Juliane Wirtz made no secret of her disappointment. “It’s just bitter and hurts like hell.” Her team had just suffered a bitter 4-3 defeat on penalties against Potsdam, and the dream of entering the DFB Cup final for the first time had burst. The 20-year-old had tears in her eyes, but her brother Florian comforted her.
He’s actually the little brother. But while the 18-year-old has already completed four senior international matches and played 14 times in the European Cup with Bayer Leverkusen, the two-year-old sister had just lost the biggest game of her football career in the most unfortunate and bitter way imaginable. “It is a very nice feeling that he was there“said Juliane Wirtz after the bitter bankruptcy. The currently injured brother had watched the game in the stands: “This is a sibling connection. He takes me in his arms and listens to me. He’s a great support.”
Despite the disappointment, the Bayer team was proud to leave the field. The Rhineland women offered the favorite a big fight and were close to the surprise. “I’m really proud of my team“, coach Achim Feifel praised his players after the game. “We can leave the pitch with our heads held high, we played at eye level. In the end, that little bit of luck was missing” said the coach.
Bayer had led 1-0 in the game and 2-0 on penalties, but the dream of the first final remained unfulfilled. “I don’t even know what to say or I’ll start crying“said Juliane Wirtz on “Sky”: “We were so close. But I’m damn proud of us girls.”