“If something goes wrong…”
DFB women have a double chance at the Olympics
December 11, 2023, 4:53 p.m
The Olympic qualification formula for German soccer players is simple: they have to win one of two games in the Nations League final tournament. Because semi-final opponent France is already certain to be the Olympic host. For coach Horst Hrubesch, the draw brings back memories of 1982.
The German footballers got their wish in the further Olympic qualification with France. Interim national coach Horst Hrubesch’s team will compete against their neighbors in the semi-finals of the Nations League final tournament on February 23rd and would certainly be there in Paris 2024 if they win. This was the result of the UEFA draw in Nyon/Switzerland. The second pairing is between Spain and the Netherlands.
“We are very happy about the draw. Of course I would have liked to have turned it around,” said Hrubesch, referring to the fact that there is no home game. “France are a seasoned and mature team that will demand a lot from us.” The final and the game for third place will take place on February 28th. The German women have to compete away again.
The two finalists have secured the Olympic ticket. Should France, which is set to host the Summer Games, make it to the final, the third-placed team in Paris would also be there. That’s why Hrubesch’s hopes rested on France as an opponent. “If something goes wrong, we have a second option,” explained the 72-year-old. It is still unclear whether Hrubesch will also be on the sidelines at the Olympic Games if he is successful.
Hrubesch sees “positive sign”
The DFB women recently disappointed in the 0-0 draw in Wales in the Nations League. In the end, the 3-0 win against Denmark was enough to win the group. Now the German team will avoid world champions Spain, at least in the semi-finals. The French women around Wendie Renard are hoping for their first major title in Paris.
The German selection around captain Alexandra Popp has two good memories of this year’s World Cup quarter-finalists: At the European Championships 2022 in England, the DFB women beat France 2-0 in the semi-finals, and in the friendly in Dresden in November 2-1 – in In both cases, Popp scored both goals. If the DFB selection misses qualifying for Paris, the next big tournament will not take place until the summer of 2025. Then the European Championships will take place in Switzerland, with the European Qualifiers starting in April.
Hrubesch was reminded of his active football career by the draw. “You just have to go back to 1982, where I played with Platini in the semi-final against the French,” said Hrubesch: “I now see that as a positive sign.”