GERMANY: WE DON’T NEED TO PRACTISE PENS
COCKY Germany have not practised penalties for today’s Euro Under-21 semi-final clash with England – who have been rehearsing them for weeks.
Stefan Kuntz, the U-21 coach, has taken an amazingly relaxed approach to a possible
shootout. The young Lions held a penalties dress rehearsal in a behind-closed-doors match with Iceland before the tournament, and also practise after training. However, Germany have done no extra preparation. And Kuntz said: “No, we won’t train for penalties. The circumstances of running for 120 minutes and the pressure of the situation – you can’t create it. “It makes no sense.” England coach Aidy Boothroyd has taken a different approach with keeper Jordan Pickford (above) analysing rivals’ penalty-kicks among other preparations. Boothroyd said: “History suggests Germany don’t need to practise! “It is difficult to recreate the fatigue. But we’ll practise and have done since May.”