- "Gift": DFB women with bronze for Hrubesch's farewell
After a bronze medal finish in a nail-biting match for third place, a jubilant Horst Hrubesch embraced his players. The outgoing coach congratulated penalty shooter Giulia Gwinn as warmly as goalkeeper hero Ann-Katrin Berger, who saved a penalty in the 99th minute to secure Olympic bronze against Spain (1:0). Hrubesch hugged his captain Alexandra Popp, who cried openly on the pitch in Lyon.
"We gave it our all," said Gwinn, who scored the winning penalty (65'). After the "brief moment of shock" at the end, the relief in the team was immense, said the 25-year-old. "Everyone collapsed to the ground, tears flowed. It's just an emotional rollercoaster."
After three grueling weeks at the Olympics, the German women's team defeated the Spanish world champions in the bronze medal match, providing a shining farewell for Hrubesch. In the blazing afternoon sun at 32 degrees, Popp's team delivered another energetic performance and will now attend the medal ceremony in Paris on Saturday.**
After the final between the USA and Brazil at the Parc des Princes, the bronze medalists will also be honored. The German team has won bronze in 2000, 2004, and 2008. In 2016, Hrubesch won gold with the men's team. This time, the players sweetened his departure. He will be succeeded by Christian Wueck after the games, as previously decided. "There will definitely be farewell gifts," promised Gwinn, "but the biggest gift we've given each other."**
Gwinn decided the match in front of around 8,000 spectators, including DFB President Bernd Neuendorf and injured midfielder Lena Oberdorf with crutches. Gwinn was previously fouled by goalkeeper Cata Coll in the penalty area. Just before the final whistle, Spain was awarded a penalty after a foul by Janina Minge, but Berger saved against Alexia Putellas.**
Popp starts in the center forward position**
With Popp returning and starting in the center forward position for the first time at the Olympics, and an offensive Gwinn on the wing, the German team started strongly. They hardly allowed the Spanish team to play their combination football in the first half hour. Midfielder Lea Schüller (patellar tendon inflammation) returned but started on the bench.**
With energetic and attentive defending, captain Marina Hegering and her teammates initially limited the influence of current FIFA Player of the Year Aitana Bonmatí. However, Spain grew stronger. Berger had two lucky escapes: Teresa Abelleira's lob hit the crossbar, and Bonmatí hit the post, with Jennifer Hermoso's follow-up being cleared by Janina Minge.**
Gwinn's penalty shocked the Spanish team. Schüller could have sealed the victory in the 71st minute but shot straight at goalkeeper Coll. On the other side, Berger saved a header from Hermoso.**
With united forces and fortune, the German team managed to maintain their lead until the end, despite the chaos in the final minutes. Even Hrubesch had to sweat it out, but in the end, he too was celebrating. The HSV legend has brought the German women's football team back to the world's top after their debacle at the World Cup in Australia last year.
Under his successor Wueck, who will make his debut against England in Wembley on October 25th, the German women will have to develop quickly. Next year, the European Championship will take place in Switzerland. There might be a significant turnover before that.
Horst Hrubesch expressed his gratitude to goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger for her crucial penalty save in the 99th minute, securing Olympic bronze for Germany. During the medal ceremony, Horst Hrubesch will be remembered fondly by his players, as they provide him with a fitting farewell gift, having won bronze after three weeks of intense competition.
