Spain’s women have never won a European or World Cup title and have never played at the Olympics. They won their opening match at the European Championship against Finland 4-1, but have to do without world footballer Alexia Putellas (torn cruciate ligament) at the tournament. “They will challenge us very differently,” said defense chief Marina Hegering.
Opening success takes pressure off DFB-Elf
The success against Denmark took the pressure off the DFB team. So the players were able to enjoy their day off on Saturday, strolling relaxed through Brentford or other parts of London and of course also registered the hymns of praise and congratulations on all channels. “The fact that we are now being called the top favorites is not up to us, it’s up to you,” Hegering said with a smile to the journalists at the DFB press conference on Sunday.
“It was a really important win that gives security,” said Voss-Tecklenburg, but quickly referred to the 4-1 lead of the next opponent: “Spain showed today with this enormous possession of the ball, with many phases of this presence, at 34: 4 shots on goal, with three header goals, which they don’t usually do, they’re just a great team,” said the 54-year-old.
At their gala performance, the DFB women were already the favorites of the TV audience. 5.95 million people watched the first group game on ZDF and, according to the broadcaster, accounted for a market share of 25.9 percent. The live broadcast was the most successful television show of the day.
Huth: “We’re still at the very beginning”
“Of course it’s a nice sign in Europe now, also after Germany. I hope that the euphoria has taken over a bit,” said midfielder and goalscorer Lina Magull. Within 90 minutes, the DFB women had dispelled all doubts that had accumulated over the past three years since the World Cup quarter-finals in France.
As captain, Svenja Huth from Wolfsburg also warned: “With all the euphoria and joy – and I’m really, really proud of my team: We’re still at the very beginning.” Her club colleague Alexandra Popp, normally a regular captain and who scored a goal as a joker in her European Championship debut, sees the challenge against Spain as follows: “We can tackle the matter with a lot of self-confidence. I think we’ve also shown the opponents that we can be counted on.”