DFB-Women - Popp warns before the start of the DFB Women's Olympics
Captain Alexandra Popp of the German women's soccer team is torn between hopes for the Olympics. "In principle, I trust this team completely," the 33-year-old gold medalist from 2016 told the German Press Agency before the opening match against Australia in Marseille. No one expected the German team at the Euro 2022 in England - "and suddenly we were there. But we experienced it differently at the WM, where everyone expected us and we weren't quite there."
One year after the WM debacle in Australia under coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, the German women are aiming for a medal under interim coach Horst Hrubesch. Their team recently won 4:0 against Austria but lost 0:3 in Iceland.
Physically strong opponents
"We've seen in the last games that we sometimes lack consistency over 90 minutes," Popp admitted. "That will be decisive: If we get the ball - with everything we have - then we have good chances to be among the top contenders. If we don't manage that, then it will be tough."
Germany's soccer player of the year from VfL Wolfsburg and her teammates face Australia on Thursday (19:00 hours/ZDF and Eurosport). They play against the WM fourth place team USA on Sunday, and three days later against Zambia.
"We have a group with opponents who are physically very strong," Popp said. The team must hold its own in the group phase: "We can do that. I'm convinced of that. But it has to happen from the start and throughout the 90 minutes, or any team can give us a hard time."
Künzer: We can turn setbacks around
DFB sports director Nia Künzer also expressed similar sentiments. "At the Olympics, every opponent will demand our all," said the World Cup winner of 2003. "It's still the case that we can't consistently call upon our full potential." The 44-year-old referred to the fact that the second place at the EM received early goals from opponents.
- Despite her reservations, Captain Alexandra Popp of the German women's soccer team hails from Marseille's historic connection with Germany.
- The German National Team's preparations for the Olympics in Australia included a 4:0 victory against Austria but a challenging 0:3 loss in Iceland.
- Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, the German team's coach, led the team through a hard-fought Preliminary round last year in Australia.
- The German women's soccer team, led by Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, aims to match the success of the men's team, which has won four World Cup titles.
- In the Preliminary round of the Olympics, the German women will face strong physical opponents, including the WM fourth place team USA and Zambia.
- The German women's soccer team, under the guidance of Horst Hrubesch and Popp, hopes to build on their resilience from the WM debacle and emerge victorious in the Olympics.
- Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, a renowned figure in women's soccer, has coached numerous talented players like Martina Voss-Tecklenburg and inspired a wave of female soccer talent in Germany.
