In a week, the German women’s national team is leaving for Australia to prepare for the World Cup. There should be a team spirit like at the EM 2022.
The nervousness among the DFB women is slowly increasing. 29 players are currently in Herzogenaurauch in the training camp for the World Cup, which will take place from July 20th to August 20th in Australia and New Zealand. But only 23 of them will make the final squad – although that doesn’t necessarily mean the World Cup dream will end for six players before they head down under on 11 July.
With more players to Australia?
“We’re still considering whether to add another player or two. It also depends on how fit the squad is when we nominate. When we might have injuries that cannot be classified as such“said assistant coach Britta Carlson on Tuesday (07/04/2023). “We haven’t made a final decision yet as to whether it will be just the 23 squad or 23 plus one or two.” At the last test match against Zambia (live on ARD and streamed on sportschau.de) before departure on Friday (July 7th, 2023) there will be another opportunity to present yourself.
First the squad, then the team spirit
After that it gets serious for the DFB women. At the latest when you arrive in Australia, the World Cup fever increases. There should be a similar success there a year after the final defeat at the European Championships against the host England – at best there should also be a victorious last step. And for that it is very important to create a similar atmosphere for EURO 2022.
“That team spirit never completely went away. The team still gets along well – and the last percent develops when you have the final roster together“Said Carlson. The assistant was confirmed by national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg in her view of Lena Lattwein. “The team spirit is still there, but it really crystallized after the first successes last year in England“said the VfL Wolfsburg player.
The goal: a tight-knit team for “Down Under”
But in the days before the big trip to the World Cup venue, the DFB women want to lay the foundation for forming a successful team as a well-knit team. “We try to use the free time to do team activities“said Lattwein, who cited poolside coffee or padel tennis as examples.
But she also revealed that an internal evening in a cozy get-together is scheduled for Wednesday (05.07.2023) – the players will be among themselves, as will the entire coaching staff. “You can gossip a bit, it never hurts. The trainers can do the same with us, that’s part of it and welds togethersaid Lattwein.In general, the atmosphere is really good. But you can tell that a few decisions still have to be made and that the tension is still there.“So the spirit of England has yet to emerge.