DFB President Bernd Neuendorf does not want to give German footballers any specifications for how they will perform at the upcoming European Championships in England.
“I have always emphasized that I am not a president who says: You have to get so far,” said the 60-year-old of the German Press Agency. “I trust the coaching staff. I’ve seen the players and the motivation and I think the conditions are ideal.”
Neuendorf had visited the team of national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg in the preparation in Herzogenaurach. “For me it is crucial: Are you optimally prepared? Are there things that crunch or hook somewhere?” said the new DFB boss. “I don’t have that feeling at all. That’s the best prerequisite for doing very well. I trust them.”
The record European champions, who have won the European Championships eight times, will start the tournament on July 8 (9 p.m. / ZDF) against vice-European champions Denmark. Other preliminary round opponents are co-favorite Spain (July 12) and Finland (July 16). “I’m not someone who says the women have to get to the final or the semifinals, otherwise it’s a disappointment,” emphasized Neuendorf. However, DFB director Oliver Bierhoff had said a long time ago that the semi-finals of major tournaments were the goal for German teams.