football
DFB women initially without Popp in the Netherlands
Initially on the bench against the Netherlands: Alexandra Popp. photo
© Robert Michael/German Press Agency GmbH/dpa
Without captain Alexandra Popp in the starting XI, the German soccer players go into the international match in the Netherlands. One day after her 32nd birthday, the VfL Wolfsburg goalscorer is initially on the bench in Sittard.
Without captain Alexandra Popp in the starting XI, the German soccer players go into the international match in the Netherlands. One day after her 32nd birthday, the VfL Wolfsburg goalscorer is initially on the bench in Sittard.
As announced, national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, who had extended her contract until EM 2025 on Monday, is giving some players a chance to prove themselves in the fourth to last international match before the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in the summer. As captain, Sara Däbritz leads the DFB team onto the pitch. Nicole Anyomi, who was actually planned, was out at short notice due to a foot injury, and Svenja Huth will start in her place.
As expected, Melanie Leupolz is not in the squad after breaking her nose and has to postpone her comeback. The 28-year-old from Chelsea had an operation on Wednesday, but did not leave the team, which still meets Brazil on Tuesday in Nuremberg. Leupolz played her last of 75 international matches before the birth of her son in November 2021 against Portugal.
Also officially on the bench is former captain Dzsenifer Marozsan, who has announced her retirement and wants to play her last international match against Brazil. A substitution in the Netherlands seems unlikely.