The DFB women also won their second European Championship qualifier. In the 3:1 (3:1) against Iceland, Lea Schüller in particular showed a class performance.
Schüller gave the German team the lead in Aachen with a header in the 4th minute. Hlin Eiriksdottir equalized in the 23rd minute, before Schüller again (34th) and Lena Oberdorf made everything clear in stoppage time in the first half.
“Could have scored more goals”
“It was fun, but we could have scored three, four, five more goals, especially in the second half – that’s what you can complain about”said Schüller afterwards in the Sportschau interview. “Overall, we played more confidently and clearly than we did against Austria in Linz. I was also very satisfied with our defensive performance.”
Klara Bühl told the first: “We were there from the start and dominated the game. Defensively we have to become even more grippy and better survive the phases in which our legs get tired. But offensively it was very good. In preparation for the Olympics we have to use this move Keep goal and always stay active.”
Iceland had clearly defeated Poland
The Icelanders are not in the top class internationally and have lost 17 of the 18 international matches against Germany in their history. In the first group game, Wolfsburg’s Sveindís Jonsdottir’s team dispatched Poland 3-0, while Horst Hrubesch’s team struggled to a 3-2 win against Austria – so arrogance was not appropriate.
And indeed: After taking the early lead, Iceland showed that they are certainly capable of causing problems for the DFB women. The guest took the upper hand, especially in the duels, and thus earned the equalizer.
Berger instead of Frohms in the DFB goal
Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, who Hrubesch had called up this time instead of Merle Frohms, didn’t look quite brilliant in the 1-1 draw from a tight angle into the near corner, although she also got the ball through her legs from a fairly short distance.
After that, however, the Germans were visibly more alert and created numerous chances. Schüller could have easily added three to four goals after her second goal, but failed several times due to the 19-year-old goalkeeper Fanney Birkisdottir, who is one of the few players in the national team who is still under contract with Valur Reykjavik at home.
Lots of missed opportunities
In the second half, the Germans failed to do much more to improve their goal difference. In addition to Schüller, Klara Bühl as well as Linda Magull, Lena Oberdorf and Jule Brand also failed several times.
Marc Eschweiler, Sportschau, April 9, 2024 8:16 p.m
Germany has now taken the lead in the Group A table, and the next qualifying game is the duel with Poland on May 31st.