DFB Women Secure Victory Against Poland Amidst Sudden Rain Delay
Third match, third win: Germany's women's football team is just one step away from qualifying for the 2025 European Championship in Switzerland. However, the 4-1 victory over underdogs Poland in Rostock served as a cautionary tale for coach Horst Hrubesch's team. There are still 55 days until the first game at the Olympic Games in Marseille against Australia. Despite approximately 90 minutes of dominance, the Germans didn't impress until the end.
Natalia Badilla-Bidas stunned the home crowd with her goal for the visitors after just 45 seconds. The Germans equalized through an own goal by Wiktoria Zieniewicz (34th). Lea Schüller (77th) and Giulia Gwinn (84th/88th, penalty kick) scored the decisive goals for their team towards the end.
Germany leads the group after three games with nine points, followed by Austria and Iceland (both four points) and Poland (zero). The German players will face the Poles again on Tuesday (6 p.m.) in Gdynia and can secure qualification perfectly.
Questionable Defence
Just before kick-off in Rostock's Ostseestadion, Hrubesch stirred up the audience on his way to the bench. But after only 28 seconds into the game, the visitors caused a downer: Badilla-Bidas, who plays for 1. FC Cologne, scored with a no-nonsense shot after a pass from Wolfsburg's Bundesliga's top scorer Ewa Pajor. The German team appeared anxious in the following period, but then gradually took control of the game. The Germans created opportunities to score. However, they displayed uncertainties at the back again. A moment of doubt almost resulted in a goal for Popp (17th minute) for Poland, but her Wolfsburg teammate Merle Frohms stepped in decisively.
The match became an endurance test for the German team. Inaccuracies also marred the flow of the game. The captain Alexandra Popp missed the best chance with a header. Four minutes later, Zieniewicz scored the equalizer for the hosts after a corner kick from Klara Bühl with her header into her own net.
Hrubesch made three substitutions at halftime. He brought in regular defensive leader Marina Hegering for Bibiane Schulze Solano. The Leverkusen players Elisa Senßen and Laura Freigang replaced Sjoeke Nüsken and Alexandra Popp in the attack. The pressure from the Germans intensified, but the inaccuracies remained. In the 63rd minute, they had a lucky escape when Pajot hit the post of the German goal. In the 74th minute, another scare: Hegering had to leave the pitch after a calf injury. Schüller and Gwinn ultimately ensured a favorable result.
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The defeat against Poland initially put Germany's defense under scrutiny, with moments of uncertainty pertaining to their backline. Nevertheless, with their victory securing their place in the European Championship, the focus shifts to their next match against Poland in Gdynia, where they aim to further reinforce their group lead.
During their triumph against Poland, Poland's Women's Soccer team showcased their resilience in the face of Germany's dominance, illustrating that they pose a formidable challenge in the upcoming international clash.
