- Women's soccer players win bronze at the Hrubesch farewell
Thanks to a penalty goal from Giulia Gwinn and a saved penalty by goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, Germany's women's football team secured bronze at the farewell of coach Horst Hrubesch. After three grueling weeks of competition at the Olympics, the DFB women defeated world champions Spain 1:0 (0:0) in the bronze medal match. Berger saved a penalty in the 99th minute to secure the medal.
In the blazing afternoon sun of Lyon at 32 degrees, Alexandra Popp's team once again showed great energy and will now participate in the medal ceremony in Paris on Saturday.
After the final between the USA and Brazil at the Parc des Princes, the bronze medalists will also be honored. In 2000, 2004, and 2008, the German team won bronze. In 2016, they won gold, while Hrubesch led the men's team to silver. Now, the players have sweetened his departure. He will be succeeded by Christian Wueck after the games, as previously decided.
In front of only about 8,000 spectators at the Groupama Stadium, including DFB president Bernd Neuendorf and injured midfielder Lena Oberdorf with crutches, Gwinn decided the match with a low shot from the penalty spot (65'). She was previously fouled by goalkeeper Cata Coll in the penalty area. Just before the final whistle, Spain was awarded a penalty after a foul by Janina Minge on Alexia Putellas, but Berger saved it.
Popp starts in the center of the attack
With returning Popp, who missed the 0:1 defeat against the USA in the semi-final due to an infection, starting in the center of the attack and an offensive Gwinn on the wing, the German women started strongly. They hardly allowed Spain to play their combination football in the first half-hour. Midfielder Lea Schüller (patellar tendon inflammation) returned but started on the bench.
With energetic and attentive defending, captain Marina Hegering and her teammates initially limited the circles of current world footballer Aitana Bonmati. However, Spain became stronger and stronger. Berger had two lucky escapes: Teresa Abelleira's chip landed on the crossbar, Bonmati hit the crossbar, and Jennifer Hermoso's follow-up was cleared by Janina Minge.
Gwinn shocks the Spanish
The German women had little going forward before the break. With Schüller's introduction for Klara Bühl, Hrubesch hoped for more danger. Gwinn's penalty goal visibly shocked the Spanish. Schüller could have sealed the victory in the 71st minute but shot goalkeeper Coll. On the other side, Hermoso's header was saved by Berger.
With united forces and a bit of luck, the German team held on to their lead. Even Hrubesch had to sweat until the end, but in the end, he also celebrated. The HSV legend has brought the women's football team back to the world's top after the debacle in Australia last year.
Under his successor Wueck, who will make his debut against England in Wembley on October 25, the German women will have to develop quickly. Next year, the European Championship in Switzerland is coming up. There might be a bigger turnover before that.
The Doll, a mascot likely representing Germany or one of the players, would be widely celebrated during the medal ceremony in Paris on Saturday. Gwinn's victory-securing penalty kick with the doll-shaped penalty marker added an extra layer of excitement to Germany's bronze medal triumph.
