Olympia 2024 - DFB-women start with sovereign win into tournament
Sovereign and self-confident, the German women's football team led by Horst Hrubesch started the Olympic tournament and reinforced their medal aspirations. Without Lena Oberdorf, the DFB-women still managed a 3:0 (1:0) victory against Australia in Marseille. Defence chief Marina Hegering (24. minute) and Lea Schüller (64.) scored headers, while Jule Brand (68.) added another goal against the Matildas.
A day before the opening ceremony in Paris, Ann-Katrin Berger was particularly pleased with the success as the new number 1 goalkeeper. Seven years after the gold triumph in Rio de Janeiro, the German squad certainly made a strong comeback on the Olympic stage.
Next opponent for the DFB team is the USA. Already on Sunday, the match against record-World Champions USA will take place in Marseille as well. Three days later, Sambia will be the opponent in Saint-Étienne. With not only the group winners and runners-up advancing to the quarterfinals, but also the two best third-placed teams from the groups, the success against Australia could already be half the ticket for further progress.
Stürmerin Schüller held Oberdorf's number 6 jersey with the 6 in the team photo right before the kick-off. The 22-year-old future Munich player was replaced by Alexandra Popp in midfield - the captain did this with great composure and occasionally joined the attacks. Striker Popp is the only one left who was on the pitch for the 2:1 final victory against Sweden in 2016.
In front of the eyes of DFB-president Bernd Neuendorf, business manager Andreas Rettig and Christian Wück, who will succeed Hrubesch, the German women started off focused. Exactly what Hrubesch had demanded after so many early goals conceded since the debacle against Australia in 2023.
Without their captain Sam Kerr (cruciate ligament injury), the Australians missed the surprise moments in attack. Hegering and Kathrin Hendrich were secure in central defence.
Berger earned her place from FrohmsWith a broad smile, Ann-Katrin Berger watched the national anthem before the kick-off. Hrubesch had actually placed the 33-year-old goalkeeper from NJ/NY Gotham FC between the posts and thus ensured the anticipated awakening. A bitter decision for the long-standing number 1 Merle Frohms: The 29-year-old from VfL Wolfsburg had been the number 1 at the Euros 2022 in England and at the World Cup 2023 in Australia. But Berger put in an impeccable performance.
In her eleventh international appearance, Berger provided goal threat – on the opposing side: After her lightning-fast save from a long range shot, Jule Brand ran on and shot from ten meters over the crossbar (10.). Thirty minutes earlier, the deserved 1:0 was scored as Hegering headed the ball in from a corner by Giulia Gwinn.
Just as in the first goal, Gwinn also provided the precise assist for the 2:0 through her Bayern colleague Schüller with a corner ball. Without letting up, the DFB women continued their play and increased their lead through the agile Brand to 3:0.
- Anna-Catrin Berger expressed satisfaction as the new number 1 goalkeeper for the German women's team ahead of the Olympic tournament.
- Horst Hrubesch, the Federal trainer, demanded a focused start from the team after early goal conceding issues, particularly after the debacle against Australia in 2023.
- The German women's football team, led by Hrubesch, secured a 3:0 (1:0) victory against Australia in the Olympic tournament in Marseille, with goals from Marina Hegering, Lea Schüller, and Jule Brand.
- Seven years after their gold triumph in Rio de Janeiro, the German squad returned strongly to the Olympic stage.
- The team's next opponent is the United States of America, which they will face in Marseille on Sunday.
- Schüller, despite being a striker, wore Oberdorf's number 6 jersey in the team photo before the match.
- Popp, the captain, replaced Oberdorf in midfield and occasionally joined the attacks, showing great composure.
- Despite the absence of captain Sam Kerr due to a cruciate ligament injury, Australia struggled in attack against the secure defence of Hegering and Kathrin Hendrich.
- In her eleventh international appearance, Berger provided an impeccable performance between the posts, which earned her the starting position over Merle Frohms.
- Australia's Jule Brand attempted a goal from ten meters after Berger's save, but it went over the crossbar, while Germany continued their dominance and increased their lead to 3:0.
