The DFB women experience disappointing bankruptcy shortly before Olympia
Officially, the DFB-Frauen's match against Iceland is an EM-Qualification game. The Hrubesch team is already assured a spot in the tournament and aims to prepare for the Olympics. However, this fails. In windy Reykjavik, there is a bitter loss.
The German women's national team suffered a harsh morale blow in their Olympic preparation. Thirteen days before the opening match in Marseille against Australia, the selection led by Horst Hrubesch lost 0:3 (0:1) in the EM-Qualification in Iceland. This loss did not affect their already secured participation in the EM 2025 in Switzerland - the momentum for the Olympics is not yet present.
In Reykjavik, the DFB-Frauen conceded an early goal in both halves and their worst loss in six years (0:3 against France). For Iceland, Ingibjorg Sigurdardottir (14.), Alexandra Johannsdottir (52.), and the strong Wolfsburgerin Sveindis Jonsdottir (83.) scored. The game was influenced by the strong wind, but the mistakes in defense had a greater impact. The Icelandic women secured their EM ticket with their second win against Germany. Germany faces Austria in the last game before the Olympics in Hannover on Tuesday (19.00 Uhr/ARD), and this game also counts towards the EM-Qualification.
Popp likely to play against Austria again
There, Hrubesch can likely count on Alexandra Popp again. In Reykjavik, the 73-year-old had to miss the DFB-Captain in the Laugardalsvollur stadium due to a foot inflammation. Sydney Lohmann (muscle problems) was also absent, but she is expected to be there for the Olympic opener in Marseille. Lena Oberdorf was also missing due to a yellow card suspension.
The captain's armband was taken over by Giulia Gwinn, and Nicole Anyomi played in the striker position, who is only a reserve at the Olympics. Hrubesch wished for a good rhythm for the Olympics and wanted above all to "get a handle on the early goals". In the last four games, Germany had conceded four goals in the first 20 minutes. This also happened in Reykjavik: The German team started counter-attacking. The first major opportunity was missed by Jonsdottir (2%). Captain Sigurdardottir then made it 0:1 after a corner. DFB-goalkeeper Merle Frohms failed to reach the ball when coming out for a corner, and Sigurdardottir headed it in (14%).
Germany cheers only briefly
After 20 minutes, the DFB-Frauen stabilized a bit, defensively they were more secure. Offensively, however, they still disintegrated too often. It became dangerous only in quick finishes, but Sjoeke Nüsken (24%), Jule Brand (26%), and Lea Schüller (43%) missed their chances. Germany only cheered briefly - Schüller's impressive volley was disallowed due to an offside position.
In the second half, Germany started erratically again. Iceland intercepted a short pass from Kathrin Hendrich and scored the second goal through Johannsdottir (52%). After initially preventing the 0:3 (58%), the DFB-Elf became more active again. Freigang came close to scoring the equalizer shortly after her substitution, first with a header (61%), then with a volley (78%). Just before the end, Jonsdottir took advantage of a mistake from Sara Doorsoun (83%).
The DFB-Women's loss to Iceland in the EM-Qualification game was a setback for their Olympic preparations, as they looked to gain momentum for the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris. Moreover, the defeat against Iceland was Germany's worst loss in six years, with the scoreline of 0:3.
