Paris still has to wait: After a brutal collapse shortly before half-time, the German footballers missed their first Olympic match point. Interim national coach Horst Hrubesch’s selection lost the Nations League semi-final in France 1:2 (0:2) and now needs a win in the game for third place against the Dutch to fulfill their dream of the Summer Games next Wednesday.
Kadidiatou Diani (40th) and Sakina Karchaoui from the penalty spot (45th + 4) scored for the French in Lyon. The European Championship runners-up, on the other hand, have to fear for their chance to make amends almost seven months after the World Cup debacle. Giulia Gwinn’s goal with a hand penalty (82′) didn’t change that. “We weren’t brave enough in the first half. We have to act differently,” said Gwinn on ARD: “That’s very bitter.”
Strong duel behavior is not enough
There was no lack of support from the management of the German Football Association (DFB). President Bernd Neuendorf and managing director Andreas Rettig sat in the stands. The new sports director Nia Künzer already looked ahead to the time after Hrubesch before the game: “I am optimistic that we will find someone who is not Horst 2.0 – but will still have a great development with the team.”
After a minute’s silence for Franz Beckenbauer and Andreas Brehme, things immediately got intense in front of around 30,267 spectators. But initially there were few real chances to score. That changed in the 15th minute. Captain Alexandra Popp caused danger in front of the French goal with a header from a corner. Three minutes later, it was Klara Bühl who tested the French goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin with a shot from the half-left position.
The DFB team impressed with strong duels in defense and straightforward play going forward. In the 30th minute it was Bühl who took the lead again. A goal for the guests was in the air at this point, and Hrubesch took part on the sideline. However, the last minutes of the first half belonged to the French. After a free kick, the Germans couldn’t get the ball out of the danger zone, Diani scored with a strong finish from the edge of the penalty area. Selma Bacha could have even increased shortly afterwards (45th). Karchaoui managed to do that from the penalty spot before the break. Lena Oberdorf had previously clearly fouled Grace Geyoro.
At the start of the second round, Hrubesch brought in three new players in Sydney, Lohmann, Jule Brand and local hero Sara Däbritz from Olympique Lyon. Among others, the ailing defense chief Marina Hegering had to leave the field. The changes initially had little effect. The Germans didn’t have more than a field superiority; it was only at corners that things got tricky for the hosts. The French concentrated on defense and waited for counterattacks. After 70 minutes there was no sign of a comeback for the DFB team. Popp could have raised hope again, but the goalscorer only hit the crossbar. Gwinn managed to do it from the spot ten minutes later, but it wasn’t enough.