Some would say they are the favorites. Can they do it again?
For Horst Hrubesch, this is his second spell managing this world-class side. But will their performance improve under his leadership?
In their recent outings, Germany qualified for the Women’s Euros in 2025, which will be held in Switzerland, and secured a bronze medal after defeating the Netherlands in the playoff of the Women’s Nations League.
Can their high-class performances continue to bring the German side Olympic glory?
Historically, Die Nationalelf have been dominant in this competition, with a gold medal and three bronze medals to their name. This record makes them one of the most successful teams in Olympic history. However, they did not qualify for the last Olympics in Tokyo.
Germany begins the Olympics in Group B alongside Zambia, Australia, and the United States of America.
All of these teams have had successful campaigns and consistently perform well. It will take a tactical masterpiece to overcome these opponents.
The USA, now led by highly experienced and respected coach Emma Hayes, enters her first international tournament, adding another layer of competition.
Squad-wise, the loss of Lena Oberdorf in midfield is significant due to her exceptional talent for controlling the game. Will this impact Germany’s performance?
It’s a massive role to fill, but Chelsea’s Sjoeke Nüsken, through her versatility, is a worthy choice for the German side.
Capable of playing in both defense and midfield, she can provide an attacking or defensive edge, making her a prime candidate to take over Oberdorf’s role.
Ones to Watch
As mentioned, Nüsken will be eager to prove herself worthy to Hrubesch to earn a starting spot. She brings valuable experience from playing in the Women’s Super League (WSL), exposing her to top players from major national teams.
Lea Schüller and Alexandra Popp are also vying to impress the coach.
Another player to watch is Wolfsburg’s Jule Brand, a versatile young talent who can play both defensively and offensively. She is looking to make her mark in the national team.
Additionally, the leader and legend of the side, Alexandra Popp, will be one to watch as she aims to continue adding to her legacy.
Germany will start their quest for gold on Thursday, 25 July, against Tony Gustavsson and the Matildas before facing the USA on Sunday, 28 July, and Zambia on the 31 July.
Germany needs a strong start in their opening matches to boost their confidence and provide the momentum needed to advance through the group stages.
Featured image courtesy of Steffen Prößdorf via Wikimedia Commons. No changes were made to this image. License details found here.
