After the disappointment three years ago, Sjoeke Nüsken was at the European Championship this time. National coach Wück trusts the midfielder a leadership role.
When the German national team was in the final of the Football Championships in 2022, Sjoeke Nüsken was there. But not as she had imagined. After being removed from the squad shortly before the tournament, the DFB invited her to the game against England – as a spectator. “It was not so easy to see the games”she said In the ARD documentary “shooting stars”. “But in the final I was a fan Number one. “
Everything is different three years later. Nüsken is part of the German European Championship squad, her nomination was never in question. “To miss the euro in 2022 so narrowly was of course a huge disappointment. But being there is a big dream that comes true.” The 24-year-old is in the center with her overview and is accordingly confident. “I want to become a leader on the pitch.”
Triple winner with chelsea
This contract has also developed through the experience abroad. After four years in Frankfurt, Nüsken took the step to England in 2023 Chelsea And left her comfort zone. “It was just a gut feeling that said: dare.” She dared. And won that last season Triple – Championship, FA-Cup and league cup. When Nüsken lost her regular place for some time in spring, she fought back.
Sjoeke Nüsken was on the pitch last season in 36 competitive games for Chelsea.
But even during this time, national coach Christian Wück adhered to her. “That gives me a lot of security and is just good”she said in an interview with dfb.de. “Of course, my claim is to repay this trust and go on the lawn.” However, Nüsken’s role at Wück is a somewhat more defensive than in the club, where it is more used on the double zeo.
Thanks to the midfield partner Elisa Sense, who protects, Nüsken can also unfold offensive in the German team and put the colleagues in the limelight with strong passports. And so Wück also calls Nüsken when asked about possible leading characters for the tournament. “She is on a really good way there”according to the national coach. “Not only to give commands in a playful way, but also with their way.”
Tennis and men’s football as an apprenticeship
Nüsken once started, like many professional players, together with boys. “That shaped me a lot. This game intelligence that you have to develop so that you can keep up at a higher pace.” This experience as well as the time as a single athlete helped her: “I was a German master in tennis in the U9 and the U10”she said. “You were responsible for every mistake. That was mentally a challenge. But that strengthened me.”
And it gave her a lot of ball. “I don’t even know if it took a circus course somewhere, but it can juggle so well”DFB colleague Kathrin Hendrich recently reported. “It sometimes takes tennis balls and starts juggling. I don’t even know how many balls, felt at ten.”
Would also have become successful in tennis: Sjoeke Nüsekn
Gwinn: Nüsken understands the game
Her teammates appreciate Nüsken, who runs nine in midfield with the unusual number, but especially for their qualities on the pitch. Captain Giulia Gwinn can even imagine that Nüsken will later become a trainer. “Because she understands the game quite well. All midfielder are so conductors and have a good football intelligence.” In fact, Nüsken is a kind of conductor in the headquarters. Your announcements on the pitch have weight, even if she is more of a silent representative outside.
At the disappointing German appearance at the 2023 World Cup, she only got 45 minutes of play. At the Olympic Games last year she came up with a lot of time, now the native Westfall is burning to her European Championship premiere. “I hope that I will play an important role”she said. And in the best case, not to follow the European Championship final from the stands, but to stand on the pitch.