Queen Bee 0 Posted July 21, 2005 courtesy of speedwayworldtv... Coventry reserve Martin Smolinski will skipper the Germans in the forthcoming Speedway World Cup. Smolinski, 20 (pictured), leads a young German side comprising of Christian Hefenbrock, Rene Schafer, Thomas Stange and Mathias Schultz. The Germans, who qualified by winning the preliminary round in Italy, face the daunting task of pitting themselves against defending champions Sweden, former winners Australia and Poland in event two of the SWC at Eskilstuna in Sweden on Tuesday August 2. Smolinski admits: "It is going to be very tough for us but we will be giving it our best shot." Germany didn't qualify for the finals last year and finished bottom of their group at Holsted in Denmark in 2003 with 10 points. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
German Speedway Fan 0 Posted July 21, 2005 Our real young team (all riders under 21 years) just can learn, hope they do well and we see some surprises... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hazzman 72 Posted July 22, 2005 I think the Germans will be competitive but whether they trouble the scorers is the question. Young side could prove a great experience. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cornishman 18 Posted July 22, 2005 lets all fear that team then Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DartfordHammer 0 Posted July 25, 2005 No Egon Muller!? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg 123 Posted July 25, 2005 i hope to see tommy stange back in the kingslynn team real soon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 21,097 Posted July 25, 2005 (edited) No Egon Muller!? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> No,but if he was english he'd probably still be in the TeamGB going by the age of some :PCertainly in the Arena Essex side Edited July 25, 2005 by iris123 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bavarian 769 Posted July 30, 2005 well said, iris! England must take care to produce anything like the current generation of young German speedway riders. Germany will maybe not score more than 10 points or so against Sweden, Australia and Poland, but I would fancy their chances to finnish ahead of the Czech Republic or even GB if they, instead of Russia, were in the Swindon qualifyer. With a little bit more international experience behind them, our youngsters will be as good as any of the Danes, Swedes or Poles. And Britsh League promoters will (or actually already did) sign them for their teams. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grachan 7,365 Posted July 31, 2005 I shall be interested to see how my favourite German, Christian Hefenbrock, does in this. How's he been going lately, Iris? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 21,097 Posted July 31, 2005 Well Grachan,he did qualify for the World U21 final along with Smolinski and Stange.Matze just missed out and is reserve The only meeting i have seen him in recently was the Euro semi at Stralsund which from a German point of view is best forgetting.Christian,Matze and Mirko Wolter all had a poor meeting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris Brown 542 Posted July 31, 2005 I am certainly looking forward to seeing Schultz mixing it with these guys. I have seen him look very impressive on the continent and he clearly has a bright future Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 21,097 Posted July 31, 2005 Well Chris he hasn't been able to concentrate so much on speedway this year as i think he is finishing his apprenticeship. Had to cut back on commitments,but like you, think once he can fully concentrate and start doing overseas leagues as well then he is an exciting talent Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebrum 6,833 Posted July 31, 2005 will they score at all?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grachan 7,365 Posted August 1, 2005 Well Grachan,he did qualify for the World U21 final along with Smolinski and Stange.Matze just missed out and is reserve The only meeting i have seen him in recently was the Euro semi at Stralsund which from a German point of view is best forgetting.Christian,Matze and Mirko Wolter all had a poor meeting. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> In other words, doing ok but not quite fulfilling my predictions of World domination just yet! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
