Germany will enter the 2023 Women’s World Cup as one of the favourites but will be made to work hard for their supposed third honour. Voss-Tecklenburg will be carrying an extremely talented squad to the tournament with the high expectations and the pressure that comes with it. The team are desperate to build their supremacy of the past in the tournament again.
History
Germany are the second most successful side in the FIFA Women’s World Cup having won the competition twice. The success came back-to-back as well in the 2003 and 2007 editions. They are the only nation from Europe other than Norway to get their hands on this iconic trophy. Germany have reached at least the quarterfinals in each occasion of the Women’s World Cup since the tournament’s official recognition in 1991. Die Nationalelf also collected 30 wins in 44 games played at the stage so far and scored a whopping 121 goals, second only to record holders USWNT. Three-time FIFA World Player of the Year and second-all-time leading goal-scorer in the tournament, Birgit Prinz has netted 14 times for Germany with her highest tally of seven goals in a single edition coming in 2003.
Previous Tournament
The 2019 tournament could have been more productive for Germany than a last-eight finish considering the way they went about in France. They topped the group consisting of fellow Europeans Spain, Asian powerhouse China and South Africa without conceding a goal. The trend continued with a 3-0 thrashing of Nigeria in the round of 16 stage. Against Sweden in the quarterfinals, Germany took the lead through Lina Magull and seemed to be on their way. But their elegant opposition struck back in the 22nd minute through Eva Jakobsson and got the winner through current Arsenal forward Stina Blackstenius three minutes after the break. Voss-Tecklenburg’s side also missed two clear opportunities at the end to exit the tournament.
Qualification for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
Germany finished top of their qualification group with five points clear of Portugal in second. Losing just one game against Serbia but picking up wins in the rest of the nine available. Bayern Munich forward Lea Schüller scored 15 of the 47 goals by the team in the qualifiers while only five were leaked.
Preparation for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
The preparatory friendlies bought mixed results for the Euro finalists. Victories were earned against the likes of the USA and Netherlands, the teams in the 2019 final, but also upset like losing 3-2 to Zambia in the last friendly match before the tournament. In that match, Germany climbed back from 2-0 down to 2-2 in the stoppage time only for the African nation to score again from almost the last kick of the dramatic match. It is safe to say Die Nationalelf will be entering the tournament with inconsistent form.
Germany Squad for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
Goalkeepers: Ann-Kartin Berger (Chelsea), Merle Frohms (Wolfsburg), Stina Johannes (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Defenders: Sara Doorsoun (Eintracht Frankfurt), Chantal Hagel (Hoffenheim), Marina Hegering (Wolfsburg), Kathrin Hendrich (Wolfsburg), Sophia Kleinherne (Eintracht Frankfurt), Sjoeke Nusken (Eintracht Frankfurt), Felicitas Rauch (Wolfsburg)
Midfielders: Sara Dabritz (Lyon), Laura Freigang (Eintracht Frankfurt), Svenja Huth (Wolfsburg), Lena Lattwein (Wolfsburg), Melanie Leupolz (Chelsea), Lina Magull (Bayern Munich), Lena Oberdorf (Wolfsburg)
Forwards: Alexandra Popp (Wolfsburg), Lea Schuller (Bayern Munich), Jule Brand (Wolfsburg), Klara Buhl (Bayern Munich), Nicole Anyomi (Eintracht Frankfurt), Sydney Lohmann (Bayern Munich)
Head Coach: Martina Voss-Tecklenburg
Carolin Simon was unfortunate to rupture her ligament in the last preparatory friendly against Zambia and hence had to withdraw from the camp. Janina Minge of Freiburg has been called in as a replacement. Winger Paulina Krumbiegel also dropped out due to a muscular problem. The top three clubs of Frauen Bundesliga last season make up the majority of the German squad with Eintracht Frankfurt’s dream qualification to the Women’s Champion League also bringing their players into the spotlight. Other than that, the squad is similar to the one called for the Euros a year back. Germany’s legend Dzsenifer Marozsan quit international football months back due to her injury drawbacks.
Strength
The talent in the squad is immense with most of the players bringing versatility to play in different roles when needed. This makes them an unpredictable opposition. The depth is also one of the notable features for Germany as they are capable of fielding two or more sides with equal quality. Having two lethal strikers in Lea Schüller but firstly Alexandra Popp, the frontline is one of the best in the tournament. With similarly good wingers and attacking midfielders, it won’t be a shock to see Germany flooding goals in the tournament.
Weakness
When things are not going their way, the team often lacks ideas. Even if they manage to swing games to their favour, Germany have little ways to sustain it as found in the Zambia defeat or even in the Euro final in 2022. The same case could be made in the Women’s World Cup four years ago. Even having Popp in attack or Hegering at the back, the leadership in keeping the team together is often not there. Mistakes creeping in crucial periods of the tournament will cost the team large.
Key Player: Alexandra Popp
Alexandra Popp is a player in major tournaments as proven time after time. In the last Euros, the Wolfsburg striker was joint-top scorer with six goals in six matches while also finding the net three times in the last two Women’s World Cups. Also the go-to striker for Germany, the 32-year-old also pops up at the right moment for the elation of the fans. A serial goal-scorer, Popp scored 16 goals in 16 starts for her club last season with also scoring in the Women’s Champions League final. Someone who is addicted to scoring goals and will be a contender for the Golden Boot again.
How will Germany Lineup at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023?
Germany FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Groups & Fixtures
Group H
Colombia
Germany
South Korea
Morocco
Fixtures
Monday, 24 July 2023
Germany vs Morocco - Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne (14:00)
Sunday, 30 July 2023
Germany vs Colombia - Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney (15:00)
Thursday, 03 August 2023
South Korea vs Germany - Suncorp Stadium, Milton (15:30)
Prediction
Germany have an easy group to move past provided there are no upsets on the cards. The real test will begin from knockouts where they can face the likes of Brazil in the last 16 stage or Euro winners England again. Whether the squad have enough, more on mentality than quality, to overcome those challenges is more of a question than answers for the team now. Winning the World Cup looks a far bigger task for the side but if they can play to their potential, Die Nationalelf could dig deeper into the tournament.
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