The Danes complain – U21s beat their Czech counterparts

Germany coach Joachim Löw has come under fire from Denmark coach Morten Olsen after Löw released eight senior players from his squad ahead of the friendly tonight. The Danes were under the impression they would play against a full strength German team (allegedly promised to them by the DFB), and have their 1st XI lined up to play tonight. Olsen also noted that this their last game before their qualifying clash with Sweden.

Olsen said he was unhappy to learn of the player release from newspapers rather than the DFB, that he was now under pressure to release his own players from club managers and that it all smacked of a lack of respect. Danish players also insinuated that the first tier of German players were not proud to represent Germany.

So if the Danes lose tonight, cue gales of laughter from the world of German football.

Marcel Heller of Eintracht Frankfurt (yes!) scored the only goal of the game for the German U21 team vs the Czech U21s as the followed up the performance of the senior team with the same end result. The most eye catching performance, however, was that of new Schalke no. 1 Manuel Neuer, who produced a superb performance to keep the clean sheet for Germany. After the game, DFB-Sport Director Matthias Sammer was effusive in his praise for the entire team and the coach, Dieter Eilts, noting how much potential the team had and singling Neuer out in particular, saying he was already approaching world class.

The U21s begin their European Championship qualifying campaign in September in a group that includes Northern Ireland, Israel, Moldova and Luxembourg. They are undefeated so far in 2007.