Women’s football DFB women expect 15,000 fans in Bochum: Victory is a must
Before the game against Iceland, the DFB women give their all in the final training session. photo
© Federico Gambarini/dpa
The DFB women are presenting themselves to their home audience for the first time since the preliminary round exit in Australia. Alexandra Popp and Co. are under a lot of pressure.
The German soccer players can expect 15,000 spectators in their first home game since the failed World Cup in Australia. This means that the stadium in Bochum would be sold out for the Nations League game against Iceland today (6.15 p.m./ZDF).
Capacity is normally 26,000 fans, but is limited this time. “We’re really pleased because we know that we may not be playing the best football right now, not that successfully, but that the support is still there,” said midfielder Sydney Lohmann from FC Bayern Munich. “We would obviously like to repay it with a win.”
The national coach will be represented again
Success is also urgently needed for Alexandra Popp’s vice-European champions: after the 2-0 defeat at the start in Denmark, the German team cannot afford any further slip-ups. Another defeat would be a serious setback in the fight for an Olympic ticket. Only the group winners qualify for the final round, where only two tickets for Paris 2024 will be awarded. Host France is seeded as the third European selection.
“It certainly won’t be easy. Things aren’t going so easily for us right now, but we’ll give it our all,” promised Lohmann. In Bochum, national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg will again be represented by her assistant Britta Carlson. Because Voss-Tecklenburg is ill, the World Cup analysis has not yet been completed after the preliminary round exit in Australia. The situation surrounding the 55-year-old, whose return is uncertain, is putting a strain on the German team.
“The knot isn’t breaking at the moment, the self-confidence isn’t the greatest,” admitted Carlson. The coaching team is trying to strengthen the team. “It’s important to win so that we can qualify for the Olympics.” The DFB Women’s next two games in Group 3 of League A will take place on October 27th in Sinsheim against Wales and on October 31st in Iceland.
dpa
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