Nations League - Olympic Games still possible: DFB team impresses against Denmark
The relief of the fans and players could not only be felt, it could also be heard and seen. After the much-needed 3:0 (2:0) victory of the German women's soccer team against Denmark on Friday evening, there was nothing but party mood in Rostock.
"Today was an all-round successful day, so we're all happy," said national player Svenja Huth on ZDF.
After a well-deserved victory in the Nations League match, interim national team coach Horst Hrubesch 's side now have the chance to win the group again ahead of their final match in Wales on Tuesday. Captain Alexandra Popp (14th minute), Marina Hegering (26th) and Klara Bühl (90+3) scored in front of 19,180 fans in the sold-out Ostseestadion. However, Hrubesch did not want to talk about the significantly increased Olympic chances just yet: "Now we'll do our homework first."
DFB team can make everything clear in Wales
After the 0:2 in the first leg, the direct comparison against the Danes now goes to the German team. While the DFB team will play in Wales and can clinch everything with a win, the Danes will host Iceland at the same time. Only first place will qualify the DFB team for the final four-team Nations League tournament at the end of February, where the two European Olympic places will be decided.
There was already loud applause from the stands at the break. After 45 minutes, it was 2:0 for the strong home team, which was exactly the result the Germans had hoped for in advance. The German team was industrious, combined strongly at times and struggled to find many solutions in attack. With success in the end.
Against Denmark, the absence of defensive midfielder Lena Oberdorf from VfL Wolfsburg and Bayern striker Lea Schüller - both of whom had to withdraw due to injury - was hardly noticeable. In any case, Hrubesch had called up six players compared to the recent 2-0 win in Iceland, including captain Popp and Chelsea FC's Sjoeke Nüsken. While the recovered Popp proved her heading prowess early on after a cross from left-back Sarai Linder, Nüsken then continued to distribute the ball cleverly from central midfield.
The Germans also often attempted to play down the flanks, where Linder and right-back Giulia Gwinn were busy pushing forward. However, the 2:0 was the result of a corner that Klara Bühl delivered sharply in front of goal and found the perfect recipient in Hegering. However, it was annoying that the 33-year-old Hegering was yellow-carded shortly afterwards - she will now be missing in Wales.
Danes harmless
There was little from the Danes overall, despite the many drumbeats from the "Fanklubben Blok G". Sanne Troelsgaard and Amalie Vangsgaard, the double scorer from the first leg, had the best chances, while Merle Frohms, who was back in goal for Germany after suffering a concussion, made two saves.
The DFB team, in which Leverkusen's Elisa Senß made her debut, remained more effective after the break. Lohmann shot powerfully at goal, but missed the 3:0, as did Popp, who missed the post. It remained unnecessarily tense, even though the visitors looked quite harmless. Coach Andrée Jeglertz's team were unable to compensate for the absence of Bayern's Pernille Harder.
In the meantime, the German fans sent one laudatory cheer after the next through the stadium. The atmosphere matched a game in which Hrubesch's team did so much else right. Bühl scored the perfect finish in stoppage time.
Information about the game at DFB
Lesen Sie auch:
- The victory against Denmark brought relief not only to the German women's soccer team but also to their fans in Rostock, who celebrated with joy after the 3:0 win on ZDF.
- The much-awaited victory in the Nations League match put Germany in a position to potentially win the group, with their final match against Wales upcoming.
- In front of a sold-out Ostseestadion, champions Alexandra Popp, Marina Hegering, and Klara Bühl scored for the DFB team, while Horst Hrubesch maintained a cautious approach regarding the Olympic chances.
- With a win in Wales, the DFB team can secure their qualification for the final Nations League tournament, where two European Olympic places will be decided.
- The German team played industriously and combined well, despite the absence of key players such as Lena Oberdorf and Lea Schüller, who were unable to participate due to injury.
- The industrious German team struggled to find solutions in attack but found success with a well-executed set piece, which Klara Bühl delivered to Marina Hegering for the score.
- The DFB team was more effective in the second half, with Babbel and Popp both missing chances to extend their lead, while Denmark looked relatively harmless with Bayern's Pernille Harder absent.
- Merle Frohms made crucial saves in goal as the DFB team continued to dominate the match, with Elisa Senß making her debut in the process.
- Popp, Bühl, and Hegering were standout performers in the match, earning rapturous applause from the German fans who sent cheer after cheer through the stadium.
- Bühl scored a perfect finish in stoppage time, putting an exclamation point on the team's impressive performance against the Danish team.
- With the win in Rostock, the DFB team will travel to Wales looking to secure their position at the top of the group and boost their chances of making the Olympic team.
Source: www.stern.de
