Schalkes U-19 footballers were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Rewe Junior Cup. This is how coach Norbert Elgert assesses his team’s performance.

The Rewe Junior Cup has come to an end for FC Schalke 04’s U-19 footballers after the quarter-finals, but coach Norbert Elgert was still delighted. “The organisers have once again succeeded in putting on a super tournament with their fellow campaigners and sponsors,” said the U-19 coach of the Königsblauen on knappenschmiede.de. “It was excellently organised and once again had a top line-up.”

After finishing their group of seven with five wins and a draw, the third-placed team in the Bundesliga’s West Division went on to beat Hannover 96 4-1 and 1 FC Union Berlin 3-1 in their group in the intermediate round. In the quarter-finals, Fulham FC, who finished second in their intermediate group behind Borussia Mönchengladbach, were waiting. The U19s suffered a 3-0 defeat in the quarter-finals.

Schalke coach Norbert Elgert: “We were equal against Fulham”.

“We were equal against Fulham, but didn’t take our chances,” said Norbert Elgert. “After the English took the lead, we had to accept two debatable time penalties. That is of course bitter when you have to play with three players against five in between. The opponent gets spaces, then it becomes difficult. Things like that happen quickly in the hall.”

And the conclusion of the 65-year-old football teacher was ultimately positive. “We were among the best eight in a tournament with 28 teams and represented our colours there very positively,” said Norbert Elgert. “Despite the absences due to illness, we showed a very strong tournament performance. It’s very positive that no player got injured over the weekend.”

Schalk’s most successful scorer in Göttingen was U-19 international striker Keke Topp, who scored nine times. Captain Mattes Hansen was successful eight times. Max Grüger and Kelsey Meisel scored five goals, while Niklas Barthel and Nicholas Engels scored four.

The matches of the Schalker U 19 in Göttingen at a glance:

Group stage: FC Gleichen – FC Schalke 04 0:7, FC Schalke 04 – JSG Weser/Solling 9:1, FC Schalke 04 – JSG Nörten 14:0, JFV 37 Göttingen – FC Schalke 04 0:6, Eintracht Braunschweig – FC Schalke 04 1:2, FC Schalke 04 – FC Brügge 0:0.

Intermediate round: Hannover 96 – FC Schalke 04 1:4, FC Schalke 04 – 1. FC Union Berlin 3:1.

Quarter-finals: FC Schalke 04 – FC Fulham 0:3.