With European Championship euphoria behind them and double goal scorer Alexandra Popp: The German soccer players celebrated success in their first home appearance after the European Championship in front of a noisy crowd. In the repeat of the European Championship semifinals, the team of national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg beat France 2-1 (1-0) in front of 26,835 spectators in Dresden.
With her goals (44th, 48th), Popp ensured the victory of the runners-up European champions in the Rudolf Harbig Stadium, as they did in the European Championship duel against the French. Former Bayern player Viviane Asseyi (85th) scored the goal with a penalty kick. In July, DFB captain Popp shot Germany into the final against France (also 2-1) in England.
“We played a really good game. It was super fun to be able to play in front of this backdrop,” said Popp on “ARD”: “We want games in which we can push the limits, in which nuances decide .”
The anticipation of playing the first home game since the successful European Championship in front of a full ranks was great. “We’re happy, we feel the mood in the city,” the team gets “an incredible amount of support,” Voss-Tecklenburg said in advance.
Giulia Gwinn was not available at short notice, the 23-year-old from Bayern Munich suffered a knee injury in training on Wednesday. In addition, Voss-Tecklenburg had to do without the injured Sara Däbritz and Laura Freigang as well as Lina Magull (Corona). Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger was back in the squad after her renewed cancer therapy.
Frohms saves the DFB women
Both teams started the test match at high speed, and every successful move by Germany was loudly applauded by the fans. The French gradually got better into the game, however, and keeper Merle Frohms safely parried a shot from Delphine Cascarino (13′).
Germany initially struggled on the offensive against the French, who were defending in a concentrated manner. Linda Dallmann finally tried from the edge of the box, but the shot was blocked (29′). A little later, Popp finished in the penalty area, but chased the ball well over the goal (38′).
France kept creating good opportunities, but were initially unable to take advantage of them, and Frohms had to intervene several times. Popp headed in for Germany from a corner.
Immediately after the break it was again the 31-year-old who pushed the ball over the line. Again and again Germany pushed the French deep into their own half and pushed for the next goal.
For the national team, on their way to the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand (July 20 to August 20, 2023) there are two international matches next on November 11 and 13 against the world champions from the USA. The DFB women have already bought their ticket for the World Cup.