Despite bankruptcy and tournament worries: DFB women fly to the World Cup as number one in their hearts

Despite bankruptcy and tournament worries
DFB women fly to the World Cup as number one hearts

7/11/2023 2:23 p.m

The past few weeks have been unfortunate for the DFB women. Maue games and a nasty injury in the last friendly are a cause for concern. But the fans stand by their team. With a tailwind, the players and coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg can travel to Australia.

The tailwind came just in time for departure. Only a few hours before the German soccer players boarded their World Cup plane in the evening, Alexandra Popp and her colleagues were able to feel like the new number one in the country. Just in time for the start of the title mission at the finals in Australia and New Zealand (July 20th to August 20th), the women have overtaken the men’s selection in terms of sympathy values.

In a representative survey, 52 percent of those questioned stated that they found the women’s team more likeable than the men’s team. The reasons given for this were that women’s football was “more original” and “not so exploited financially”. In addition, the players are committed to equality, they are “more down-to-earth” and “closer”.

The happy news, which the polling institute Norstat found out on behalf of “Playboy”, reached the German soccer players before they made their way to Terminal 2 of Frankfurt Airport. Emirates flight 048 is scheduled to take off at 10:20 p.m. The first stage takes just under six and a half hours to Dubai, from where we continue to Down Under.

The Federal President also sent best wishes for the trip. Frank-Walter Steinmeier gave the team a virtual farewell. “Dear players, you are now embarking on the great adventure of the World Cup,” said Steinmeier in a joint Instagram video with his wife Elke Büdenbender from the garden of Bellevue Palace: “We wish you a place at the top. Have a good trip, good luck – and good luck.”

Farewell to families, a child with them

In the days after the botched dress rehearsal against Zambia (2:3) on Friday, the protégés of national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg were able to collect themselves again at home – but the relaxation is now over. “It must be clear to us that we have to give 100 percent against everyone,” said captain Popp. “We mustn’t underestimate any opponent.”

But not only sporting thoughts go along on the journey in the direction of the German base camp in Wyong, around 90 kilometers north of Sydney. After all, there is a team on the plane that also represents modern society. Melanie Leupolz goes on board with her child and babysitter, and Svenja Huth has to say goodbye to her heavily pregnant wife before departure.

Despite bankruptcy, Popp is confident

The travel group’s goal is still the final – despite the shock against Zambia, including the loss of the World Cup for Carolin Simon because of her cruciate ligament rupture and the two-time world champion’s overall poor performance in recent months. After participating in the final at the European Championships last year, the hoped-for further development has not materialized so far. Nevertheless, Popp is confident: “I’m not worried. We still have a few days.”

The first World Cup game against Morocco is on July 24th, followed by further matches in the preliminary round with Colombia (July 30th) and South Korea (August 3rd). There are 23 players in the squad, with Janina Minge from SC Freiburg traveling to the Mercure Kooindah Waters Hotel as a substitute. Finally, clearer Lena Oberdorf, who injured her thigh, and defender Marina Hegering, who suffers from foot problems, are injured.

“We will now use the time in Australia to swear in as best we can for our upcoming tasks,” said Voss-Tecklenburg. But in contrast to the games, the start of the World Cup adventure can be overslept for the time being. “Sleep of course,” said Lea Schüller regarding the long flights: “A total of ten hours is desired.”