Nations League
Hopeful Hrubesch: Two chances for the Olympic ticket
National coach Horst Hrubesch observes the players during training. photo
© Arne Dedert/dpa
A good six months after the World Cup disaster in Australia, missing out on taking part in the Olympics would be the next hard setback for the DFB women. But the Hrubesch team has two chances.
A win against France – and the German footballers would have theirs Olympic ticket for Paris secured. But the route to the Final Four tournament of the Nations League could be a tricky one. First of all, the French world-class team awaits in the semi-finals on Friday (9 p.m./ARD) in Lyon.
Interim national coach and hopeful Horst Hrubesch sees the chances at “50:50”. The 72-year-old said on Thursday that he was always positive anyway. “But I think the girls are too. We believe in our opportunity. I really hope we take advantage of it.”
What is the starting position?
With a win against France, the 2022 European vice-champions would be at the Summer Games. Since the French are automatically qualified as Olympic hosts, the Hrubesch team would have a second chance in the game for third place in the Final Four of the Nations League in the event of a defeat: Then next Wednesday in Seville or Heerenveen the loser of the game between them would be World champions from Spain and the Netherlands are the opponents. But Hrubesch definitely wants to make everything clear against France.
How are the staff?
During the preparation on the DFB campus, Hrubesch had all 23 nominated players with him. The European Championship and World Cup participants Lina Magull, Felicitas Rauch and Nicole Anyomi are only available on call. Newcomer to the squad is Wolfsburg striker Vivien Endemann (22). Hrubesch is obviously planning with the dual leadership of Lea Schüller/Alexandra Popp. The defensive axis will be goalkeeper Merle Frohms, the central defense with Marina Hegering and Kathrin Hendrich and Lena Oberdorf in midfield – all from VfL Wolfsburg. For midfielder Sara Däbritz from Olympique Lyon it is a home game.
What is the shape?
Finally wavering. Under Hrubesch, the DFB selection at least managed to take part in the Final Four after the botched World Cup in Australia with a win against Denmark and a draw against Wales. Especially on the offensive, Popp and Co. often didn’t have enough ideas. Hrubesch demands physicality and speed from the outside.
How strong is France?
Coach Hervé Renard’s team has never won an international title in its history, but has strong players from Olympique Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain in its ranks. It is currently third in the FIFA rankings behind Spain and the USA. The injured world-class defender Wendie Renard is missing against Germany. The DFB women have recently had good experience against their neighboring nation, including winning the semi-finals at the 2022 European Championships in England.
What is the history of the Olympics?
In Rio in 2016, the German footballers won gold with national coach Silvia Neid – while Hrubesch, then in charge of the DFB men, lost to Brazil in the final. The 72-year-old definitely wants to experience the Olympics again. That’s the only reason he allowed himself to be persuaded to temporarily take over the women’s selection for the second time after 2018. The national team missed the Summer Games in Tokyo.
What happens after the Olympic qualification?
The DFB women will start qualifying for the 2025 European Championship in Switzerland in April. It is unclear how and whether the association will use the time during the games in Paris (July 26th to August 11th) if participation in the Olympics does not work out. The new sports director Nia Künzer still wants to talk to the clubs.
How does Hrubesch become?
It is clear that the HSV idol will stop after the summer games – if his selection is there. If he missed out on taking part in the Olympics, he would at best be willing to continue to help out for a short “transitional period”, but sees other demands if there is an impending upheaval. Künzer did not want to provide any information about the DFB’s timetable. “When the time comes, we will comment on it,” said the 44-year-old 2003 world champion. “The scenarios are clear and we are prepared for everything.” If things don’t work out with the Olympics, the DFB will be required to quickly arrange Hrubesch’s successor. The end of national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s term of office last year was already a hanging game that the players did not approve of.