Last update images today Cooperative Education Programs Are Also Called
After T20 World Cup Euphoria, India Begin Quest For A New Generation Of Champions
By Fernando Kallas
STUTTGART, Germany, July 4 (Reuters) - Mental preparation and plenty of practice are the most important factors in taking a penalty, Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said as his team gear up for Friday's Euro 2024 quarter-final clash against Spain.
Both teams are heavy favourites and have provided some of the best football in the tournament so far and their clash could come down to a penalty shootout.
Gundogan, 33, said on Thursday that the pressure of taking a penalty is not something that can be replicated in training, but that it's still important to be mentally prepared.
"The key word for me is routine. When you step on to take a penalty, the pressure that exists in a game it's just different than it was in training and obviously to replicate is very, very difficult. I don't believe that you can replicate it in training," Gundogan told a press conference.
"You can train your routine. You can train how you want to approach a penalty. Your breathing, how you get calm... The most crucial thing is to get calm, how to get your heartbeat down.
"Just try to be cool and enjoy the moment of taking a penalty. Which is the most difficult thing because, otherwise anyone would score a penalty."
Gundogan is one of Germany's most experienced players and has taken almost 20 penalties in a successful career between clubs like Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City.
However, he believed anyone who stepped up to take a spot kick should be lauded for their bravery and that even some of the game's greatest players do not always score.
"Even the best takers in the world miss," Gundogan said.
"I automatically think about someone like Harry Kane who has a finishing that is unbelievable but I also remember him missing quite a few penalties.
"So it’s just the circumstances at the end of the day. I missed a lot of penalties in my career so far as well. At the end of the day you just try your best. Sometimes it gets rewarded and you can do it in a better way and sometimes not.
"I think to have the guts to step on, to take a penalty in crucial moments, to show respect for it, even when you miss because it is a situation that is extraordinary and it is very difficult to deal with." (Reporting by Fernando Kallas Editing by Christian Radnedge)
Page 1 Pict Featured Large ?t=1702932498000Een 38 Community Education Scheme 2024 300x251 Maxresdefault DOE Banner 2023 34993786852 Ef7baa734d O POM 2482 OC 2023 10 06T144644.682 Min Photo Jul 21 9 51 38 AM Coop 2 1152x1536 98a0e1 Fbd970019e3c44caa260ff4767443a89~mv2 12 Co Op Program 1050x675 D214 Community Education Guide Winter 2024 Final Page 01 Featured Image Cooperative Education Placement BC Moecc 1024x473 98a0e1 07f23e2439e64afa8606a258a050e7d1~mv2 Best 4 1024x684 651aeb7eb3cbb2ab4ef026f2 IMG 0445 11 Image Updated Ccec 2023 Elections Banner ?sfvrsn=fa998ef0 6Coop 2022 Student Pictures1024 2 ?ver=2022 12 12 093032 6602023 Cover Tacoma 4.4 1280x720 E1abadc39384f32c116354d53ad12f80 61445cc39dd81.r D.501 629 0 Screen Shot 2023 02 18 At 8.25.59 PM 20191015 161300 Day1 ?itok=JuUaLvlYEarly Learning And Care 2023 2023 Conference 5 1024x660 651aee0068763425bcec62b0 Untitled 1 P 1080 Co Op Award Banner 1133545016 6d02964c80 K IMG 1956 Cooperative Education Header