Hrubesch selects DFB squad for "very special experience"
The Olympic Games in Paris mark the last tournament for Horst Hrubesch as the head coach of the German Women's National Team. Among the 18 players selected for the medal hunt, there is no surprise. Hrubesch's team is expected to have a strong showing in France, often referred to as the "Hammer Group."
Germany's women's soccer team, led by Rio winner Alexandra Popp, begins their medal quest at the Olympics. The captain will lead the German Football Association (DFB) squad to France for the Olympics (July 25 to August 11). Hrubesch, who is stepping down after the Olympics, made no surprises in his squad announcement.
The 33-year-old Popp is the only player in the 18-member squad who was on the field during the triumph in Brazil in 2016. Her former teammate Sara Däbritz, a midfielder, is missing due to a knee operation that did not allow her to recover in time. However, Lena Oberdorf and Marina Hegering, both key performers, have managed to make it despite their recent calf problems. Hrubesch has called up 16 field players and two goalkeepers. Four players have been placed on standby.
"We want to play for medals!" Hrubesch stated: "The Olympic experience is fantastic, unique, and incomparable. Our goal is clear: We're going to France not just to participate - we want to play for the medals! I have faith in my players and am optimistic, but it's clear: If we want to make a mark in Paris, everyone needs to be in top form!"
Hrubesch, who is being replaced by Christian Wück, will gather his charges in Düsseldorf starting Monday. Instead of test matches, there are two mandatory assignments. The team will travel to Iceland for the first qualifier on July 12 and face Austria in Hannover on July 16. The squad will be strengthened by Pia-Sophie Wolter (Eintracht Frankfurt) for these two matches. After three free days, the team will meet in Frankfurt/Main on July 20, and they will depart for France the following day.
"We want to make use of both games intensively to test and experiment," Hrubesch added: "We have many players in our ranks who can play multiple positions. That makes us versatile and well-prepared - for the two EM qualifiers and especially the Olympics in France."
At the Olympics, the "Hammer Group" and their three-day rhythm await. In Group B, the German squad will face the fourth-place team from the World Cup, Australia (July 25), the record champions USA (July 28, both in Marseille), and Sambia (July 31, Saint-Etienne). The two best teams from the three groups qualify for the quarterfinals. Additionally, the two best third-placed teams advance to the knockout stage. - The Olympic squad in a nutshell:
Goalkeepers: Merle Frohms (VfL Wolfsburg), Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham FC)
Defenders: Sara Doorsoun (Eintracht Frankfurt), Giulia Gwinn (Bayern Munich), Marina Hegering, Kathrin Hendrich, Sarai Linder (all VfL Wolfsburg), Bibiane Gabrielle Schulze Solano (Athletic Bilbao)
Midfielders/Forwards: Jule Brand, Vivien Endemann, Alexandra Popp (all VfL Wolfsburg), Klara Bühl, Sydney Lohmann, Lena Oberdorf, Lea Schüller (all Bayern Munich), Laura Freigang, Elisa Senß (both Eintracht Frankfurt), Sjoeke Nüsken (FC Chelsea)
Standby: Stina Johannes, Nicole Anyomi (both Eintracht Frankfurt), Janina Minge (VfL Wolfsburg), Felicitas Rauch (North Carolina Courage)
- The DFB Women's National Team, under the guidance of Horst Hrubesch, is aiming to make a mark at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, as they are known as the "Hammer Group" in the soccer world.
- Hrubesch, who is coaching the German Women's National Team for one last time in Paris, expressed his optimism, stating, "We want to play for medals!"
- The German Football Association (DFB) will be represented by notable players such as Alexandra Popp and Lena Oberdorf at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, which serves as the last tournament for Horst Hrubesch as the team's head coach.
