Her option to ski had long been available, but Martina Voss-Tecklenburg didn’t want to get in just yet. The national coach stood between the red team bus of the German national team and a fence at the Ronhof sports park in Fürth and looked at her mobile phone. Her family probably sent messages, maybe her DFB colleague Hansi Flick, who writes to her from time to time. But she couldn’t really concentrate, dozens of fans had been waiting for a moment like this, they shouted and shouted, hoping for a photo or an autograph: Who knows what that’s worth?
There are just under two weeks until the start of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand (July 20th to August 20th). On Friday evening, however, it didn’t seem as if the next title holders had presented themselves to the fans. Actually, this last test before leaving for Sydney should have boosted self-confidence. Instead, it showed 2: 3 (0: 0) against the world number 77. Zambia that there is still work to be done to stay in the tournament for as long as possible. The declared goal is: until the end and then please return with a shiny trophy, like in 2003 and 2007.
Instead of smiling contentedly, Voss-Tecklenburg then sat at the press conference with a serious look. She won’t talk everything down, she said. The first half was completely okay in the game system, your team implemented a lot of what you wanted to show. The morale of wanting to turn the 0:2 was also right. What she lacked was cleverness and one thing above all in this mixed international season so far: “We have to learn more consistently from our mistakes.” The fact that the players are not physically at 100 percent is no excuse. “I’m expecting a leap in performance from the physical build-up, but also from the clear mentality,” said the 55-year-old. “Otherwise – as these games all show – international football has become so good that it is no longer enough to win.”
Barbara Banda never got the German players under control
The first half had actually been fine. The Germans seemed better coordinated, more focused and created chances. Klara Bühl, Alexandra Popp, Lina Magull, Felicitas Rauch and Sara Däbritz could have met several times. What was missing on the offensive were consistency and precision. At the same time, it became apparent that the defensive had to become much more stable. Voss-Tecklenburg moved Svenja Huth to the right full-back position, which was unusual, while VfL colleague Jule Brand took her place on the right flank. She later explained that this was also an “absolute option” for the World Cup. But even the fast Huth couldn’t keep up with the even faster Barbra Banda. As soon as the 23-year-old stormed on goal, the German defense had problems. At first Banda lacked accuracy, later she ruined the evening for the Germans.
Three times they let themselves be taken by surprise in a similar way and far too easily on the counterattack. 48 minutes, Jule Brand loses possession in midfield, long pass to Banda, goal. 54 minutes: Huth loses the ball, long pass to Zambia’s captain, who was able to defend at first, but still provided the assist through Racheal Kundananji to make it 2-0. The morale that Voss-Tecklenburg spoke of resulted in two late header goals from Lea Schüller (90+1) and Popp (90+10). But then the race to catch up was ruined again with a completely unnecessary loss of possession. A throw-in by Bühl initiated the next long pass to Banda, goalkeeper Merle Frohms was far outside, Kathrin Hendrich couldn’t keep up, 2:3. Nothing was right anymore and the dress rehearsal was a mess.
Always dangerous: Barbra Banda, here against Kathrin Hendrich (left) and Merle Frohms in the German goal.
(Photo: Michaela Merk/Michaela Merk/Imago)
“We are really very disappointed,” said Kathrin Hendrich. “But maybe that was a wake-up call at the right time and it’s good that it’s happened now and we can adjust accordingly.” Alexandra Popp was also happy that her team still had time before the opening game against Morocco on July 24th. “It must be clear to us that we must not underestimate any World Cup opponents and always have to give 100 percent. That was clearly shown to us,” said the DFB captain. “But I’m not worried.”
Something else was more worrying than the result or the performance anyway. “It’s much worse that we first have to see what’s going on with our injured players,” said Voss-Tecklenburg. “Of course, that throws one or the other business game overboard. That’s why it’s more in my head.” Lena Oberdorf (thigh), Marina Hegering (foot) and Carolin Simon (knee) had to be replaced. It is therefore clear that additional players will fly to Australia in order to be able to react well to failures. Of course, the naming of the final 23-strong squad on Saturday afternoon should have been free of such circumstances. “We really didn’t want that, so we’ll deal with that tonight,” said Voss-Tecklenburg. “Maybe it will take a little more patience tomorrow.” The national coach shouldn’t have slept much after the defeat against Zambia. Especially not good.