The “Hrubesch effect” is at work, the German footballers have preserved their Olympic chances with some trepidation.
Interim national coach Horst Hrubesch’s team won 2-0 (0-0) in Iceland, and four days after the 5-1 win against Wales, the emergency helper celebrated the next mandatory victory for Paris 2024.
Giulia Gwinn (65th) with a penalty kick and Klara Bühl (90th + 4) scored in frosty Reykjavik for the DFB team without the injured captain Alexandra Popp. Now the tiresome “MVT” issue has to be dealt with before the showdown against Denmark and the second leg in Wales at the beginning of December.
Goalscorer Giulia Gwinn admitted after the feat on the frozen pitch in Reykjavik: “It was quite a cramp.” Hrubesch still missed “cleverness and security”, Lena Lattwein said on the ZDF microphone: “We were still shaking at the end. But now we are overjoyed.”
Germany is still three points behind the flawless Danes in the Nations League (first leg 0-2). Only as group winner will the vice-European champion continue to play for an Olympic ticket.
A hit on the crossbar by Lea Schüller (4th) set the first German mark in the Laugardalsvöllur stadium. The DFB team took command straight away, but like against Wales there was a lack of precision and ideas in the first half. Crosses continued to sail into the Icelandic penalty area without success.
Drama about national coach Voss-Tecklenburg in the background
The 72-year-old Hrubesch made a total of three changes to his starting eleven. Sara Doorsoun replaced the injured Marina Hegering in central defense. Linda Dallmann and Lena Lattwein also started, whose long-range shot flew just over the goal (13th).
A cross from Svenja Huth hit the crossbar (32′), Hrubesch put his hands over his face in disbelief. The 4-0 win in the first leg in Bochum last month was supposed to give them courage, but the Icelanders led by captain Glodis Viggosdottir from FC Bayern put up much more resistance.
Hrubesch reacted and brought on Sjoeke Nüsken and Jule Brand after the break, but they also missed a good header chance (50th). But then Iceland’s goalkeeper Telma Ivarsdottir caught Schüller with her hand in the face in an aerial duel, and right-back Gwinn confidently converted the penalty. In the 85th minute, Ann-Kathrin Berger had to hold on to the shaky lead against Dilja Zomers in the German goal.
After the international matches, attention is again focused on the fuss surrounding the former national coach. The outstanding conversation in the dispute between Martina Voss-Tecklenburg (contract until 2025) and the DFB has now been terminated. After some irritation, the 55-year-old will probably not return to the sidelines.