For Austria’s national soccer player Carina Wenninger, the quarter-finals of the European Championship against Germany is a very special game.
“Of course we’re all really looking forward to the game. Until a few days ago we kept our fingers crossed for Germany. Now it’s over with fingers crossed,” said the long-time FC Bayern defender, for whom Munich “has become a bit of a second home “.
Wenninger is playing her 120th international match on July 21 (9:00 p.m. CEST/ARD and DAZN) against the DFB women of all places. The 31-year-old has played for FC Bayern since 2017 and has won the German championship three times with the club. She was loaned to AS Roma by Bayern Munich for the new season.
Austria’s team boss Irene Fuhrmann can again rely on Katharina Naschenweng from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in the neighborhood duel, who has successfully completed all examinations after a compulsory Corona break. “She makes a good impression, is back in the squad and is an absolute option,” said Fuhrmann of the defender. Due to knee problems, it is unclear whether England professional Viktoria Schnaderbeck (formerly FC Bayern) can play.
“We meet a multiple European champion, world champion and an Olympic champion here,” said the 41-year-old carter to the German team. “They have hardly any weaknesses and a balanced squad. We need an absolute top performance.” The winner of the neighborhood duel will play the winner of the match between France and holders Netherlands on 27 July for a place in the final on 31 July at Wembley Stadium.