Putting players on the spot

OVER the last few weeks, we’ve seen two aberrations. First, in the Under-17 European Championships in Slovenia, Germany lost a penalty shoot-out. Worse, they lost it to the Dutch — a country with a dreadful record from 12 yards.

Second, in the Champions League final last month, a seasoned German international in Bastien Schweinsteiger actually missed one. That only followed Lukas Podolski seeing one saved in normal time against Serbia in their 2010 World Cup match.

Quite simply, such sights would have been unthinkable over most of the last three decades. Because, throughout that time, the evidence suggests the Germans did perfect the art. Indeed, the stats say they did.

Between Uli Stielike’s miss in 1982 against France and the 2010 World Cup they had a 100% record in international tournaments.

But, really, simple physics inferred they should have. One of the oddest elements of penalty shoot-outs is that they are actually the only aspect of professional football that you can completely prepare for.

In theory, the top corners of every goal are physically unreachable for goalkeepers who are on the middle of their line. With proper, rigorous practice — and actually observing and perfecting technique — there is no reason why players can’t mechanically train themselves to hit those corners repeatedly. Incredibly, almost no one does.

There are suggestions, however, that this is exactly what the Germans did throughout the ’90s. You only have to look at the quality of their kicks throughout those tournaments — all placed, all powerful. Famously the German youth infrastructure was completely revamped in 2000. Almost all for the good. Is it possible, however, that they forgot to incorporate one of the true positives of the past?

Recent events would suggest so. If that is the case then, in Euro 2012, penalties may not exactly be a lottery but may be much more hostage to issues like fatigue, fitness and, of course, psychology and mentality. Because, as it is, almost no country properly prepares. The stories about ad hoc competitions after every training session are essentially irrelevant if no one is thoroughly surveying the quality and technique of the approach. If there is no set pattern or plan, then the perception of randomness — or “a lottery” — is only deepened.

Interestingly, the Portuguese are the only country to enjoy a perfect record in terms of victories. That, however, is offset by the fact they missed three of 12 — a fairly standard ratio — and that, in both shoot-outs, they were facing England. Here, the stereotypes do stand up. Only Croatia have an inferior record to the English. Ireland, meanwhile, enjoy a middling one. The kings so far though, are the Czech Republic. Their 100% record only follows that of the old Czechoslovakia (14 from 14, two shoot-outs won).

They may well meet the Germans in a quarter-final. If so, it might be Jogi Löw’s team hoping for the aberration.