The end of the World Cup was disappointing, and the German women’s team had a disastrous start to the qualifying games for the Olympics. Those involved seem perplexed.
Alexandra Popp shuffled the few meters from the arena in Viborg to the team hotel in flip flops and with a grumpy expression. The DFB Women’s captain’s frustration was enormous on Friday evening (September 22nd, 2023) in the small Danish town.
“It hurts extremely, especially because it could have been prevented,” said the 32-year-old on the ARD microphone after the 0:2 (0:1) defeat against the by no means outstanding, but at least somewhat organized hosts.
Bühl, Magull, Oberdorf – where is the form?
The restart after the botched World Cup has come to nothing and the pressure in the Olympic qualification is immediately high. It seems puzzling how weak former leaders like Klara Bühl, Lina Magull, Lena Oberdorf or defenders like Felicitas Rauch appear these days.
It wasn’t just in terms of play and tactics that the German women once again didn’t seem to be on equal terms. Physical deficits also became apparent. The Germans didn’t seem fit. Only captain Popp, Sidney Lohmann and goalkeeper Merle Frohms were able to perform somewhat well in Denmark.
Safety thinking as a flaw
The interim coach has an idea how things could get better: “We still didn’t shoot enough. We always have to give up responsibility, another cross pass“, complained the 45-year-old after the 2-0 defeat on Friday evening. Too often you take the first contact with the ball backwards, that is “We still lack the security mindset. We still lack this self-confidence to think forward boldly.”
“Not an easy situation”
With the “everything around” be it “not an easy situation“, admitted defense chief Marina Hegering openly. “We all have to pull together now” said Kathrin Hendrich.
Preferably directly in the duel with Iceland on Tuesday in Bochum (6.15 p.m./ZDF). Popp and Co. have to win the game with all their might in order to get out of the negative vortex – and not squander the dream of Paris. In the Nations League, the two European tickets for the 2024 Olympics are at stake, and winning the group is a must.
The Olympic Games are receding into the distance
After the first of six match days in Nations League Group 3 of League A, the German team is in fourth and last place. Only the group winner advances to the final round and thus has the chance to take part in the Olympic Games in Paris next year.
What happens to “MVT”?
After the upcoming game, for which Hendrich had a “reaction“, the top management of the association should then have to clarify the future of Martina Voss-Tecklenburg by the end of October. The national coach, who has come under criticism, is on sick leave and will miss the September international matches, her work on the botched World Cup is still not complete, the future of “MVT” remains open.
Britta Carlson, who was reluctantly moved to the front row in the absence of her previous boss, is hoping for the impasse to end as quickly as possible. “I would like clarity for everyone“, said the 45-year-old: “Whether it’s for the coaching staff, for the team. Because I simply want us, Germany, to become as strong again as it was before.“