Chapter 49

In the group stage screening, except for the group of death, there were no waves in the other qualifying teams. The strong ones advanced and the weak ones were eliminated.

"I didn't expect the Japanese team to advance to the group stage, but it's a pity that we couldn't be placed in the same group." Michael Bismarck has always been upset about his loss in the exhibition match.

Q.P's objective analysis: "According to this grouping, there's still a chance we'll meet in the semifinals, as long as we beat the French U-17s."

"Don't forget that the most troublesome player of Japan U-17 has not played yet. That guy has been causing unrest in the whole world since the last game." Polk recalled the time when Japan's Byodoin Phoenix blocked his way outside the stadium during the game.

Berti gestured as he looked at the groups on the table. "Never mind that if the Japanese U-17s actually play, it'll be the finals. Following this schedule, Germany will have to face a Big 4 team in the semifinals. If Bismarck's vice-captain wants revenge, they'll have to reach the semifinals and then face a Big 4 team."

"I'll think about it when the time comes." Schneider didn't want the vice-captain to focus so far, and pointed out the subsequent game progress of the German team.

The German U-17 team is in the same group as Spain, and there are basically no strong opponents. Unlike the French U-17 and Swiss U-17 teams, they will have to face a tough battle before entering the semi-finals.

The remaining middle school students sat scattered around, listening to the meeting without interrupting.

Head coach Can Retru praised the players' performance in the group stage. "With the group stage now over, we'll focus on the upcoming matches. Q&P will focus on gathering data on Big 4 teams. Prior to the semifinals, everything will remain the same, except for the change from one set to three. At the start of the semifinals, the order of matches will change from doubles first to alternating singles and doubles. Players will be assigned based on team strength. Germany is the strongest team, and no matter which player we send, we hope you return victorious."

"Understood, Coach Retru." Q.P. certainly understood what the coach meant. Any changes to the U-17 team's core players would have been widely rumored long ago. He was primarily collecting information on the potential variables of this match, just in case they encountered a monster like Berti and missed out on victory.

Having boosted morale, Kan Retru adjourned the meeting. Barring any significant changes, the schedule for the final four matches was finalized.

Sanada and Yukimura saw the roster, and their treatment finally caught up with that of singles players of the same level.

It can be seen from the game arrangement that Elmer Seyfried was abandoned by the coach in this game. Unless something unexpected happens, he will basically have no chance to play.

Yukimura looked at the match schedule: Germany vs. Denmark. "I'll go first in this match, Sanada."

"Good luck in the game, Yukimura." Sanada naturally also saw the subsequent schedule.

In the matches before the semi-finals, Sanada, Yukimura, Tezuka, and Frankensteiner took turns partnering with high school students in doubles matches. If there was a mistake in the match and one of the groups lost the game, it would be the high school student's turn to play third singles, followed by Elmer Seyfried, who would always play second singles before the semi-finals.

Sanada arranged for Yukimura to play in the Portugal match and partner with Q.P senior.

It should be said that Germany's arrangement is the most suitable way. Not only Germany, but the big4 teams are not much different. The players selected are all future seed players. They use the method of old and new to adapt to the arena and see a wider world.

Like the Japanese U-17 team, they directly let the players see the difficult mountains to climb without telling them the methods.

Let's just say the opponents at the World Championship showed no mercy, just like Japan U-17 player Akutsu Jin, who withdrew directly from the competition. The competition was so dangerous that Japan U17 replaced three junior high school players in the group stage.

However, Japan's U-17 roster also shows that most junior high school students are consumables, and only those with good luck and strong strength can continue to move forward.

There are also many teams that have a similar approach to Japan U-17, relying on arrangements for junior high school students to highlight the team's strengths and allow the team to move up a number of places.

The German U-17 team made great progress. Sanada, Yukimura, Tezuka and Frankensteiner performed well and partnered with high school students to win one victory after another.

He has also made his mark in international competitions and is an outstanding young tennis player in the world.

Germany's U-17 team secured a spot in the semifinals, leaving Spain, also in the Big Four, with two newcomers. One was the United States U-17 team, which broke through Switzerland's defense and will face Germany's next opponent. The other was Japan's U-17 team, which avenged their defeat to France in the previous tournament. A new semifinalist emerged.

"The Spanish team needs to keep an eye on Ryoma Echizen, who jumped from the US U-17 team. He's quite capable, capable of competing against high school players. There's also Romeo Fernandez, a well-known Spanish junior high school player. The US team's troublesome junior high school players have moved on to other teams, and Ryoma Echizen has returned to the Japanese U-17 team. It's likely that the junior high school players will be abandoned, and the focus will be on the high school players. You should all be familiar with most of the Japanese U-17 junior high school players, including Tezuka, Yukimura, and Sanada. They were your former teammates. The Japanese U-17 team will wait until the finals for a detailed analysis, and they'll eliminate quite a few options in the semifinals..."

Q.P and head coach Cam Retru took turns giving information about the Final Four.

It's a commonplace among high school students. The teams with the most names mentioned are the strong ones from each team and need to be paid special attention to. The Japanese U-17 and Spanish U-17 teams will be put aside for now, and the specific arrangements will be made before the finals...

Can Retru had already made up his mind before the semi-final match.

As the schedule and grouping went on, the German U-17 team was almost treated as a host country. After discussions with Q.P. and Polk, the German team's roster had already been finalized.

In the semi-finals, two new and old matchups attracted much attention: Germany vs. the United States and Japan vs. Spain.

The German U-17 team had already done an analysis and believed that the US team would try to prolong the game and ensure that three middle school students could play. If two strong middle school players left, there would be a high probability that two middle school students would be used and a game would be abandoned.

Germany has a pair of professional doubles teams that rely on high school students to decide the outcome, and the outcome is decided more based on multiple considerations and personal strength.

Alan Hopkins, the vice-captain of the U.S. U-17 team, and Michael Bismarck, the vice-captain of the German U-17 team, faced off against each other in a singles-three match.

Michael Bismarck's second-string team won the singles match 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, but it was a tough win. Alan Hopkins, worthy of his nickname "Tennis Doctor," couldn't let Michael Bismarck escape unscathed, so he naturally had to leave some minor issues.

Head coach Can Retru waved his hand. "Sanada, Yukimura. It's been a while since we played together since the group stage, right? Get ready."

"yes."

Yukimura turned his head and looked at Sanada. "Go ahead, there's a chance for a big fight."

"Okay." Sanada picked up the racket.

They both knew this was their last chance to play in the U-17 Cup. After at least two games, even in a close match, Sanada and Yukimura wouldn't have a chance to play if they had a choice.

Sanada and Yukimura's opponents are a team led by American U-17 senior player Dudu Obondu.

There is a special record of the new junior high school students, who are said to be reserve junior high school students who rushed over from the training base to provide emergency support.

Walking onto the field, Sanada moved his wrist and adjusted his condition.

Yukimura still chose the more difficult one in the doubles combination.

In the doubles competition, with the exception of vice-captain Bismarck, the seniors on the German team were very dedicated to their juniors. Yukimura had played against high school players from many countries and felt he could compete. With the permission of his seniors, Yukimura faced off against various strong players, and of course, he also showed his strength over his junior high school opponents.

He has experienced different playing styles and has been targeted by players from different countries, but with the help of his predecessors, the impact was not significant. Instead, it allowed Yukimura to become more comfortable in dealing with various ball paths.

Yukimura wasn't among the truly top high school players; they were stuck at the vice-captain and advisory levels. This time, he could experience the difference firsthand, competing against a truly internationally ranked player. Dudu Obondu was a well-known name among the high school students.

Sanada was equally prepared for the battle, not displaying his full potential in the finals. Sanada and Yukimura possessed completely different playing styles: Yukimura strived for improvement, while Sanada remained resolute in his response to his opponent, even managing to withstand sudden attacks from high school players from other teams. After the competition was divided into two groups, the other half naturally didn't slack off. With both players possessing superior skills to their opponents, victory was a natural outcome.

"The bet was right! The opponents are two junior high school students, and Dudu Obondu is even bigger." Don Pacino watched the game closely.

Rocky Melody said regretfully, "If Alan had won, he might have had a chance to advance to the finals."

"If it were a German junior high school student, maybe there'd be a chance. Don't forget Ryoma and Ryoma are both from Japan." Chico Valentin, a high-flyer, wasn't optimistic about this match, even though it was a teammate. Ryoma, who was close to Chico Valentin, had heard Echizen Ryoma talk about his junior high school matches. The junior high students who made it to the German U-17 team were all top opponents for Ryoma.

Clive Miller scratched his head. "They can't all be on the level of Long Ma and Long Ya."

Ralph Reinhardt did not express his opinion. If the two brothers Long Ya and Long Ma were still alive, Ralph Reinhardt would naturally have the courage to give it a try.

Having lost two strong junior high school students, no one knows the strength of the Echizen brothers better than Ralph Reinhardt. The junior high school students temporarily transferred in are of little use in the semi-final level competition.

In terms of lineup selection, Ralph Reinhart considered targeting a junior high school player, but the depth gap between the US U-17 and German U-17 squads remained significant. After careful consideration, Alan Hopkins was the most appropriate starter. It's likely that the German team wasn't bold enough to play a junior high school player in the first singles match.

Using Alan Hopkins to consume a German U-17 high school student is very cost-effective, don't expect to easily surpass the United States to win. After all, there is no wrong nickname, only wrong names.

Regardless of Alan Hopkins's win or loss, this semi-final would have been equally difficult. Fortunately, the long-standing grudge of the U.S. U-17 team was resolved, and they broke through the blockade of the big 4 teams and became the new top four team.

All subsequent matches were profitable. It was naturally nice to be able to personally fight against the philosopher who led to victory after a draw. Even if it couldn't deplete the German team's combat power, it was still good.