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's no surprise. Hrubesch's team is expected to face tough competition in France, often referred to as the "Hammer Group."
Alexandra Popp, the Rio winner, leads the German footballers in their medal mission. The captain will guide the DFB selection to the Olympics in France (July 25 to August 11). Hrubesch opted against surprises during his squad announcement.
Popp, a 33-year-old player, is the only one 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 didn't allow her to recover in time. However, Lena Oberdorf and Marina Hegering, both key performers, have made it despite their recent calf issues. Hrubesch 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 medals! I have faith in my players and am optimistic, but it's clear: If we want to make an impact in Paris, everyone needs to be in top form!"
Hrubesch, who will be replaced by Christian Wück after the Olympics, will gather his charges in Düsseldorf from 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 days of rest, the team will meet in Frankfurt/Main on July 20, and a day later, they will head to France.
"We want to make the most of both games 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" awaits, including a three-day group stage schedule. 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, in Saint-Etienne). The two best teams from the three groups qualify for the quarterfinals, and the two best third-placed teams advance to the knockout stage. - The Olympic squad in detail:
Goalkeepers: Merle Frohms (VfL Wolfsburg), Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham FC)
Defenders: Sara Doorsoun (Eintracht Frankfurt), Giulia Gwinn (Bayern München), 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 München), 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 German National soccer team, led by Horst Hrubesch, will compete in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, aiming to secure medals. Hrubesch's squad, known as the "Hammer Group," is expected to face strong competition in the Hammer Group of the Olympics. The DFB Women's team, which includes Alexandra Popp, will be looking to replicate their success from the 2016 Olympics where they won a medal.
