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Get to know the chances of the German Women’s team at the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Overview
Germany's football self-image, which was lost for a short time, is back. After the quarter-final defeats at the 2017 European Championship and the 2019 World Cup, the Germans were no longer considered favourites – but that changed at Euro 2022.
However, there was trouble before this summer’s training camp after Bayern Munich released their five selected players three days later than previously agreed. Germany did not always convince in the warm-up matches either, as Martina Voss-Tecklenburg admitted. Nevertheless, the national coach is not worried – probably because the situation was similar before last summer’s European Championship. She says: “I’m still relatively relaxed because I have great confidence in our players.”
The German fans also have confidence; they got carried away during last year's Euros when they reached the final and so nearly won it. Almost 18 million watched the final on ARD – fewer people tuned in for the group stage matches of Germany’s men in Qatar last year. The team were aware of the euphoria they had sparked at the Euros, said captain Alexandra Popp. “And we are also aware that we have the pressure to at least confirm that at the World Cup.”
Voss-Tecklenburg will probably go for her preferred 4-3-3, although she says she wants the team to be able to adapt. She has proven that she can do what Hansi Flick is unable to do with the men: identify an XI that work well together. She decided against including the versatile Bayern player Giulia Gwinn, although the 24-year-old is already training again after her second cruciate ligament injury and was hoping to be fit in time for the World Cup.
The Germans’ goal? Firstly, topping what looks a winnable group. In the round of 16, they will most likely face a tough opponent: France or Brazil. Whoever they play it is a relief that the World Cup matches can be seen on television in Germany after all. Fifa wanted more money from the German television networks ARD and ZDF, who replied that they had already made their best and final offer. Before the deal was struck, the DFB president, Bernd Neuendorf, and the minister of the interior, Nancy Faeser, are said to have mediated to ensure it came to pass.
The coach
In one of her last matches as a player in 2003 Martina Voss-Tecklenburg scored an own goal in the 89th minute, to decide the German cup final. In her great career, in which she was twice Germany’s player of the year and four times a European champion, it was the first goal she had scored into her own net. Afterwards she said, “It’s better that it happened to me than to one of our young players.” That earned her a lot of sympathy, and she still has it, even as a coach. She was an expert for ZDF at the men’s World Cup in Qatar. After the quarter-final exit at the 2019 World Cup, many were sceptical, but since the European Championship in England, confidence in Voss-Tecklenburg, who is regarded as a great motivator, has never been greater.
Star player
Without doubt Alexandra Popp is the most popular player in the German squad. This is partly due to her sense of humour. And certainly because Popp – an honest worker – always makes the extra effort. But the 32-year-old’s footballing qualities should not be underestimated either. You often don’t know how she has scored the goals she does. Popp scored in every European Championship match until the final – in which she was crucially absent due to injury. Then she became the top scorer in the Bundesliga for the first time: “I would have gladly swapped the championship trophy with the goalscoring trophy,” she said afterwards. It is quite possible that Popp, the striker, will not play up front but in midfield, as she often does for Wolfsburg.
Rising star
Several young players have important roles in the German team: Lena Oberdorf, at 21, is one of the best midfielders in the world. Klara Bühl, also only 22, plays on the left wing. That’s where Jule Brand could also play. For many, Brand is Germany's greatest offensive talent. With great technique and dribbling ability there is no doubt she has special skills. We are really just waiting for her to make her big breakthrough. At 20, she still lacks consistency and determination; in the last Bundesliga season she scored only three goals. Maybe the World Cup will be her breakthrough moment.
Did you know?
Melanie Leupolz, who didn’t go to the European Championship last summer because she was pregnant, will take her baby son with her to Australia. A nanny will also be travelling with her, and a place for Leupolz and Leupolz junior to stay has already been chosen. “We will do everything possible to help Melli,” said Voss-Tecklenburg. “Many players are already looking forward to playing nanny.”
Standing of women’s football in Germany
For the first (of eight) European Championship titles in 1989, the DFB gave each player a coffee set. Part of it is still at home with Voss-Tecklenburg, who played up front in that team. The shaking of heads over the past is now used for marketing: the new main sponsor produces hoovers and kitchen appliances. Interest in the men’s national team is declining in Germany, while interest in the women’s football team is higher than ever. However, to some Bundesliga matches last season only a few hundred fans were in attendance. It will now be important to turn the hype from last year’s Euros into permanent interest.
Realistic aim at the World Cup?
Facing Colombia, Morocco and South Korea, Germany are the clear favourites, and they should win Group H. In the build-up the players and the coaching team are saying they feel they can win against anyone. However, Germany will probably meet Brazil or France in the round of 16 and they also know that a tournament can be over very quickly.
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