On the way to the 2023 World Cup, the German soccer women do not want to let anything burn in the last qualifying games. The mood is good, the EM euphoria is still palpable.
The starting position: one win is enough
After the European Championship is before the World Cup: The German women’s national soccer team has to play in the World Cup qualifier on Saturday (September 3rd, 2022) in Turkey (2.45 p.m. / ZDF) and on Tuesday of next week in Bulgaria (6.30 p.m. / ARD One ) compete.
Before the final two World Cup qualifiers, Germany lead Group H by three points over Serbia. There are seven wins in eight games. Only in Serbia was there a 2:3 defeat in April. A win in both games is enough for the team to secure a ticket to next year’s finals in Australia and New Zealand (20 July to 20 August). Only the first in the table qualifies directly for the tournament, the second has to go to the playoffs.
The first legs were a clear thing. At home against Bulgaria, the German team celebrated a 7-0 victory, against Turkey it was even 8-0 in the end. Against this background, qualifying for the World Cup only seems a matter of form. “It feels like the final of the European Championships was just yesterday. But there are new tasks to be tackled again. We have to and want to face this situation. We’re looking ahead, the anticipation is already back.”said national coach Voss-Tecklenburg: “We have the clear goal of completing qualifying with two wins and putting in convincing performances on the pitch.”
The mood: anticipation and 2,000 fans during training
The team can tackle both games in high spirits. Around 2,000 fans came to the Frankfurt stadium at Brentanobad on Tuesday to celebrate the German soccer players at their first public training session after the European Championship. “You can feel that it wasn’t just a summer fairy tale, but has a lasting effect”, said Voss-Tecklenburg, who became European Vice Champion with her team at the tournament in England. Captain Alexandra Popp was also enthusiastic about the good atmosphere at the home of Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt. “It’s great to see the scenery here”said the goalscorer.
With the training, a month after the unfortunate final defeat in London (1:2 after extra time), the players wanted to say thank you for the support during the finals. “Unfortunately, since we can’t play a home game at our first meeting after the European Championship, we would like to at least offer training that is open to our fans.”said Voss-Tecklenburg: “It’s also a way for us to say thank you for the great support during the European Championship and the Kick off starting the new season together.”
The squad: Oberdorf also has to fit
19 vice European champions are in the squad. The injured Giulia Gwinn and Marina Hegering as well as the substitute goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, who has cancer again, are missing. Young star Lena Oberdorf is also not there. She was supposed to join the team later because of a flu infection, but she has to pass now. Martina Voss-Tecklenburg nominated Oberdorf, the best young player at the European Championships and third in the vote for Europe’s footballer of the year Fabienne Dongus from TSG Hoffenheim.
The news: New assistant and new jerseys
Voss-Tecklenburg has a new assistant. Former U19 coach Michael Urbansky joins the women’s coaching team. “He will enrich us with his expertise, his great personality, the way he thinks and lives football and his fresh and innovative perspective.”said Voss-Tecklenburg about the 41-year-old Urbansky, who is currently acquiring the Pro license from the German Football Association (DFB): “He’s a guy who fits in well with us.” For Joti Chatzialexiou, the sporting director of the national teams, Urbansky was the “absolutely desirable candidate”.
The previous assistants Thomas Nörenberg and Patrik Grolimund have vacated their posts at their own request. Assistant Britta Carlson, goalkeeping coach Michael Fuchs and ex-professional Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker, who is responsible for neuroathletics, are still on the staff.
In addition, the women will wear a new jersey. The uniform jersey design for women and men should be a further signal for more gender equality.
The outlook: Against France in October
After qualifying for the World Cup, there is a friendly game against a top-class opponent. The German team meets France on October 7th at prime time at 8.30 p.m. in Dresden. The game can be seen live on the first.
At the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, 32 teams will start for the first time. At the 2019 World Cup in France, the German team lost to Sweden in the quarterfinals (1:2). The team from the USA won the title.