The Olympic dream of the weakened DFB team is shattered
The German women's football team will now only play for the bronze medal at the Olympic Games. The team coached by Bundestrainer Horst Hrubesch lost the semi-final against the USA. This was partly due to the absence of captain Alexandra Popp and striker Lea Schüller, two key players.
The captain is ill, the top scorer is injured, the gold dream is shattered: The last resort of the German women's football team failed against the bogey team just before the long-awaited destination of Paris. Without Alexandra Popp and Lea Schüller, the German team lost its courageous semi-final fight against the USA 0:1 (0:1, 0:0) after extra time and must now gather strength for the match for the Olympic bronze medal.
Sophia Smith (95.) scored for the experienced USA, who had already been successful twice in the group match nine days earlier (4:1). One year after the World Cup fiasco, this "Tour de France" for the selection of Horst Hrubesch does not end with the hoped-for entry into the Olympic Village. The gold winner of 2016 remains for the small final against Brazil or World Champion Spain on Friday (15:00) in Lyon. Germany has already won bronze three times (2000, 2004 and 2008).
Oberdorf as a spectator in Lyon
Popp (infection) and Schüller (patellar tendon inflammation) are likely to return to the squad for the tournament finale if they become fit. The DFB announced the absence of the two key players after the quarter-final against Canada (4:2 i.E.) on Friday morning. Nicole Anyomi replaced Schüller in the starting line-up.
In temperatures of over 30 degrees, it took less than two minutes for Tierna Davidson to test Ann-Katrin Berger. However, the German goalkeeper, who was the hero against Canada, was wide awake at the nervous start, like against Rose Lavelle (4.) and Sophia Smith (7.).
Popp, who had previously replaced Lena Oberdorf in midfield, had to watch from the hotel how Sjoeke Nüsken took over her position and Sydney Lohmann moved into the attack. Oberdorf, who had undergone knee surgery, watched the game alongside Schüller, DFB General Secretary Heike Ullrich and CEO Andreas Rettig from the tribune.
USA only scores with offside goal
Despite the adverse conditions, Germany became more confident after a quarter of an hour and focused on its counter-attacking game. A corner kick from Klara Bühl (21) aimed directly at the goal was parried by US keeper Alyssa Naeher, as was Jule Brand's shot (24), who was fielded by Hrubesch as a second striker. The outgoing coach actively coached his players, praising their energetic performance. "Keep it up like this," called the 73-year-old, who will hand over the position to Christian Wück after the summer games.
After the break, the German defence had to stay alert against the powerful Marina Hegering. With clever pressing, they also managed to win the ball, but lacked precision once again. After an hour, the first players visibly ran out of strength. Berger was on hand to parry a header from US captain Lindsey Horan (79), but a goal from Mallory Swanson (86) was disallowed for offside.
In extra time, the game became a battle of attrition. Bühl (94) finally had another good chance for Germany, but the USA struck back immediately. Swanson passed the ball to Smith, who beat left-back Felicitas Rauch. Smith remained calm against the onrushing Berger and scored from 14 meters. Germany threw everything forward, switched to a three-man defence, but substitute Laura Freigang (119) missed the last chance to equalize.
The absence of Alexandra Popp and Lea Schüller greatly impacted the DFB women's team, as they watched from the sidelines during the semi-final against USA. Despite their absence, both players are expected to return for the bronze medal match if they recover in time.
With Popp and Schüller watching from the stands, Sjoeke Nüsken took over Popp's position in midfield, and Sydney Lohmann moved into the attack during the semi-final against USA.
