Olympia-Footballers (female) - Strong Start: DFB-Women score three goals against Australia
Sovereign and self-confident, the German women's football team led by Horst Hrubesch started the Olympic tournament and reinforced their medal aspirations. Without Lena Oberdorf, the DFB women still managed a 3:0 (1:0) victory against Australia in Marseille. In front of just a few thousand spectators at Stade Velodrome, Marina Hegering (24. minute) and Lea Schüller (64.) scored headers, while Jule Brand (68.) added another goal against the Matildas.
One day before the opening ceremony in Paris, Ann-Katrin Berger could particularly enjoy the success as the new number 1 in the German goal. Seven years after the gold triumph in Rio de Janeiro, the German squad certainly made a strong comeback on the Olympic stage.
The following Sunday, the United States, the record World Cup champions, will be the opponents in Marseille. Three days later, Sambia will be the adversary in Saint-Étienne. With not only the group winners and runners-up advancing to the quarterfinals, but also the best third-placed teams from three groups, the success against Australia could already be worth half the rent for further progress.
[Oberdorf's jersey with the number 6 on the team photo]
Just before kick-off, striker Lea Schüller held up Oberdorf's jersey with the number 6 at the team photo. The 22-year-old future Munich player was replaced by Alexandra Popp in midfield - the captain did this with great composure and occasionally joined the attacks. Top scorer Popp is the only remaining player who was on the pitch for the 2:1 final victory against Sweden in 2016.
Winning with two corner ball assists
In the presence of DFB President Bernd Neuendorf, business manager Andreas Rettig, and Christian Wück, who will succeed Hrubesch, the German women put in a focused performance. Exactly what Hrubesch had demanded after so many early goals conceded since the debacle against Australia in 2023.
Without their captain Sam Kerr (cruciate ligament injury), the Australians lacked the surprise moments in attack. Especially since Hegering and Kathrin Hendrich were secure in central defense.
Berger fought for her place from Frohms
With a broad smile, Ann-Katrin Berger listened to the national anthem before kick-off. Hrubesch had actually placed the 33-year-old goalkeeper from NJ/NY Gotham FC between the posts and thus ensured the anticipated awakening. A bitter decision for the long-standing first-choice goalkeeper Merle Frohms: The 29-year-old from VfL Wolfsburg had been the number 1 at the European Championship 2022 in England and at the World Cup 2023 in Australia. But Berger put in an impeccable performance.
In her eleventh international appearance, Berger provided a threat - on the opposing side: After her lightning-fast save from a long-range shot, Jule Brand ran on and shot, but missed the target from ten meters (10.). Thirty minutes later, the deserved 1:0 came, as Hegering headed the ball after a corner from Giulia Gwinn.
Just as with the first goal, Gwinn also provided the precise assist for Schüller's second goal with a corner ball. The DFB women continued their play without letting up and increased their lead to 3:0 through Brand's agility.
- The German women's soccer team, in the quarterfinals of the Olympic tournament, will face tough challenges with matches against the United States and Zambia.
- In the absence of Lena Oberdorf, Julia Gwinn stepping up to deliver two corner ball assists for Germany's goals against Australia.
- Popp, the team's captain and top scorer, led the team with composure, replacing Oberdorf in midfield and occasionally joining attacks.
- With a 3:0 victory over Australia, Germany is well-positioned to advance to the quarterfinals, especially as not only group winners and runners-up progress, but also the best third-placed teams.
- Ann-Katrin Berger, the new number 1 in the German goal, enjoyed her success in Marseille, as her performance in goal secured Germany's victory.
- In front of just a few thousand spectators at Stade Velodrome, Lea Schüller and Marina Hegering scored headers, while Jule Brand added another goal against Australia.
- The DFB women's team had a strong comeback in the Olympic stage, seven years after their gold triumph in Rio de Janeiro, demonstrating their skills and determination.
- With their victory against Australia, the German team is showing resilience and strength, especially after the debacle against Australia in 2023.
- In the opening ceremony soon to take place in Paris, the attention will turn to the opposing teams, including the United States, who will challenge Germany in Marseille the following Sunday.
- Horst Hrubesch, the team's leader, demanded a focused performance from the German women, following so many early goals conceded since the debacle against Australia in 2023.
- Without their captain Sam Kerr due to a cruciate ligament injury, Australia struggled to find their surprise moments in attack, as Hegering and Hendrich were secure in central defense.
- Merle Frohms, the long-standing first-choice goalkeeper, was replaced by Ann-Katrin Berger, who put in an impressive performance in goal, ensuring the German team's victory against Australia.
