EM 2022 – Germany’s strong tournament: That gives hope

The German team included eight women who were 23 or younger: Giulia Gwinn, Jule Brand, Sydney Lohmann, Nicole Anyomi, Lena Lattwein, Klara Bühl, Lena Oberdorf, Sophia Kleinherne. Three of them were even part of the starting eleven (Gwinn, Oberdorf, Bühl). Other regulars such as Merle Frohms (27), Felicitas Rauch (26), Lina Magull (27), Sara Däbritz (27) and Lea Schüller (24) are far from the end of their careers. Even the experienced team members like Alexandra Popp (31), Svenja Huth (31) and Marina Hegering (32) presented themselves in strong condition. That gives the fans of the German team hope for the World Cup next year.

The EM, which ended on Sunday, was supposed to take place in 2021. It was postponed to 2022 because of Corona. This ensures that there is only a year’s break before the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. And Germany has the qualification for it as good as certain. A win against Turkey or Bulgaria in early September would be enough to secure the ticket.

So far, no national player has indicated their retirement, so the squad could stay together. In addition, playmaker Dzsenifer Marozsán was injured. Actually, the 30-year-old is a force in the German team. There are also some promising talents in the Bundesliga: Camilla Küver (19 years old) from Eintracht Frankfurt is considered a player with great prospects for the defensive flanks. Lisanne Gräwe (19, Bayer Leverkusen) and Gia Corley (20, TSG Hoffenheim) have a lot of potential in midfield. Three examples of a talented generation that already has several names in the current A squad with Lena Oberdorf and Jule Brand.

All of this, coupled with the strong performance at the European Championships, should give national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg courage for the future. The 54-year-old indicated in an interview with “Sport Bild” that she would like to have many more years in office: “If I can continue to be a part of it, that would be a great gift and privilege. I think this one EM will help if we get together at the end of the year to discuss how to proceed.”

Joti Chatzialexiou, sporting director for national teams, said: “It’s good to hear that Martina sees her future as national coach. It was important for us to play this European Championship. We’ll talk to each other after the tournament.” The 46-year-old further said: “I would not like to go to a World Cup with the national coach’s expiring contract. There is no question: we will give the DFB Presidium the sporting recommendation to extend Martina’s contract!”

Voss-Tecklenburg will also have a clear goal in her new term: the reward mentioned by Svenja Huth.