It’s the last chance for an Olympic ticket: Germany needs a win in the game for third place in the Nations League. The opponent: the Netherlands.
The German women’s national team wants to fight for a medal at the Olympic Games this summer. But the team around captain Alexandra Popp still has to take the final step. In the game for third place in the Nations League, a win against the Netherlands is needed. Otherwise the DFB team’s Olympic dream will finally collapse.
The pressure on the German team before the landmark game is enormous. The team missed the chance to book their ticket to Paris in the semifinals of the Nations League against France, who had already qualified. Six months after the disastrous exit in the preliminary round of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, missing the Olympic Games is the next low blow.
“To put it bluntly, we’re already used to it. Every game is fraught with pressure,” said Popp on Tuesday at the press conference before the game against the Netherlands. But the DFB team believes in their chance and wants to throw everything into the balance against their neighbors. The team “just wants to get it on the record, we have to get it on the record,” said Popp.
Follow the all-important game for the DFB women against the Netherlands here in the live ticker.
Germany – Netherlands 0-0
11th minute – There would have been more. Bühl is sent steeply to the left, places the ball in the middle, but misses two teammates with her pass. Otherwise that would have been a great opportunity.
7th minute – For the first time things are getting really tricky in the German penalty area. Casparij crosses into the box, Beerensteyn comes to the header. Frohms comes out of the box in a somewhat unorthodox manner and punches the ball high into the air. The home team gets another opportunity. Kaptein finishes from a distance. Hendrich deflects the shot into a corner, which Frohms punches out again and thus clears up the situation. Breathe.
5th minute – Luckily, Gwinn losing the ball in midfield had no consequences for the DFB team. Of course something like that shouldn’t happen. The Dutch almost got into a good counterattack situation. Gwinn immediately apologizes.
4th minute – Germany tries to take command straight away and plays around the penalty area. Linder’s cross ball from the center finds no takers anywhere.
2nd minute – There is a free kick for the German team from the half field. Bühl prepares the ball, but the Bayern player pulls the ball past friend and foe into the goal. Goal kick.
1st minute – Kick-off. Let’s start in Heerenveen. The ball is rolling.
8:43 p.m. – Alex Popp and the Dutch captain Spitse meet to choose sides. Germany will toast. By the way, the referee is Stéphanie Frappart, who also officiated at the 2022 Men’s World Cup.
8:40 p.m. – The teams arrive. The Abe Lenstra Stadium is packed. It won’t be an easy evening for the DFB women. Because the majority of the fans in Heerenveen will be pushing the Dutch forward.
8:33 p.m. – There are also exciting statements from DFB President Bernd Neuendorf in the ZDF interview. The association is prepared for any scenario regarding the coaching question. “We did our homework,” said the 62-year-old. Moderator Sven Voss asks whether there has already been a signature from a new trainer. Neuendorf: “I won’t reveal that now. But we won’t be surprised, no matter what situation happens.” The decision will be announced soon.
8:27 p.m. – National coach Horst Hrubesch is looking forward to the game, even though it could be his last appearance as national coach. “This is another highlight that I would like to take with me,” he said on ZDF. The direction for the game is clear: “We have a match plan. We want to win this game,” said the coach.
8:07 p.m. – The Dutch are making a change to their lineup compared to the last game. But it has it all. Top star Miedema is missing from “Oranje” due to injury. The striker has already left the national team and returned to her club Arsenal. Wieke Kaptein, who is just 18 years old, is in the starting eleven for them.