Olympic Games still possible: DFB women impress against Denmark
The German women's soccer team can continue to dream of taking part in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. After beating Denmark 3:0 (2:0) in Rostock, interim national coach Horst Hrubesch's side now have their fate in their own hands ahead of their final group game 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.
There was already loud applause from the stands at the break. The score was 2-0 after 45 minutes for the strong home team, which was exactly the result the Germans had hoped for beforehand. The German team was industrious, combined strongly at times and struggled to find many solutions in attack. With success in the end.
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. The DFB team will only qualify for the final four-team Nations League tournament at the end of February, where the two European Olympic places will be decided.
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 failed to hit 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 provided the perfect finishing touch in stoppage time.
The German women's soccer team, currently leading in the Nations League, features prominently in discussions for the 2024 Olympic Games. If they manage to secure a win against Wales in their final group game, the DFB National team could secure a spot in the final four-team tournament, where European Olympic places are up for grabs.
In the previous match against Denmark, the German team showcased their strength and teamwork, despite the absence of key players Lena Oberdorf and Lea Schüller. captain Alexandra Popp and Chelsea FC's Sjoeke Nüsken made significant contributions to the team's victory, with Popp scoring an early goal and Nüsken distributing the ball effectively from central midfield.
Source: www.dpa.com
