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10 mai 2018
Germany, a successful year... without trophy
Less than a month before the start of the first edition of the Sud Ladies Cup, from 5th to 10th June, the four teams are trying to prepare in the best way. After a successful 2016-2017 season, Germany hope to confirm during the next weeks in Provence and the World Cup in August.
The assesment is almost perfect. Since a year, U19 and U20 Germany women's squads oftenly shined. But, despite good displays, they couldn't clinch any title, asthe U19 Euros in August 2017 or the U20 World Cup in November 2016
The U19 Euros started perfectly for Germans, after they successively beat Scotland (3-0), Spain (2-0) and Northern Ireland (6-0). Three wins in three games, eleven goals scored, zero conceded, and a first place of the group that qualified for the semi-finals and the U20 World Cup in France. Hard to do a better display. But their path suddenly stopped in semi-final. Against France, Germany saw their run stop, despite they scored the opener (1-2).
A painful loss, but not a reason to give up. After the Euros, Germans started well their qualifyers for the next European championship. With four wins in a row over Kosovo (3-0), Montenegro (8-0), Iceland (1-0) and Slovakia (8-0), they had their revenge and their ticket for the next edition of the competition.
Such a good sign for the U20 squad, which will be mostly made up with players who took part to these last games with U19 team. Maren Meinert, Germany's head coach, won't decline that, as the loss in quarter final against France (0-1) during U20 World Cup was hard to forget.
World champion on 2014, Germany have a title to recapture in August. But before that, the next aim is the Sud Ladies Cup, in June. The perfect preparation before a promising and exciting World Cup.
Mathieu Lauricella
Credits photo : Getty Images
