Germany met Sweden in a friendly five months before the World Cup. In the end, the DFB team was still well served with the draw.
In the first international match of the year, the DFB women did not get more than a 0-0 draw against Sweden. The team of national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg was still well served against the Scandinavians with the goalless draw.
Goalkeeper Merle Frohms prevented the German team from falling behind several times, which remained surprisingly pale on the offensive.
That’s how the game went
Around the game in front of 20,169 fans, the Chancellor first met the national coach and then DFB President Bernd Neuendorf. The SPD politician wants to continue to campaign for equal pay in favor of DFB women with regard to tournament bonuses. “I’ll stay on the ball and I’ll keep doing that,” Scholz promised before kick-off on ZDF. The willingness to talk about these things has increased since the EM, said Scholz: “That’s a good sign.”
Popp, who with her 125th international match in the all-time international rankings in 14th place drew level with the current national coach, started as usual in the center of the attack in the old Revier. In defensive midfield, Sjoeke Nüsken replaced the actually irreplaceable Lena Oberdorf in the 4-3-3 system, which had proven itself at the European Championship.
But after the six-day training camp in Marbella, there was a lot of sand in the gears in the German build-up. Sweden, third in the World Cup, put pressure on early on, the hostesses had great trouble freeing themselves – almost only the fast-moving guests developed a goal threat in the first round. The strong DFB goalkeeper Merle Frohms had to intervene early on when a back pass from Felicitas Rauch fell short (7′).
Frohms with strong performance
Stina Blackstenius (22nd) even headed the ball into the goal, but the goal didn’t count due to an offside position. Voss-Tecklenburg, who was born in Duisburg, looked increasingly dissatisfied at her home game.
Only a long-range shot by Sara Däbritz (25th), who had returned from an operation on her ankle, gave Germany the first chance to score. When Kosovare Asllani (33′) shot, Frohms had to show her class and steered the ball over the crossbar.
After the change of sides, Voss-Tecklenburg brought in Lena Lattwein for the uncertain Nüsken. Sweden remained uncomfortable and powerful, the DFB team lacked the necessary precision in their recognizable efforts against a well-ordered top opponent – even the changeover to a back three didn’t help. In the end, the hosts were lucky: Frohms initially made a strong save against Blackstenius (79′), substitute Rytting Kaneryd hit the post (81′).
The World Cup preparations continue around Easter, when the game is to continue against strong competition. In the room are tests against former European champions Netherlands and World Cup title candidate Brazil. In the finals (July 20th to August 20th) Germany meets Morocco, Colombia and South Korea in the group stage.
++ Read the game in the ticker ++
Germany 0-0 (0-0) Sweden
90.+5. Minute – And the game is over. Germany and Sweden separate 0:0.
90. Minute – Nothing goes forward with the German team. The training camp in Marbella seems to have left its mark. There are five minutes of stoppage time.
85. Minute – We’re slowly getting into the final phase. Can an eleven score a goal here?
81. Minute – Next top chance for Sweden. Janogy is sent on the journey, but in the 1v1 he gets stuck on the German goalkeeper. However, the ball lands on the right edge of the penalty area at substitute Ryttin-Kaneryd, who has to make it 1-0 here. Her right-footed shot only lands on the outer post – and goes from there into the goal.
79. Minute – In the meantime, a tour of the guests would be absolutely deserved. Rolf plays a skilful pass to Blackstenius, who gets a free shot at the penalty spot. And again it is Frohms who saves the German team from falling behind with a strong foot reflex.
74. Minute – Good opportunity for the Swedes: After a corner, Frohms is able to clear with his fist, but the ball lands in the space between the six, which the German team culpably left free, where substitute Zigiotti Olme takes heart and thrashes the ball just wide of the left post.
