Final thriller in the penalty shootout
Germany is shaking its way to its first U17 World Cup title
December 2, 2023, 3:22 p.m
Coach Christian Wück’s team is making history: the DFB Juniors are the first German U17 soccer team to win the World Cup title. In the final against France they gave up a 2-0 lead and were outnumbered for a long time. The decision will only be made in the penalty shootout.
Germany’s U17 footballers completed their World Cup fairytale with the title after a dramatic penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Konstantin Heide made two saves in the nerve-wracking thriller against France, and 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 a 4-3 penalty shootout. “We are European and world champions,” said coach Christian Wück. “I’m incredibly proud to be able to coach this team.”
In the new edition of the European Championship final in Surakarta, it was 2-2 after 90 minutes after goals from Dortmund’s Paris Brunner (29th minute/foul penalty) and from Barça player Noah Darvich (51st) with a goal conceded by Saimon Bouabré (53rd minute). .) increasingly exciting – especially when outnumbered after yellow-red for winner Osawe (69th). After Mathis Amougou made it 2-2 (85th), the German team used their last strength to save themselves in the penalty shootout. That’s where the football madness began.
Bastien Meupiyou was denied by Heide and Nhoa Sangui hit the top of the crossbar. On the German side, Eric da Silva Moreira and Brunner failed. When the penalty shootout went into extra time, Heide was too strong for Tidiam Gomis.
“You make yourself immortal”
No defeat at the European Championships, undefeated at this World Cup in Indonesia – a hopeful DFB generation crowned its exciting story with the exuberantly celebrated success at the Manahan Stadium. National coach Christian Wück’s selection demonstrated a passionate performance against the Grande Nation and was once again able to rely on individual talent. For the first time, a European champion also celebrated as world champion. “I told the boys that they are making themselves immortal. It’s an incredible feeling of happiness,” said Wück on RTL after the last game the team played together in this constellation.
As with his winning goal against Spain in the quarter-finals and his great appearance in the penalty thriller against Argentina in the semi-finals, Brunner could once again be relied upon to threaten to score. He certainly converted a penalty given after a long video study. After Darvich made it 2-0, his colleagues threw themselves at the goalscorer with the feeling of winning the World Cup. France struck back almost immediately and made Germany suffer for a long time.
During the World Cup days in Southeast Asia, Brunner’s team impressed with individual class, team unity and the “German virtues” that their coach likes to mention. After a dreary performance by the senior national team, the teenagers delighted Germany’s football team on the way to the final – even more so at 26 degrees and a humidity of 90 percent. 11,000 kilometers from home, the youngsters took part in the style of a tournament team.
Brunner first with, then without luck
In the first German final in this category since 1985, when U16 teams were still played, the team led by captain Darvich from FC Barcelona took the initiative from the start. Brunner & Co. had the better moments offensively in the first half of the game, but defensively they defended resolutely from penalty hero Heide. The SpVgg Unterhaching keeper was once again given preference over regular goalkeeper Max Schmitt (FC Bayern), who was recently ill and not yet fully fit again. Heide made brilliant saves again and again – and he really enjoyed his special discipline of penalty shootouts.
Before the 1-0 score, FIFA President Gianni Infantino listened in the stadium circle to what the two-minute video study by referee Espen Eskås had revealed. Penalty for Germany, the referee announced after a tricky scene. Bilal Yalcinkaya from Hamburger SV was brought down by Aymen Sadi, and possible offside positions also had to be checked. Brunner, who was honored this year as the best player of the year, took responsibility. The BVB super talent, who was recently suspended at the club due to an incident, certainly converted. Later his luck also ran out.
After the break, the final picked up even more momentum. After both teams scored, Osawe from Leipzig received a yellow-red card (69th). In contrast to the clear superiority of the German team in the first half, France now put a lot of pressure on and pushed more and more for the next goal. As against Argentina, a thriller developed – and again Germany impressed with their nerves.