Paris, the city of longing for Germany Women's team

Olympia-Football - Paris, the city of longing for the German women's team (DFB)

After the lesson against the USA, the DFB-Women's team at the Olympics continues towards their dream destination Paris for the Tour de France. Paris, the city of dreams on the Seine, can only be reached by the German team led by trainer Horst Hrubesch at the latest for the final. "It's not over yet – or is it? We'll keep our dreams alive. If it's not possible anymore, then it's over. But as long as it's possible, we'll keep working in this direction and making and doing," said Hrubesch before the German footballers moved from Marseille to Saint-Étienne.

"We've taken a hit"

At least a point against Sambia is required to ensure a safe passage into the quarterfinals. Hrubesch and captain Alexandra Popp tried to react calmly after the first setback on the way to the hoped-for medal. "We've taken a hit - that's all that happened," said the 73-year-old about the 1:4 in the Stade Vélodrome.

"With three points, we're not doing too badly, but we want to win every game. That's our route against Sambia," said Popp. The Wolfsburg player also caused a moment of alarm when she had to be substituted due to injury.

Popp's "cartilage knee" acting up

"It's my cartilage knee that's acting up every now and then. It's not that bad, nothing serious has happened," clarified the 33-year-old, looking back on a previous serious injury, and spoke of fatigue: "We'll get through it, I'm in good spirits."

The group win, which would have secured the DFB-Women their first knockout game in the Parisian Prinzenpark and the long-awaited entry into the Olympic Village, is only theoretically possible. The USA presented themselves as a "world-class team," as defender Kathrin Hendrich said: "We want to come back and face them again."

As group runners-up, it could go against Colombia, France, or Canada. If Hrubesch's team advances as third place, Spain, surprisingly, would be the likely next rival. Further stations in the quarterfinals would be Marseille or Lyon. In the heart of Olympia in Paris, the German women are playing only if they make it to the final.

Sambia wild as a bird

The German team has terrible memories of their last group stage opponent Sambia (Wednesday, 19:00 hours/ARD and Eurosport). In the last test match before the 2023 World Cup, it was 2:3 in Fürth. Sambia has two top strikers in Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji, but showed itself to be wild in defense against Australia and lost 5:6 after leading 5:2.

"We're not overconfident and saying we'll win every game and sail through. There's no reason to lower our heads," said Hrubesch after the final whistle. He also referred back to the 3:0 in the opening game against Australia: "I've just told the girls, we'll play it like we did in the first game. Maybe we'll meet the Americans again in the semifinals. Then we'll see what happens."

The HSV icon, who celebrated his greatest success as a player with the EM triumph in 1980, also reached deep into the historical vault for encouragement. "I've been European champion before, and I didn't win every game then," said Hrubesch and added: "And many later World Cup winners have also not won every game."

Despite the loss against Zambia, the DFB-Women's team, led by trainer Horst Hrubesch, is determined to reach Paris for the Tour de France in their Olympic journey.
The German team needs at least a point against Zambia in the preliminary round to secure a safe passage into the quarterfinals.
Horst Hrubesch and captain Alexandra Popp are maintaining a calm demeanor after their first setback, with a 1:4 score against Zambia in Marseille.
Alexandra Popp, despite struggling with her cartilage knee, remains optimistic about their chances even after being substituted due to injury.
The United States of America presented themselves as a formidable opponent, with defender Kathrin Hendrich calling them a "world-class team".
If the German team fails to win their group, they could face Colombia, France, or Canada in the quarterfinals.
Barcelona striker Leipzig striker Popp and Kongsdinger Barbra Banda along with Racheal Kundananji make up Zambia's dangerous attack force.
Hrubesch and his team learned a valuable lesson from their last encounter with Zambia, a 2:3 loss in Fürth, with both teams set to face each other again in the upcoming preliminary round match.
The German women's national team has a rich history in soccer, with Horst Hrubesch reminiscing about his own EM triumph in 1980 as a source of inspiration and encouraging his team ahead of the preliminary round match against Zambia.