German hockey team is the four-time Olympics champions, including 1972 gold won by West Germany, and when their under-21 team will compete in the Hero Junior World Cup starting here from Friday, expectations won’t be any different.
Also, being the defending champions themselves, they have a reputation to match at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, the venue of the tournament.
But, coach Andre Henning does not feel any pressure as this team is completely different from the 2009 winners. “We are not under any kind of pressure. We are fully aware that we are the defending champions. But, this is a completely new team. We boast of a relatively younger team as compared to other countries. Five members of the team are from our U-18 group. Only two players have played for the national team. But we are a strong group who are very much looking forward to the tournament,” Henning said after his team’s practice session on Monday evening.
Germany are in Pool A with Pakistan (champions of the inaugural edition in 1979), Belgium and Egypt.
“This is the toughest pool, I reckon. Belgium are the U-21 European champion and they are quite a tough to side to beat. Pakistan are very good with brilliant counter-attack. Reaching quarters will be our first goal and we are not looking far ahead,” he said, besides naming the favourites for the title.
“India, Pakistan, Belgium, Australia and Netherlands are the strong teams and the ones to watch out for. We have watched the game of Indian team and have realised that they are a strong team. We understand that hockey is very big in India and many players for the senior team come out of this tournament. But we have studied the teams and will play our game accordingly on the day”.
The rise of Germany as hockey powerhouse since 1980s is most reasonably due to the success of their U-21 teams. They won four successive junior World Cups in 1982, 1985, 1989 and 1993. Apart from finishing as runners-up in the inaugural edition in 1979, they have two third-place finishes to be proud of.
The coach pointed out that like the national team, this team’s characteristics are also typical Germans.
“Germans are known for their discipline, tactical ability, athleticism and mental strength and I believe that members of this team have also got those qualities. Winning the title is not our main goal. We are here to see how these guys continue the development process and later become part of the national team and become successful.”
Henning also said that the players are excited to play under the eyes of legendary national team coach Markus Weise who will join the support staff from Thursday.
Talking about the system that has been successfully churning out good players, Henning said, “We don’t have many players to choose from like India. But, we have a good system which selects the talent at an early age. We pick a pool of 25 players and stick to them.”
Captain Roel Bovendeert said that he is proud to lead such a strong team and feels that the team has to be careful if it plays the hosts in front of the home supporters.