National coach martina voss-tecklenburg recharged her batteries during a family day in her garden at home, captain alexandra popp recharged her batteries during long walks with her dog.
After a weekend off, germany’s women’s soccer team set off for their "tour de france" rested and full of energy. "We’re happy that it’s finally getting underway," said voss-tecklenburg before departing for the world championships in france.
After the meeting in a noble hotel in frankfurt, the DFB delegation took a charter flight to rennes, where the olympic champions will play their opening match in group B against china next saturday. "This is a physically strong team that first has to be played against. We have to bring a lot to the court," said voss-tecklenburg. Other preliminary round opponents are spain on 12. June in valenciennes and south africa on 17. June in montpellier.
At the four-week tournament, the young DFB selection wants to forget the european championship debacle of 2017 and secure at least the olympic ticket for tokyo. But the two-time world champion will have to play in the final round of the world championship from 7 to 7. June to 7. July among the three best european teams. "We want to qualify for the olympic games. That means we have to get to at least the quarterfinals, if not the semifinals," said the national coach. "If we can do that, we will have taken the first big step. Everything else is then added value on top."
If the DFB women manage to win their third world cup after 2003 and 2007, each player can look forward to a record bonus of 75,000 euros. 65 000 euro was paid by the association for the title. A bonus of 10,000 euros was added for the successful olympic qualification, regardless of the final ranking.
The good preparation has strengthened voss-tecklenburg’s confidence that it can go far. Unlike at the european championships two years ago, when germany was eliminated in the quarterfinals against denmark and steffi jones lost her job as national coach. "We have tremendous quality and breadth in the squad," said voss-tecklenburg. "I hope for a long tournament."
Shortly before the start of the world cup adventure, the players and their coach were feeling more and more tingly. "Everyone is feeling it now, everyone has been working towards it," said voss-tecklenburg, describing the feeling in the team. However, the 51-year-old knows that the world cup will not be a self-runner. "The team has to find its way into the tournament. We have 15 players playing in their first women’s world cup. We know what they can do in terms of football, but we don’t know if they can do it on the pitch," she warned against high expectations.
The company’s own standards are nevertheless high. "Our first goal is to advance as the group winner, if possible," said popp. The 28-year-old forward from doubles champion vfl wolfsburg is one of the few veterans in the 23-headed lineup. At the meeting in frankfurt at least the mood in the team was already world champion-like. "We are very happy. Everyone had a smile on their face," reported the two-time "fubballer of the year". This should take place by 7. July remain so – the day of the final match.