Even before kick-off there was something to celebrate. Bernd Neuendorf enjoyed the moment when he honored former national coach Tina Theune for her “lifetime achievement” on behalf of the German Football Association (DFB). The 69-year-old is the first woman to receive this award from the association, after Udo Lattek, Otto Rehhagel, Jupp Heynckes and Ottmar Hitzfeld, among others, received this award for their services in the past.
Sara Däbritz was also able to be sure of the recognition of the association president on Friday, who presented the national player with a bouquet of flowers in the lead-up to the game against Wales, which brought an important 5-1 win later in the evening, for her 100th international match thanked her – and she made a cheerful impression. Otherwise Neuendorf has to deal with less amusing topics in connection with women’s football these days.
Germans have a chance at the Olympics
It was all the more pleasing for him that the cool autumn evening in Kraichgau produced a result from a sporting point of view that brought relief to the camp of Germans who had recently been plagued by disappointments and excitement. It was the first appearance directed by DFB returnee Horst Hrubesch.
And in his comeback as a substitute, the players did not deliver a flawless performance, but an energetic one, which earned them three more points in Group 3 of the Nations League. With now six points, the chance of qualifying for the 2024 Olympics in Paris was preserved, which Hrubesch von Neuendorf was given as an urgent task.
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Two weeks ago, the 72-year-old stepped in on an “interim basis” as a temporary assistant for Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, who was initially on sick leave for a month and then went on a vacation as agreed with the DFB, but gave lectures, including at a dental conference. She and the association are currently communicating through legal channels. No player recently spoke out in favor of Voss-Tecklenburg returning as national coach. The topic requires clarification.
The result against Wales didn’t make the circumstances any worse. The fact that the score was 1-1 at the break was due to the Germans’ sloppiness: only Lea Schüller from FC Bayern scored a goal (25th minute), numerous other scoring opportunities remained unused. And the usury of opportunities took its revenge: Angharad James scored the equalizer (42nd).
In the end, the Germans celebrated a clear victory. : Image: EPA
Hrubesch reacted to the lack of speed and finishing during the break. He substituted Sjoeke Nüsken (Chelsea) for Sara Däbritz (Lyon) and Linda Dallmann from Munich for Laura Freigang from Frankfurt. In doing so, he showed he had a good hand. After the restart, only sixty seconds had been played when Schüller headed home from Dallmann’s cross to take the lead again (46′).
In front of 20,107 spectators, Giulia Gwinn made it 3-1 (80th) with a penalty against an opponent who was clearly suffering from weak strength, which Nüsken followed up with 4-1 (86th), while Nicole Anyomi, who was also a substitute, was responsible for the final score (88.).
