Women’s European Championship: Why the last DFB group game is still important

At first glance, one might think that the sporting value of the last German group game at Women’s European Championship in Switzerland is limited. After all, both the German team and the opponents from Sweden have already qualified for the quarter -finals.

However, how important a victory against the Swedes would be could only turn out in the further course of the tournament. The Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich (9 p.m.) deals with group victory in Group C-and thus about the question of which opponents can be expected in the next games. Because Sweden has the better goal difference after the first two games, the DFB women have to win to take over first place.

Which opponent is waiting in the quarter -finals is still uncertain and only clarifies on Sunday. It could be France, defending champion England or the recently weakening Dutchman. However, the view of the next rounds may be even more important.

Should Germany secure the group victory, the team of national coach Christian Wück would avoid Spain. And the Spaniards present themselves again as a team of the extra class at this tournament, all of them won their three group games-with an average of almost five goals. As a group leader, a meeting with the world champion would only be possible in the final. Second, this would be the case in the semi -finals, provided both teams come so far.

In addition, the DFB team would like to use the last group game to get better and to get themselves in top form for the further tournament. “The first place in the group would have the advantage that self -confidence and self -confidence in the team would remain at a very high level,” says national coach Christian Wück.

The DFB women won their first two games against Poland (2-0) and Denmark (2: 1). But the national coach was not completely satisfied with the achievements of his players. “We communicated that again and again and, above all, addressed it internally,” said Wück.

Against Denmark, the team initially fell behind, and later also warned warning words to goalkeeper Ann-Kathrin Berger because of her risky style of play. Despite her two goals, striker Lea Schüller has not yet worked well into the game. Sweden is also the first real touchstone during the European Championship.

All the reasons why DFB President Bernd Neuendorf “expects an increase”. Klara Bühl also sees Sweden “a great opportunity to collect good moments again that bring you together”.

The DFB team against Denmark has caught the loss of the injured captain Giulia Gwinn. The game against Sweden offers another opportunity to organize a strong opponent without organizing the leading player before going into the KO games.

Wück therefore wants to do without personnel experiments. The national coach rejected the considerations of leaving the central defender Rebecca Knaak, which is preloaded with a yellow card with a yellow card, the national coach: “Should she no longer play until the final? That doesn’t matter for me.”