Germany’s most valuable keeper
© Imago
U21 international Noah Atubolu (23) is not a fan of the rule introduced at the EM, which is supposed to prevent the keeper’s time game. “Standing now I don’t think the rule was so good,” said the Freiburg keeper, the market value of which has recently been raised to 18 million euros – it is Germany’s most valuable goalkeeper. “That affects because I am someone who takes a lot of time.”
The new rule stipulates that the referee of the opposing team gives a corner kick when a goalkeeper holds the ball for more than eight seconds. So far, an indirect free kick has been imposed if the ball was held for more than six seconds. In practice, however, there were practically no free kicks.
“I have to get used to it a bit because it is just new and because it is a bit hustle and bustle, I think all the game brings to the team”, it’s “brutally fast”. The referee must visibly count the last five seconds before the goalkeeper has to release the ball. If the goalkeeper is pressed or hindered during the countdown, the referee stops the countdown and imposes an indirect free kick in favor of the goalkeeper.
“The good thing is that the referee then counts down, i.e. three seconds in the head, and then show the five by hand,” said Atubolu. This is also important for the field players because they “have to offer themselves again immediately”. The European Football Union UEFA had published the regular introduction shortly before the tournament start. According to the DFB, the participants had already been informed in advance. The rule keepers of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) had decided on the rule at their annual conference in Belfast in early March.
Atubolu: Woltemade “incredibly important”-Röhl return open
Atubolu was a safe backing of his selection in the 3-0 win of the German U21 national team for the European Championship start against Slovenia. The player of the game was the Stuttgart Nick Woltemade (23) with three goals. “It is incredibly important for us,” emphasized Atubolu about the attacker, who belongs to the top 10 most valuable player in the tournament.
It continues for the U21 selection on Sunday (9:00 p.m./Sat.1) in Dunajska Streda in the southeast of Bratislava with the game against the Czech Republic. The Czechs had lost 1: 3 against defending champion England at the start. It is open when the Freiburg Merlin Röhl (22) can take part again. The midfielder was injured on the ankle. National coach Antonio di Salvo is optimistic that he will still be used at the European Championship.