As the Olympic flame reaches its final destination, the 8-time European Champions Germany are more than ready to take on the tournament, though they will unfortunately be without Bayern Munich’s Lena Oberdorf, sidelined due to an ACL and MCL injury sustained in the latest international game against Austria. Germany will open against Australia, who finished fourth at the 2023 World Cup following a loss to Sweden. On 28th July, Germany’s Olympic journey will continue against the five-time Olympic Champion USA, currently ranked fifth in the FIFA rankings, just behind Germany. Lastly, Germany will face Zambia in their final group stage game.
This tournament marks the first Olympic appearance for many players, but it is also the final tournament for interim manager Horst Hrubesch, who stepped in following Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s departure after the 2023 World Cup. Germany had a disappointing exit from that World Cup in the group stages, despite a win against Morocco, a defeat to Colombia, and a draw with South Korea. The previous year was significant for the DFB-Frauen, as they reached the final of the European Championship but suffered a 2-1 defeat against host England. Midfielder Lena Oberdorf was honoured as the best young player of the tournament, and team captain Alexandra Popp was the top scorer, sharing the accolade with England forward Beth Mead, as both netted six goals each. Popp holds the record for the most goals in the current Olympic squad with 67 goals in 139 caps, followed by Lea Schüller with 42 goals in 62 games.
Giulia Gwinn is another player to watch, making her return to a major international tournament after missing the 2023 World Cup due to her second ACL injury at the age of 23 in October of 2022. Gwinn reflects on the team’s relationship:
“I think it’s impressive when you’re able to feel that a squad functions off the pitch too. That’s our biggest strength.”
A familiar face in goal is Ann-Katrin Berger, the former Chelsea FC goalkeeper, now with Gotham FC in the NWSL since April. Berger has twice battled thyroid cancer, first five years ago and again in 2022.
Delving into the history of the German Women’s team, they captured their first international title within under seven years of their founding, winning the European Championship under Gero Bisanz in 1989. This win was a historic moment for women’s football in Germany, with the semifinal against Italy being the first game broadcasted on German television, resulting in a sold-out final. Germany clinched the Euros a second time before Norway claimed the title in 1993. Following Norway’s victory, the German women won the title six consecutive times between 1995 and 2013, securing over half of the European championships to date. In 2013, Germany missed out on their third consecutive World Cup title, exiting in the quarterfinals, yet the tournament drew up to 19 million TV viewers in Germany. The 2013 European Championship was particularly special, as the squad, restructured due to injuries, had an average age of just 23.5. Three years later, the German Women won the gold medal at the 2016 Olympics, with Sweden placing second and Canada third.
As the German Women’s National Team embarks on this Olympic journey, they carry with them a rich legacy and the hopes of a nation. With a combination of experienced leaders and promising newcomers, they are set to make a significant impact. The absence of key players like Lena Oberdorf and the transition of interim manager Horst Hrubesch add layers of challenge to their campaign, but the squad’s resilience and determination shine through. As they take on formidable opponents and navigate the rigours of the tournament, Germany’s rich history and spirit will undoubtedly inspire their quest for success. The road to gold is fraught with obstacles, but the DFB-Frauen are ready to face them head-on, demonstrating once again their unwavering commitment to excellence in women’s football.
Photo – https://www.instagram.com/dfb_frauenteam/
Sources:
https://www.sport1.de/news/olympia/2024/07/gwinn-vor-olympia-start-teamspirit-der-grosste-schlussel
https://www.dfb.de/frauen-nationalmannschaft/historie
