Popp to Hrubesch's wife: "Thank you Angelika"

Women's national team - Popp to Hrubesch's wife: "Thank you Angelika"

A casual remark comes easily to Alexandra Popp, and it was no different after the landmark victory against Denmark. She was asked after the 3:0 (2:0) win in Rostock whether she would like Horst Hrubsch to remain national coach of the German women's soccer team for longer. "Basically, I don't think we'd say no, but of course we know what makes his wife tick," said the captain with a laugh.

The DFB team had previously won the direct comparison against their main rivals Denmark, and almost as casually as Popp chatted afterwards about interim national coach Hrubesch. Mrs. Hrubesch had "turned a blind eye" once again, said Popp with a grin: "So thank you Angelika for having him here."

In addition to the striker, a whole host of other national team players thanked their coach, who had evidently restored a healthy lightness of touch, self-confidence and playing strength to the team.

A third win in three games with Hrubesch

In addition to Popp (14th minute), Marina Hegering (26th) and Klara Bühl (90.+3) scored in front of 19,180 spectators in the sold-out Ostseestadion in Hrubesch's third win in the third game. "You could see from the start that we were well in the game, that we were in it and that somehow nothing broke down at the back," said Popp. Hrubesch simply gave the team "a very, very good feeling" and confidence "across the board", she added. "So not just one to eleven, but everyone." The structure is back together again, "and that makes it a lot of fun."

The celebrated interim national team coach also casually commented on the fact that questions about his future came up again after praise of this kind, alluding to Popp's comments on married life in the Hrubesch household: "Oh, my wife has been through everything. I've been married for over 50 years now. She will continue to survive." It is therefore quite possible that the wonderful journey of the "old man", as Hrubesch occasionally describes himself, with his team will take a little longer than expected.

The coach had originally committed to four Nations League group games, the last of which takes place in Wales on Tuesday. If the clearly favored DFB team wins away from home, it will certainly take part in the four-team final tournament of the Nations League at the end of February, in which two European places for the Olympic Games in Paris next summer will be awarded. France are already seeded as Olympic hosts.

Hrubesch had already indicated before the Denmark game that he would also coach the team in the final tournament. What happens after that remains to be seen and will probably also depend on whether the German team takes part in the Olympics or not. "I want to stick with that for now and see how it develops," said the 1980 European champion on Friday evening.

Schult: "Clear development of the team"

Others, such as DFB managing director Andreas Rettig, raved about the qualities of the HSV idol. "It's great what Horst has achieved here with his coaching team," said Rettig on ZDF. "You can see that the team has a completely different body language, it's on fire, it runs for the coach." For former national soccer goalkeeper and Olympic champion Almuth Schult, the coach's signature is also clearly recognizable. "The team had clarity and determination in their play," said the 32-year-old after the important win against Denmark.

Rettig can certainly imagine Hrubesch staying on beyond a possible final tournament. "I have nothing against Horst Hrubesch celebrating his 73rd birthday as national coach," said Rettig. Hrubesch, whose birthday is on April 17, stepped in as interim head coach at the beginning of October after the then national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, whose contract with the German Football Association (DFB) has since been terminated, called in sick.

Since then, the runners-up in the European Championships have been back on track. Even the pressure situation against Denmark - even a draw would have put the team out of the Olympics - was mastered with astonishing aplomb. "It's still a long way from perfect. But I think we brought the basics, the virtues that define us, that make up soccer, back onto the pitch," said Sydney Lohmann, who was full of energy in attack. "There was life there, there was full commitment." And there was a Horst Hrubesch who has everyone behind him - including his wife Angelika.