During the World Cup days in South East Asia, Brunner's team impressed with individual class, team unity and the "German virtues" that their coach likes to refer to. After dismal performances by the senior national team, the teenagers enchanted Germany on their way to the final - and even more so there at 26 degrees and 90 percent humidity. 11,000 kilometers away from home, the youngsters were carried away in the style of a tournament team.
In the first German final in this category since 1985, when the game was still played with U16 teams, the team led by captain Darvich from FC Barcelona took the initiative right from the start. Brunner & Co. had the better moments offensively in the first half, while defensively they defended resolutely in front of penalty hero Heide. The SpVgg Unterhaching keeper was once again preferred to regular goalkeeper Max Schmitt (FC Bayern), who had been ill recently and was not yet fully fit. Heide saved brilliantly time and time again - and he enjoyed his specialty of penalty kicks by the book.
Match picks up even more pace after the break
FIFA President Gianni Infantino listened to the two-minute video review by referee Espen Eskås in the stadium before the 1-0 scoreline. The referee announced a penalty for Germany after a tricky scene. Bilal Yalcinkaya from Hamburger SV had been brought down by Aymen Sadi, and possible offside positions also had to be checked. Brunner, who was honored as the best player of the year this year, took responsibility. The BVB super talent, who was recently suspended from the club due to an incident, converted safely. Later, his luck ran out.
The final picked up even more pace after the break. After goals from both teams, Leipzig's Osawe was shown a yellow card (69'). In contrast to the clear superiority of the German team in the first half, France now applied a lot of pressure and pushed more and more for the next goal. As against Argentina, a thriller ensued - and once again Germany impressed with their nerves of steel.
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Source: www.stern.de
