2023-12-01 22:37:00
A show of will in the Nations League showdown, the Olympic dream is alive: The German footballers have preserved their last chance for the big goal of Paris 2024.
The team of interim national coach Horst Hrubesch fought to win 3-0 (2-0) against Denmark in the icy cold of Rostock and can still hope to take part in the summer games next year thanks to their success.
“The girls have rewarded themselves for the effort they put in and I’m happy about that,” said Hrubesch at the Sportschau microphone after the game.
5th group game day arrow right To the live ticker: Germany – Denmark arrow right
Popp as a trailblazer
Alexandra Popp (14th), Marina Hegering (25th) and Klara Bühl (90th + 3) scored for the vice-European champions, who drew level with Denmark on points (12), won the direct duel and moved on as the new ones Frontrunners now have their fate in their own hands.
A win in the final game against Wales on Tuesday (7.30 p.m./live stream and live ticker at sportschau.de) is enough in the long-distance duel. Only the group winners can fight for one of two European tickets to the Olympics at the final tournament of the Nations League in February.
Hrubesch had forbidden waiting
After the 2-0 defeat in the first leg, Hrubesch’s route for the duel with the Danes was clear despite the precarious starting position. “It makes no sense to wait for anything, we want to determine what happens on this pitch,” the 72-year-old emphasized.
And the DFB team took the coach at his word. Popp and Co. ran straight up to the Danes in front of a sold-out crowd of 19,180 spectators and were aggressive in the duels. With the ball in possession, the team moved forward at speed, the captain rewarded her offensive efforts with the opening goal with her head. Hegering followed suit a little later and increased the score.
Frohm comeback after concussion
In goal, Hrubesch again relied on Merle Frohms, who returned after recovering from a concussion. The keeper wasn’t challenged much in the opening minutes, but the Danes got better and better into the game. Frohms had to intervene several times and, among other things, reacted quickly to Sanne Troelsgaard’s follow-up shot after a corner (30th).
But Germany also continued to apply pressure, but at first they repeatedly got stuck in the Danish defense. Even after the break, the hosts, now with debutant Elisa Senß on the field, didn’t let up. Sydney Lohmann (51′) and Hegering (59′) tried from a distance, but the shots just missed.
Denmark was very weak offensively
The DFB team repeatedly pushed the Danes deep into their own half, but initially with no further success. There was little offensive from Denmark and if an advance was successful, the German defense was there first. Frohms also made a strong save against Frederikke Thögersen (62′), Germany continued to look for a way forward, Bühl put the lid on it in stoppage time.
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