It’s not just the MVT question that causes uncertainty: in the middle of the crisis, captain Alexandra Popp is leaving her future in the DFB team open. Only a win against Iceland could calm the situation.
Resignation? In the middle of the crisis? And the Olympic qualification? Alexandra Popp doesn’t feel like making a commitment right now. “I haven’t made the decision yet,” the captain said last week, almost casually, about her future in the national team.
After the World Cup debacle, she didn’t think about saying goodbye for “just one” minute. It’s not completely ruled out that the explosive Nations League game in Bochum against Iceland on Tuesday (6:15 p.m./ZDF) could be Popp’s 133rd and last international game, because: “Everything that comes after that will be seen.”
The leader, of all people, is causing another big question mark for the unsettled vice-European champions. The grueling uncertainty surrounding the future of national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, who is missing due to illness, is already having a noticeable impact on the struggling DFB team.
Even after her dream European Championships last year, Popp hesitated for a long time to give her firm commitment to the World Cup in Australia. She finally became a star with six tournament goals in England, and since then the Footballer of the Year has been inundated with requests from the media and sponsors. The top scorer (66 international goals) repeatedly referred to her “gut feeling” on which her future in the national team depends.
DFB team wants to win “dirty” if necessary
As is well known, the World Cup mission went wrong, even if Popp scored four goals in the preliminary round elimination. The Summer Games next year would certainly be a tempting goal for the 2016 Olympic champion, whose contract with VfL Wolfsburg runs until 2025. But the false start against Denmark (0-2) last Friday leaves the DFB team trembling – they have to win the group in the first step, otherwise the dream of Paris is over.
Because there are only two European tickets up for grabs. Depending on the performance of the automatically qualified host France, this will probably require a place in the Nations League final. And in the current situation that seems miles away for the German selection.
Against the general uncertainty, a home game like this, especially in the Ruhrstadion not far from Popp’s hometown of Gevelsberg, is basically just what was needed. Over 14,000 tickets have been sold. “It’s clear that we definitely have to win the game,” said Popp.
In case of doubt, it is legitimate to win “even dirty,” said national goalkeeper Merle Frohms: “We want to show an appropriate reaction on the pitch. Then it is of secondary importance how, but simply a win counts.”
The Icelanders, led by Bayern Munich captain Glodis Viggosdottir in defence, won their opener against Wales 1-0, meaning Germany are currently bottom of the group. “Iceland is a nation that comes above all through passion and will,” warned winger Klara Bühl, only the classic virtues will help: “We have to stand up, win the duels, be present from the start and dominate the game.”
Sounds like Alexandra Popp’s taste.