After the violation of Giulia Gwinn, Janina Minge is the new captain of the DFB women. The 26 -year -old defense chief continues her steep climb in the national team – who surprises no one.
“Giuli’s failure hits us enormously. This is totally bitter”said Minge immediately after the 2-0 opening success against Poland. The central defender had taken over the bandage in the 40 minute because of the captain’s injury. A burden? “The game was no different with bandage”said Minge and already stated in a sober manner in the mode of the leader with a view of the team: “In terms of performance, we all still have room for improvement.”
It is now clear that the trained police master – provided she stays fit – will remain the German captain. On the one hand, a steep climb of a player who was only there at the 2024 Olympics because Lena Oberdorf had to cancel injured. On the other hand, it is no longer surprising that Minge is now taking over the bandage.
Janina Minge took over the captain’s bandage at Gwinn’s replacement – and is expected to keep it for the rest of the tournament
Good mix: Minge is calm, but definitely
“We have a vice captain with Janni, who will fill out the role. She will take a step forward“, the experienced Linda Dallmann announced. In the role as a central defender “An outstanding job. And I know that it gives the team everything. That’s why I’m not worried that she is now leading the team.”
Janina leaves every energy on the pitch. It gives everything – and is simply a guy who goes beyond the borders. That makes her as a athlete and also as a person.
Sarai Linder not only knows Minge from the national team, but has already played with her in the DFB U-teams and at VfL Wolfsburg for a year.
She says: “Janni is a very calm. But if there is something with the team, she stands in front of the team and communicates with the coaching team and everyone else who have to reach the team”added Sarai Linder and was convinced: “You will be able to implement it very, very well.”
Steep career: “I couldn’t have dreamed better”
Minge worked up very quickly at the DFB. In Freiburg, where she became the international, she went patrol next year in addition to her career in the Bundesliga. After she had been nominated for the Olympic Games on the last trigger, she surprisingly completed all six games in Paris. So – under coach Horst Hrubesch still in midfield – she had her share in the bronze medal.
Under his successor Wück, too, she has been on the pitch in all eleven games from the start. In spring, the new national coach appointed her vice captain.
“I didn’t really have much experience before the Olympics. It was surprising for me that I played every game from the start. I couldn’t have dreamed that we won bronze better”the 26-year-old looked back in front of the European Championship and added: “It is of course very nice that things will continue under the new team of coaches and I’m very happy.”
Minges potential in the DFB recognized early
Until the Poland game, Wück had only used Gwinn and Minge in all games. Due to the violation of the regular captain, Minge now has a unique selling point in the contingent.
Janina is just a good footballer – and she feels more experience.
“I am always surprised that she doesn’t have that many caps yet”said assistant coach Maren Meinert during the European Championship preparation in Herzogenaurach. The long-time DFB trainer has also known Minge (22 A missions/one goal) for a long time. In the U-Teams, she saw early on that Minge had the potential to arrive at the top. Your big plus is your versatility.
Janina Minge has run through all U15 since the U15. She has been playing for the A national team since 2023.
Thumb also press with your old one National team
And someone else keeps fingers crossed. Holger Schwabe is the team leader at the German police national team and learned to appreciate Mening, who was exempted from the police service from the police service before moving to VfL Wolfsburg. Sporty: “This is a serious loss.” She has a very good eye and a lot of overview.
Janina is totally grounded and an absolute team player who never gives up.
But also human: “Janina performed totally grounded from the first day and was not at all high as a Bundesliga player.” Mining is easy “A good guy”. Schwabe sent greetings: “I wish her all the best in Switzerland and keep my fingers crossed for Janina. I really have a good feeling that the A national team also won the title.”
Also? Yes! Because Schwabe and Minges former teammates have recently defended their European Championship title. The German team prevailed 4: 1 in the final of the European Police Championship (EPM) against France. MINGE wants to add up – also for her injured captain Giulia Gwinn.