National Women's Team Receives Recognition - Oberdorf and the Olympics team: Unresolved queries from Hrubesch
Following their involvement in the European Championship, the German women's soccer squad isn't exactly planning a relaxing vacation. Just before the Olympics, key midfielder Lena Oberdorf suffered an injury that forced her out of a game in Poland.
"I'll have to wait," national coach Horst Hrubesch mentioned on ARD about Oberdorf's health condition. "I hope there's nothing severe." And what's more, the 3-1 in the qualifying match in Gdynia further revealed early-match issues and late-game weaknesses.
"Due to a painful strike on her left shin," as the DFB announced, Oberdorf was initially lying on the field during her 50th international game and first match as captain in the 37th minute. With the help of caretakers and crying, she was transferred off the field shortly after. The extent of the cost for this secure ticket to the EM remains uncertain and will be determined by an exam in Germany. Oberdorf transitioned from VfL Wolfsburg to join FC Bayern Munich and missed the first game at the World Cup last year as a result of a thigh injury.
Regardless, Oberdorf, who's absent for the next qualifying game against Iceland on July 12 due to her second yellow card, sat next to the bench once more. Oberdorf received the yellow card for the same foul that resulted in the shin injury. "Unbelievable," noted Hrubesch regarding the yellow. "You could actually see from the bench that the Pole truly stepped on her foot."
Hrubesch also voiced his annoyance with the failure to convert opportunities and collective tiredness after Dominika Grabowska's goal in the 12th minute: "We contributed to the goal that we got at the beginning," he explained.
DFB sports director Nia Künzer mixed her critique with positivity: "We intended not to trail early, but that didn't work out. However, it's actually a characteristic that marks the team - always coming back, never surrendering."
Especially with four wins in four qualifying games, including three comebacks after being behind and the tournament ticket for a competition in Switzerland in 2025 secured, it's about everyone taking a break and recovering for now. With "a certain fearlessness," they want to approach the final EM qualifying phase as a trial run for the Olympics.
The EM qualifying phase will serve as a practice for the Olympics
The next two matches, on July 12 in Iceland and on July 16 in Hanover against Austria, are part of this phase. For Hrubesch, the true intense period begins with the game against former 4th-placed Australia on July 25. Their other group opponents are record world champions United States (July 28) and Zambia (July 31). Since only two goalkeepers and 16 field players can be nominated, there may be potential disagreements in the roster.
"I'm limited to just 18," explained Hrubesch. "That's the big problem." The goalkeeper role also appears to be contested, with Merle Frohms being the clear number one, as well as compatibility for an Olympic spot with Berger and Johannes. Berlin was introduced to the national team against Poland, although she remained helpless in the goal when Poland scored and had minimal action throughout.
Hrubesch shared his thoughts on Johannes: "I have excellent goalkeepers." And generally, it's essential to note, "We're taking it game by game, the Olympics are still some distance away." Hrubesch suggests a break first: "The girls need to take a break now, so they can lift their legs, go on bike rides, swim, or do other activities and recuperate."
