analysis
Only two more games at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. ARD expert Nia Künzer dares to draw a first conclusion. What were the surprises? What are the trends? Who will win the final? And will Germany (together with Belgium and the Netherlands) get the 2027 World Cup?
Nia Künzer, the World Cup final between Spain and England is scheduled for Sunday in Sydney. In your opinion, did both teams rightly make it to the final?
Künzer: “Result football, result tournament. That’s why the two prevailed, but certainly not entirely undeservedly. Spain with a really playful top team and top performance and finally with the lucky punch to advance to the final. England just too an increase during the tournament, with a great mentality to put up with difficult situations, so – of course, deserved.”
Your tip for the final?
Künzer: “Totally difficult. That English team is resilient, who can be trusted with almost anything, even with this effectiveness or callousness, rip-off. However, if Spain can really implement these playful elements or ball possession football, tiki-taka, plus an enormously high chance creation … It’s a duel at eye level, hardly predictable.
It’s also a statement to have two European teams in the final.
It’s also a statement to have two European teams in the final. We also talked about the leagues. It’s probably no coincidence to see what is perhaps the boldest development in Spain and England in women’s football.”
For the first time, 32 teams took part in a World Cup. Have your expectations been met?
Künzer: “I didn’t sit down beforehand and say: That, that, that’s what I expect from the tournament. I was excited to see how the tournament turned out. And you have to say: You can talk about whether there have to be 32 teams, also the length of the tournament. Regardless of that, however, the teams that were new or were seen as outsiders presented themselves well. There weren’t any major drops in performance or teams. Hats off! You can see differences in the third group game, but not on the scale that some feared.”
What was the biggest surprise for you?
Künzer: “Well, the best surprise is that with Australia, the co-hosts, have come so far in the tournament, up to the semi-finals. That is of course very, very good for a tournament that presented itself great overall. It’s just a nice story, that they are now still playing for third place. And if you sat down together, a lot of stories would come to mind. Teams like South Africa, Jamaica come to mind spontaneously, who have surpassed themselves a bit. Morocco – great story. This WM writes really great stories.”
Have you noticed any trends at this World Cup?
Künzer: “I find it exciting that you always expect the outsider to be relatively deep. Many teams can now stand deep and defend well. But my impression was that it’s no longer just about being deep, it’s definitely courage and the belief is that they can do more than just defend in a compact manner.And in one or the other game the favorite was then surprised by high starts or very brave switching moments. I think it’s positive that you can no longer just assume: the favorites have possession of the ball and make the game, and the outsiders seek salvation in defence. No, they are brave and already aware of their abilities.”
For Germany it was already over after the group phase. What lessons should German football draw from this?
Künzer: “So a lot of people are now getting together and working through this whole tournament, from the time after the EM 2022 to the elimination. I think you really have to take a little time. I don’t think that per se Quality is missing or players don’t have the quality. But some things just didn’t fit together in this tournament. When you see England now, with what charisma, with what body language they cope with resistance and setbacks – that’s an aspect that is very important in the Football at this level.”
In two years, the European Championship will be in Switzerland, in 2027 we might also see World Cup games in Germany. What are the chances of a German co-application? The infrastructure – to be played in NRW – should fit…
Künzer: “It will probably not fail because of the infrastructure. But there is strong competition from the USA and Mexico as well as Brazil and South Africa. I am convinced that Germany will make a strong bid with Belgium and the Netherlands. But it will be very difficult.”