Victory in the Netherlands: DFB women celebrate Olympic ticket after all-or-nothing game

Victory in the Netherlands
DFB women celebrate Olympic ticket after all-or-nothing game

February 28, 2024, 10:36 p.m

The German women’s national soccer team has averted the next bitter disappointment after last year’s World Cup exit. In the Netherlands, interim national coach Hrubesch’s selection wins the game for third place in the Nations League – and qualifies for the Olympic Games.

Horst Hrubesch has fulfilled his mission and led the German footballers to their longed-for Olympic ticket. The selection of the interim national coach ultimately won the “final” for the last European ticket for the Summer Games 2-0 (0-0) in the Netherlands. Klara Bühl (66th) and substitute Lea Schüller (78th) scored for the 2016 Olympic champions in the game for third place in the Nations League.

“It feels incredibly good to have won here. I hope that we can just carry on this momentum. We are extremely happy. The summer is saved,” said Bühl beaming with joy on ZDF. “We are incredibly happy that we brought this power, this force, this energy performance onto the pitch for over 90 minutes today.” Almost seven months after the World Cup debacle, the European vice-champions finally have a reason to celebrate again.

Captain Alexandra Popp summed up: “I’m incredibly happy and very relieved that we decided the game in our favor.” The victory was “highly deserved”: “I am very, very proud of my team.” And Schüller commented: “I think we have to realize that now.” The Germans can now look forward to the group draw on March 20th, Hrubesch will remain in office until after the Olympics.

Five days after the semi-final defeat against France (1:2), Hrubesch changed his formation to two positions for the second and last chance. Sydney Lohmann and Jule Brand also started for Lea Schüller and Svenja Huth as a result of Lyon’s weak first half. Hrubesch was optimistic shortly before kick-off on ZDF. “We have a clear match plan. If we implement it, we should score one more goal than the opponent,” said the coach: “These are the games you want. We will push forward on the offensive.” This time, the DFB players approached the game with a lot of power and strength in duels and initially hardly gave the Dutch women any breathing space.

Schüller’s first goal doesn’t count

In front of 20,500 spectators in the Abe Lenstra Stadium, the Germans had to overcome a difficult situation in the 7th minute. After a weak defense from goalkeeper Merle Frohms, Wieke Kaptein missed the first good chance for the hosts. On the other side, Caitlin Dijkstra almost headed into her own goal (12th).

Afterwards, both teams couldn’t get past the offensive. It was clear to the players that there was a lot at stake. The focus was on the fight, there was hardly any flow of the game. Nevertheless, the Germans had the goal on their lips in the 25th minute. Sjoeke Nüsken hit the post with her shot from the edge of the penalty area. Defense chief Marina Hegering and Lena Oberdorf, who repeatedly disrupted the build-up of the game for the 2019 World Cup runners-up, provided the necessary security.

After half an hour, the Dutch took command. However, the DFB selection had good counterattack opportunities in this phase, which were carelessly missed. Hrubesch was close to despair on the sidelines – even when captain Alexandra Popp didn’t place her header well enough in the 43rd minute.

At the start of the second half, Schüller came on for Lohmann. The measure paid off immediately. The Germans increased the number of strikes. First Nüsken missed a good opportunity (48th), then Schüller scored (49th) – but was just offside. Even after that, the Hrubesch team stayed on the trigger. The lead was in the air, Oberdorf then initiated the decisive attack and provided the assist for Bühl with an energetic header. The Munich woman shot in from six meters. Oberdorf (76th) and Schüller (77th) could have increased the score. Schüller then managed it.