In 2018 it was over in the quarter-finals, this time it should be different: The German women fight against New Zealand for the ticket to the World Cup semi-finals.
The dream of precious metal is alive, but Anne Schröder still pushes this thought a long way away. Sure, “the longing to hold a medal in our hands again is huge,” said the national hockey player. But it is still no more than a “long-term goal” at the World Cup. First of all, you have to get through the quarterfinals.
Because that was the last stop at the 2018 World Cup. On Tuesday (5:00 p.m.) the selection of the German Hockey Association will start again and the full focus will be on the game against New Zealand. “If you try to eliminate all eventualities, I think there’s a greater chance that we’ll win,” emphasized Schröder.
In the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen in the Netherlands, a strong defensive performance should contribute to the success, as in the second round against South Africa (1-0) and in the group phase. Even if national coach Valentin Altenburg believes that against the still undefeated New Zealanders compared to the world number 17. from South Africa will “certainly be much more difficult”, “because we can expect greater qualitative resistance”.
Germany takes a detour via the intermediate round
Captain Nike Lorenz and Hanna Granitzki, among others, could help again in an unfamiliar role. Both are “excellent and trained defenders,” said Altenburg. However, hockey has “become a counter-attack” and that’s why “they can help us a lot in the offensive line to achieve and also use the defensive order”.
Both Lorenz, who scored the winning goal against South Africa, and Granitzki are “emotional players who play with a lot of heart”. In the storm row you need this “emotionality, impulsiveness and willingness to go where it hurts,” explained Altenburg.
In contrast to New Zealand, who had qualified directly for the quarter-finals as group winners, Germany, as group runners-up, had to take the detour via the crossover match against South Africa. However, that was “certainly an advantage for us personally as a team,” emphasized Altenburg. Every game is good for the development of the team.
“Far Goal” medal almost within reach
The hockey women can probably do without a similarly close result. The DHB team had numerous opportunities against South Africa, but there were no goals. Lorenz finally redeemed her team after the tenth penalty corner.
But before the quarter-finals, the team will not be “racking their brains about how we can make our 19 chances to score,” said Schröder, adding with a smile: “First of all, we would like to get half of them back.”
However, the 27-year-old is “convinced that we can score again against New Zealand”. This will also be necessary in order to keep our sights set firmly on the “long-term goal” of medals.