The very last Olympic mission of the DFB women
German women's football team narrowly loses Olympic semi-final. Against the USA, they did much better than in the group stage, but it wasn't enough in the end. However, the players coached by Horst Hrubesch don't want to dwell on the defeat for too long.
Once the tears had dried, the German footballers showed their defiance. In the Olympic semi-final, they had lost to the Americans after a long fight. "We played really well for large parts of the game," said Giulia Gwinn, who captained the team in the absence of Alexandra Popp and scored the opening goal in a 0:1 defeat after extra time. "It's incredibly bitter," said Laura Freigang about missing out on the Olympic final: "The good thing is that the bronze medal match is in three days."
The team will be back in action on Friday. The match for third place will also be high-quality, with the Germans facing the world champions from Spain (3 pm/ZDF and Eurosport, as well as in the ntv.de live ticker). Back in Lyon, but not in Paris. Only the finalists have access to the Olympic Village, a highlight for all athletes. "We're all ready and willing, and we don't want to go home empty-handed," said Gwinn. Coach Horst Hrubesch, who will be succeeded by Christian Wück after the Olympics, said: "We'll take our hats off today, and we'll be back on our feet tomorrow."
After a 1:4 defeat in the group stage, the German women put up a passionate fight against the Americans this time and even had a chance to equalize in the final seconds of extra time through Freigang. She was free in the American penalty area. On TV, you could hear and see the former header monster Hrubesch despairing. "We were right there. If it had gone to penalties, we would have won it," said Sydney Lohmann, who replaced Popp, referring to goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger's penalty heroics in the quarter-final against Canada.
First nervous, then wide awake
At the start of the game, it didn't look like the German women would come so close to their final dream. The omens were bad. Midfielder Lena Oberdorf, who had suffered a cruciate and medial collateral ligament injury, could only watch from the stands as a VIP. She had traveled as a lucky charm, but before the game, she had to deal with a series of setbacks. Captain Popp had to sit out due to an infection, as did the team's top scorer, Lea Schüller. They also had to recover from the nerve-wracking penalty shootout against Canada in the quarter-finals.
Despite all this, the German women played better than they had in the group stage, when they lost 1:4. In the high summer temperatures of over 30 degrees, it didn't take long for the US team to test goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger. But the German goalkeeper, who had been the hero against Canada, was alert and saved shots from Rose Lavelle (4.) and Sophia Smith (7.). The German team then became more confident and focused on their quick transitions. Coach Hrubesch was visibly excited on the sidelines, urging his team on ("Keep going like that!"). The German team even created chances, with Klara Bühl's corner (21.) and Jule Brand's shot (24.) both saved by US keeper Alyssa Naeher. However, both teams tired as the game went on, and Berger saved a header from US captain Lindsey Horan (79.). Mallory Swanson's goal (86.) was disallowed for offside.
The game then developed into a attritional struggle. Buhl (94.) finally had another good German chance, but the USA struck back. Swanson passed the ball to Smith through the middle, left-back Felicitas Rauch struggled. Smith remained calm against the rushing Berger and scored from 14 meters. Germany mobilized their last reserves, switched to a back three, but substitute Freigang (119.) missed the last chance to equalize.
Hrubesch "has already" won a medal
Yet, the sorrow didn't last long. Quite the opposite. "I told the girls I can only congratulate them on the way they played," said Hrubesch, whose long career will end on Friday. That he would leave with a medal on Friday wasn't important. "I've already won one," said the former HSV striker. In 2016 in Rio, he won silver as head coach of the German men's team - after losing the final to Brazil on penalties. "It would be important for me if the girls got one. It will be tough enough," said Hrubesch.
Eight years after the Rio gold triumph, this would be the fourth bronze medal for the German women's football team at the Summer Olympics. "No one would have thought we'd even be here before. We still have a chance at bronze, a second match ball," said Hrubesch. "We'll try to use it." Behind them lies a long Olympic journey. The thrilling 3-0 opening win against Australia, the hard 1-4 setback against the USA, the 4-1 comeback against Zambia, the Canadian penalty drama. And on Friday, the last game for bronze. The very last Olympic mission. "We'll dedicate this game to him," said Buhl about Hrubesch.
And in the end, the dream of Paris could still come true. Somehow. Many parts of the DFB delegation seem to be continuing their journey to the Olympic city, which celebrates these games at every corner. A detour to the French capital and a possible visit to the Olympic village will be arranged individually with the lending clubs. Details are still being clarified, said a DFB spokesperson.
Despite the loss, coach Horst Hrubesch's DFB team demonstrated resilience and determination. They will face Spain in the bronze medal match, aiming to end their Olympic journey with a medal.
During the semi-final against the USA, DFB goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger showed exceptional talent, saving shots from Rose Lavelle and Sophia Smith early in the game.
