Meinert aims high from the start

By Andreas Alf

There is still one mission to complete. Despite going on to win the 2004 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship, Germany were shocked in the final of last year's UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship by Spain.

Sky the limit
In the eyes of new national coach Maren Meinert, her side can only compensate this failure with a success this month in Hungary. But for the midfielder, who experienced European and world glory as a player, the sky is the limit.

Ambitious goal
The 31-year-old knows that she is under pressure after having taken over from the senior European champions' new coach Silvia Neid just three weeks ago, after a long reign. However, she says her goal is the same: "We want to win the trophy."

'Individual quality'
Meinert has good reasons to believe in the strengths of her squad. Ten of Germany’s players have already experienced last year’s global tournament in Thailand and will be ready to guide the side through the EURO as key players. "We can count on high individual quality," the coach said. "There are a lot of players in my squad that can decide a game with just one inspirational moment."

Promising forwards
Forward Simone Laudehr from UEFA Women's Cup winners 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam and midfielder Célia Okoyino da Mbabi from SC 07 Bad Neuenahr are the ones to watch. The 17-year-old Okoyino da Mbabi had even been a candidate for the senior EURO squad and only missed the campaign in England last month because of an injury.

'Attacking football'
Therefore, it is not too astonishing that Germany's tactical formation will once again be an attacking one, having a year ago set a new record for goals in any UEFA final tournament. "Every German national side plays attacking football," Meinert said. "That is where we have got our major qualities. We plan to play with three forwards and we will try to pressure our opponents on the wings."

Opening win
Her philosophy already paid off in her side's last friendly three weeks ago against Norway. Germany won 5-0 and to give their new coach a successful debut. She said: "First of all, we still must get used to each other. However, I was very satisfied with the match and the result, which gave us even more self-confidence."

Respect for Hungary
But the world champions still show much respect for Group A rivals Finland, Switzerland and, first of all, the hosts. "Hungary have worked for the last three years just for the opener against us," Meinert warned. "I am absolutely convinced that they will be prepared perfectly. Being on home soil, they will be very difficult to play."

Leading contenders
However, Meinert believes Germany’s biggest rivals are in the other pool. "England have improved a lot lately, France have always been very strong and Russia caused a lot of trouble for us when we beat them 3-2 in a recent friendly," she said. "Whatever side we have to play, we will need to perform at our highest level."

Committed to victory
After disappointments for the last two years in a competition Germany had previously won three years in a row, victory is paramount. "It is a commitment for us," Meinert said.