After the botched dress rehearsal, the German soccer players start their World Cup mission from Frankfurt Airport on Tuesday.
On Tuesday at 10:20 p.m., the German women’s soccer team will start their title mission with Flight 048 from Terminal 2 of Frankfurt Airport. The first stage to Dubai takes just under six and a half hours, from there it goes on to the goal of all World Cup dreams “down under”.
Leupolz with child plus babysitter
In the days after the botched dress rehearsal against Zambia (2: 3) on Friday, captain Alexandra Popp and her colleagues were able to collect themselves again at home – but with the relaxation it is a few days before the start of the finals in Australia and New Zealand (July 20 to August 20) over. “Recharge your batteries with the family, enjoy again, then take off”Popp described her plan for the last few days off before things got serious: “It must be clear to us that we have to give 100 percent against everyone, we must not underestimate any opponent.”
But not only sporting thoughts go along on the journey towards the German base camp Wyong – around 90 kilometers north of Sydney. Finally, on Tuesday evening, a team that also represents modern society will board the plane. Melanie Leupolz goes on board with her child and babysitter, and Svenja Huth has to say goodbye to her heavily pregnant wife before departure.
The endgame remains the goal
“It’s going to be tough. Of course, as an athlete, you hope to be gone for as long as possible.”reveals Huth: “But on the other hand you are a family man. Knowing that the woman is sitting at home pregnant – that will be something else again. But there is still some air between the World Cup final and the due date.”
After all, the final is still the goal – despite the shock against Zambia, including Carolin Simon’s loss of the World Cup (torn cruciate ligament) and the two-time world champion’s overall poor performance in recent months. After participating in the final at the European Championships last year, the hoped-for further development has not materialized so far. The fact that the fans already fear the next German football embarrassment leaves Popp cold: “I’m not worried. We still have a few days.”
Minge is traveling too
The first World Cup game against Morocco is on July 24th, followed by further matches in the preliminary round with Colombia (July 30th) and South Korea (August 3rd). 23 players are in the squad of national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, Janina Minge (SC Freiburg) travels to the hotel as a backup candidate to be on the safe side. Finally, clearer Lena Oberdorf (thigh) and defense chief Marina Hegering (foot) are injured.
Lots of work to do in Australia
“We will now use the time in Australia to swear in as best we can for our upcoming tasks.”said Voss-Tecklenburg looking ahead to the coming days, in which the German selection still has a lot to do.
But in contrast to the games, the start of the World Cup adventure can be overslept for the time being. “Definitely watch films, some will definitely do something for the university or play cards together”said Lea Schüller regarding the long flights: “And then sleep, of course – a total of ten hours is already desired.”