The plans for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand are in full swing for the German women’s soccer team. Now the first training camp and the first test match are coming up.
After the European Championship is before the World Cup: Martina Voss-Tecklenburg has had a lot to do in the past few weeks and months. The coach of the German women’s soccer team is planning the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand (July 20 to August 20) with her team.
Voss-Tecklenburg: “We have a very good feeling”
“It’s all very challenging, but we’re happy to accept it”, says Voss-Tecklenburg. The team hotel near Sydney is booked, the distances to the training ground and the airport are short. “We have a very good feeling about the choice of hotel”explains the national coach.
At the World Cup, two-time world champion Germany meets Morocco (July 24th/Melbourne), Colombia (July 30th/Sydney) and South Korea (August 3rd/Brisbane) in the group phase.
World Cup preparation: Training camp in Marbella
But now the sporting preparation begins. In mid-February, the Vice European Champions travel to the training camp in Marbella (February 14th to 19th). “We are very happy to see each other again. It will be a very exciting year”, says Voss-Teckleburg: “We have the best conditions there and want to get off to a good start in the new year.” There will also be a friendly against Ireland in Marbella – closed to the public.
There are only twelve months between the European Championships in England and the World Cup. That could be an advantage for the German team. “We have created a very good basis at the European Championship”, also says Voss-Tecklenburg.
Five returnees in the DFB women’s squad
She starts the World Cup year with five returnees. Sara Daebritz (Olympique Lyon), Marina Hegering, Tabea Waßmuth (both VfL Wolfsburg), Sydney Lohmann and Lea Schüller (both Bayern Munich) are back in the 27-man squad after injuries.
Debutante Ena Mahmutovic (19/MSV Duisburg) was hired as a goalkeeper alongside regulars Merle Frohms (VfL Wolfsburg) and Ann-Katrin Berger (FC Chelsea) appointed. “We always want to give young goalkeepers the chance to show themselves in our circle”, said Voss-Tecklenburg. The most experienced force is captain Alexandra Popp (31), who is about to make her 125th international match. Dzsenifer Marozsan (Olympique Lyon) and Melanie Leupolz (FC Chelsea) are still missing.
Alexandra Popp (2nd from right) cheers with her teammates. She and four other German players were honored as part of the best World Cup team.
International match in Duisburg against Sweden
After returning from Marbella, Voss-Tecklenburg’s hometown of Duisburg will host an international match against Sweden on February 21. The Scandinavians are currently third in the FIFA world rankings behind the German selection. The national coach is happy that it is against a top-class team and announces that she wants to test against other top international opponents before the World Cup.
“I can’t say who we’re playing against yet, negotiations are ongoing,” she explains. She is hoping for many spectators in Duisburg: “It’s Carnival Tuesday. That’s why everyone from the Shrove Monday procession should go through and then come straight to the stadium.” More than 14,000 tickets have already been sold.
In addition, Voss-Tecklenburg is in negotiations to extend his contract with the DFB. That could be fixed before the start of the World Cup. “We’re talking”says the 55-year-old, who had previously announced that she would like to remain national coach.
The German squad for the international match against Sweden
Goal: Ann-Katrin Berger (FC Chelsea), Merle Frohms (VfL Wolfsburg), Ena Mahmutovic (MSV Duisburg)
Defense: Sara Doorsoun (Eintracht Frankfurt), Jana Feldkamp (TSG Hoffenheim), Marina Hegering, Kathrin Hendrich (both VfL Wolfsburg), Sophia Kleinherne (Eintracht Frankfurt), Paulina Krumbiegel (TSG Hoffenheim), Sjoeke Nüsken (Eintracht Frankfurt), Felicitas Rauch (VfL Wolfsburg), Carolin Simon (Bayern Munich)
Midfield/Attack: Nicole Anyomi (Eintracht Frankfurt), Jule Brand (VfL Wolfsburg), Klara Bühl (Bayern Munich), Sara Däbritz (Olympique Lyon), Linda Dallmann (Bayern Munich), Laura Freigang (Eintracht Frankfurt), Chantal Hagel (TSG Hoffenheim), Svenja Huth, Lena Lattwein (both VfL Wolfsburg), Sydney Lohmann, Lina Magull (both Bayern Munich), Lena Oberdorf, Alexandra Popp (both VfL Wolfsburg), Lea Schüller (Bayern Munich), Tabea Waßmuth (VfL Wolfsburg)