Bremen – No, it did not have a green and white paint, the German triumph at the U21 European Championship, not even a green and white blob was on the success of the team of national coach Stefan Kuntz. There was simply no SV Werder Bremen player in the German squad who had fought for the title at the beginning of June. But now the plans are already moving towards the Olympic Games in Japan, and the places in the team are being newly allocated. With new opportunities for the Bremen contenders?
“At the moment I can’t rule out anything,” explains Stefan Kuntz towards the DeichStube: “I have to wait the next few days before the first decisions are made.” A statement that can be interpreted as follows: Above all, the three talents of the SV Werder Bremenwho were part of the European champions’ extended squad in the run-up to the European Championship, can certainly hope to travel to Japan.
It refers to Manuel Mbom, Felix Ag and Johannes Eggesteinwho have long been in the focus of the successful coach Kuntz. This has the Werder trio on the list, as can be read from his recent statements in interviews. The coach’s motto: Since the Olympic tournament and the 2nd division start at the same time and the first division clubs prepare for the new season during this period, he wants to distribute the assignments relatively evenly and fairly across many clubs. “No club should be extremely burdened,” said Kuntz, who once stated that he only wanted to appoint two players from one club at a time. “Although this brand should not be set in stone either.”
Werder Bremen ex-star Max Kruse has a good chance of a place in the Olympic squad
Must be by the end of June Stefan Kuntz nominate an 18-person selection, with players born in 1997 and younger being eligible to play and, as before, three older players may be appointed. One of the “seniors” should Max Kruse be. The former Bremer expressed his hope on Instagram to “be part of the troupe”. Coach Kuntz confirmed Kruse’s interest with these words: “Max is really up for it.”
Other well-known players are under discussion – such as Maximilian Arnold (Wolfsburg) and Jonathan as further “old masters” for the youngsters, who will play the opening game against Brazil in Yokohama on July 22nd and will also face Saudi Arabia and the Ivory Coast in the group stage Tah (Leverkusen), Lars Stindl (Mönchengladbach) and Benjamin Henrichs (RB Leipzig). Even professionals like Julian Draxler (Paris St. Germain), Jerome Boateng (without a club) and Mario Götze (PSV Eindhoven), who are not nominated for the senior national team, are traded.
Werder Bremen pros at the Olympic Games? Stefan Kuntz “can’t rule anything out”
A man from Bremen should also belong to this elite group: Maximilian Eggestein, which in January a year ago was on the list of 50 candidates that the DFB had to report to the doping organization NADA. Back then was there too Davie Selke listed as one of the possible Japan drivers. Selke has had a disastrous season at Werder Bremen played, the older Eggestein was only marginally better in the Bundesliga. How his current chances of an appointment are to be assessed is open.
Stefan Kuntz, on the road as an expert for ARD during the current European Championship, plans to largely rely on the players who won the U21 European Championship in Slovenia and Hungary. But there are still question marks for the time being. Also with regard to the Bremen aspirants. Stefan Kuntz is currently not looking into the cards and repeats his statement: “I can’t rule out anything – even with the Bremen boys.” (Hgk)
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