Wück is "very reluctant" to give up his World Cup heroes
The U17 world champions are back from Indonesia after their triumph. There is a big reception on the DFB campus in Frankfurt am Main. After winning the title, the team celebrates itself and its "unbelievable mentality" - and reveals nothing about the World Cup party.
With the silver trophy in his hands and the gold medals proudly around his neck, captain Noah Darvich and all the other acclaimed World Cup heroes took to the stage at the DFB Campus in Frankfurt after their sensational coup. The newly crowned U17 world champions were celebrated on their return to Germany to the applause of numerous employees, friends and families. "We are proud of you!" was emblazoned in huge letters in the background.
On Saturday, DFB coach Christian Wück's team had set the Manahan Stadium in Surakarta alight after their historic title win over France in the final - but the DFB team kept the wildness of the World Cup party to themselves. "What happens in Indonesia, stays in Indonesia," said Paris Brunner and laughed.
However, the Borussia Dortmund striker and his team-mates did not get much sleep after the thriller against France and the hour-long flight home, as successful coach Wück revealed. Even if he himself had preferred bed to the big party: "I wasn't there at all," said the 50-year-old: "The boys should let off steam and enjoy the whole thing." The decisive factor for him: "Everyone was back on time for the bus departure."
"The joy will be even greater"
On the long journey from Indonesia back to Frankfurt, Wück and his players at least had some time to process the sensational triumph despite the "lack of sleep". "We're slowly realizing it," emphasized the coach. "But I think the joy will grow even greater over the next few days. It's something unique that we've achieved."
In a dramatic final, the DFB juniors secured their first World Cup title in this age group. After a nerve-wracking 90 minutes and a lot of stoppage time, the score was 2:2 (1:0). Even DFB President Bernd Neuendorf watched the subsequent penalty thriller, which Wück's team won 4-3, "only standing up", "because it was so exciting". The U17s had written "a winter fairytale", said the 62-year-old: "They are great guys, we can indeed be very proud."
Cologne's Fayssal Harchaoui was more explicit: "The World Cup was simply over the top. You could see what a great team we are." An opinion with which the midfielder was not alone. David Odogu from VfL Wolfsburg raved about the "unbelievable mentality" of his team, and Eric da Silva Moreira from FC St. Pauli struggled for words: "I've never experienced what the team is all about," said the defender: "You can't even describe this cohesion, this team spirit."
Wück still has to say goodbye to the world champions
Wück is also "very reluctant" to give up his sensational team: "It was an extraordinary time, because we developed in a way that culminated in this World Cup title". Now he is hoping for the next step in the development of his protégés. This must come from the players themselves, but must also be made possible in the clubs, he emphasized.
The clubs must "find ways and means to give them playing time at the highest level", said Wück. This is a "bottleneck", in Germany there is "enough talent, but at the moment we are not able to give them playing time in the transitional area". In any case, Wück is "so proud" of his players' progress so far. What will be his last words to the team? "I can't say right now, that will happen spontaneously."
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The victorious U17 World Cup team, led by captain Noah Darvich and other World Cup heroes, received a grand welcome back at the DFB Campus in Frankfurt. As part of the celebration, they expressed their pride in their "unbelievable mentality" and their first-place finish at the World Championships under DFB coach Christian Wück.
In line with their success, DFB Juniors secured their first World Cup title in the U17 age group, beating France in a thrilling final and winning the subsequent penalty shootout 4-3. DFB president Bernd Neuendorf and many other team members praised the team for their exceptional teamwork and cohesion, which they believed was a "unique achievement."
Source: www.ntv.de
