Germany begin defense of U19 crown

Holders Germany are out to regain their U19 European Championship crown in Greece and buck the trend of disappointing performances from their compatriots this summer.

The U17 side lost to France in the European Championship final, while the U20 team lost to Mali at the quarterfinal stage of the World Cup in New Zealand. Meanwhile, Germany's star-studded U21 side went out on a damp note in the Czech Republic, losing 5-0 to Portugal in the semifinals of the European Championships.

The DFB's last chance of silverware this summer lies at the door of the U19 squad who will be tested in the group stages with matches against the Netherlands, Spain and Russia over the next week. Germany enters the compact eight-team tournament as favorites having won the tournament last summer in Hungary.

"The overall situation this year is completely different," said Marcus Sorg, the club's head coach who will be promoted to U21 boss after the 2016 Olympic Games. "Making the European Championships is great for the development of our players."

Timo Werner has already featured in more than 50 matches for Stuttgart in the Bundesliga, but will gain vital tournament experience with the U19 side. He is one of four top-flight regulars named in the 18-man squad - Schalke's Leroy Sane, Hoffenheim's Nadiem Amiri, but Timo Baumgartl is a last-minute drop out with injury.

Werner: 'I'm motivated'

"Last season wasn't easy for any of us," he told the DFB's official website when asked about coming off the back of a tough season at Stuttgart. "As a young player, it's something different because you lack the experience of such a situation. But overall, I'm delighted with the survival."

A lifelong Stuttgart fan, Werner has endured rough times in his early career - the Swabians only avoided relegation this season on the final matchday of the season. But disappointment in the colors of the national team at U17 level when Germany missed out on the 2013 European Championships has fueled his desire for success in Greece.

"I still remember well the European Championship qualifier with the U17s," he explained. "We only needed a draw in the final group game against Ukraine. We were the better team and had enough chances to score for three games, but the ball just simply didn't go in.

"Before the end, the Ukrainians then scored from a set piece to make it 1-0 - and we were out. That was a brutal experience, so I really want to do well next time. That's why I'm especially motivated for this European Championship."

While Germany and Greece are currently at loggerheads politically, the German side hasn't been on the receiving end of ill-feeling from the hosts. Head coach Sorg said political issues were part-and-parcel of the adventure when playing at a major tournament in another country.

"No matter how the vote goes," Werner said, "I wish the people here nothing but the best."