Austria with its many Bundesliga players is really not an unknown team for Martina Voss-Tecklenburg and Co. The respect for the quarter-final opponent is great – but also the confidence.
Austria is one of the surprises at this European Championship and seamlessly follows on from the strong tournament five years ago. And just like in the Netherlands, the Austrians know how to celebrate their victories properly. Party in the dressing room and storming of the press conferences after the game included.
The videos are well known through social media. When asked about the party-mad next opponent, German defender Sara Doorsoun remained cool: “It’s not who can celebrate better that decides who can celebrate better. But one thing is for sure: we can celebrate too.”
Germany has shown it and the others
And it’s not as if Germany did even a touch worse at the tournament. After the preliminary round, the team of trainer Martina Voss-Tecklenburg is mentioned everywhere as one of the favourites. Sports show expert Nia Künzer said in her preliminary round conclusion: “The players have shown themselves, but also the public, what they can do. Recently, the impression had arisen that Germany was no longer one of the top favorites. But they corrected that .”
Dallmann: “It will be very, very exciting”
The quarter-final duel among neighbors is also one among friends. Because many Austrians are currently playing or used to play in the Bundesliga. “The girls are no strangers. I’m really looking forward to the duel. It’s going to be very, very exciting,” said Linda Dallmann.
The Austrians play a bit with their outsider role, but at the same time feel underestimated and are extremely motivated.
15 players in the squad are under contract in Germany. Four alone at Eintracht Frankfurt. “Of course we congratulated each other after the victories. But we want to put a spoke in their wheel now,” emphasized Laura Freigang, who, like the Austrians Verena Hanshaw, Virginia Kirchberger, Barbara Dunst and Laura Feiersinger, is at home on the Main.
Relaxation at the start of the week, then high tension
The German team took it a little easier in the heat of London over the past few days. Monday was free, a larger group went for a bike ride in the city, went for a coffee together and went for a walk. “It’s nice to see that we as a team can’t get enough of each other even on a day off,” said Felicitas Rauch before training on Tuesday morning.
Even on the day off, we as a team can’t get enough of each other.
That should be “short and sweet”, announced assistant coach Britta Carlson. However, only a handful of players took part in the planned boat tour on the Thames in the afternoon with temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius. The rest preferred to stay in the hotel. In the evening there was a downpour – the conditions for the final training session and also for the game (around 20 degrees Celsius) should be good.
In the knockout round everyone starts again from scratch
From Wednesday (07/20/2022) at the latest, the full concentration applies to Austria. Germany is confident in the duel: “We are aware that we have a good chance of progressing if we bring our qualities to the pitch,” said Rauch, knowing: “9-0 goals in the preliminary round speak for themselves. But Now the knockout phase begins, what was doesn’t help us anymore. We have to deliver the same again.”
Voss-Tecklenburg emphasized: “It won’t be easy. The eight best teams in Europe are in the quarter-finals – and Austria is one of them.” Künzer is also convinced of this. “I’m expecting a close game,” said the 2003 world champion. “The Austrians play a bit with their outsider role, but at the same time feel underestimated and are extremely motivated. I’m curious to see if they can keep their motivation in check or if turn them over.”
Carlson: “Austria just as mentality monster as we are”
After analyzing the win against Finland, the German team should work on the accuracy of the flanks. Just like occupying the dangerous zone in front of the goal. Especially since that, along with the defensive (only the one goal against England), is one of the great strengths of Team Austria: “Austria is just as mental a monster as we are. We know what’s coming. The team crosses from many positions and tries to do that immediately to score and it’s dangerous with set pieces too,” warned Carlson.
After corona infection: Schüller probably as a joker
The team has to be patient against the Austrians, who are likely to be deep, and always look for the way to the baseline. “Poppi and Schüller, when she’s fit again, you can play blindly on her head, they do nine out of ten things. And it was also great that Sophe (Editor’s note: Sophia Kleinherne) showed up in the box and held out her pear,” said Rauch, laughing.
Lea Schüller should at least be an alternative from the bank after surviving the corona infection. And even if their team-mates always had their jerseys with them when celebrating victories, the German party should be a bit more exuberant if the win against Austria works out. Because one thing is certain, freely adapted from Sara Doorsoun: whoever celebrates last celebrates best.
Possible formation against Austria
Frohms – Gwinn, Hendrich, Hegering, Rauch – Magull, Oberdorf, Däbritz – Huth, Popp, Bühl