FIH Junior World Cup: German might vs Spanish courage

Chennai: Method to the madness: a mantra that Germany's under-21 boys' hockey team faithfully adheres to. It is evident in the way they carry themselves - at practice, during warm-up, in an intense on-field game and even at post-match interactions. 

There is an unmistakable clarity in every step they take towards their collective goal that is perhaps chalked down on the white board in bold letters reading: 'Trophy or nothing'. 

So it comes as no surprise that the world No. 1 team and defending champions Germany are one step away from lifting a whopping eighth title at the FIH Junior World Cup when they take on Spain in the final at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday.

Except a closely-fought quarterfinal contest against a gung-ho France, the Germans have cruised past opponents with authority -- including the semifinal against India where the hosts were dismantled 5-1. 

Since the beginning of the tournament, co-hosted by Madurai and Chennai, the Paul Glander-led side have displayed a playing style that's structured and disciplined. To command the proceedings and demand the opponents to play catch-up with such effortless ease takes work. What kind of preparation does it take to put together a group of young champions? 

"In our team, everyone has a job off the pitch," head coach Mirko Stenzel told DH.

"It can range from being responsible for the balls, training material and equipment or taking a physio assistant's role. And in the beginning it didn't really work that well with some of the players. And over the year, you know, they understood why all this extra things are expected of them. It's important in order for us to find good balance with structure and training and periodisation," offered 35-year-old Stenzel who shares coaching duties with 37-year-old Johannes Schmitz.

Right! The method to the madness begins by focussing on the little details. And keeping a close watch on the little details with a hope to break into the mighty German fort are the world No. 4 Spaniards. 

The finallists have played each other twice earlier this year in Berlin. Both games going Germany's way with 3-2 and 2-1 scorelines.

"I think, that the match is well balanced," felt Oriol Puig Torras, Spain's head coach ahead of the title round.

"Maybe, maybe the emotional part, it's 60-40 for Germany because their last match against India was top match and it wasn't our best performance against Argentina. But this a different day, different match. We are ready," added Torras. 

The French came agonisingly close (where goalkeeper Jasper Ditzer starred in the penalty shootout) and the rest have mostly failed against the well-rounded Germans. And the reply to a query about their strategy for the final is also as well-guarded as their exploits have been at the event so far.   

"So yeah, very happy with the way we developed within the tournament so far. And now, hopefully, we take another final step towards winning the whole world Cup," said coach Stenzel.