Berger collects two assists as German women roll over Austria

Before an impressive crowd of over 43,000 supporters at Hannover's Heinz von Heiden Arena, Horst Hrubesch's German Frauen-Nationalmannschaft are off to the 2024 Women's Olympic tournament on a high note after topping Austria 4-0 in a 2025 Women's UEFA European Championship qualifier. Distinguished performances from several key actors, not to mention the team's back-up net-minder, may profoundly influence the manner in which Hrubesch prepares to set his team up in the "Group of Death". 

Hrubesch made five changes to the XI that he rolled out last Friday night in Reykjavik. Several notable mistakes from Merle Frohms led to Ann-Katrin Berger receiving an audition in net. Four shifts in the outfield saw Bibiane Schulze Solano starting over Sara Doorsoun in central defense, and Laura Freigang start over Nicole Anyomi in attack. Hrubesch maintained the 4-4-2 shape, yet went with a new double-six tandem. Janina Minge (not part of the Olympic squad) took over for Sjoeke Nüsken whilst Lena Oberdorf took Elise Senß' place. 

Irene Fuhrmann's ÖFB Mädels weren't necessarily inactive during the opening minutes, coming up with some creative attack charges and nearly catching their German hosts off guard on the counter on a pair of occasions. Oberdorf's return to the lineup was nevertheless certainly felt. The team talisman managed to break up play in her trademark fashion. The DFB-Mädels - with some amount of luck - were able to snatch an early lead in the 11th. Lea Schüller inadvertently extended a Jule Brand cross into Klara Bühl's path. The FCB striker at least made no mistake finishing off the 1-0.

With many stoppages and set plays over the course of the initial 45, neither team managed to really get into much of a flow after the opening goal. The Germans did - via rotations involving their two flankers and strikers - began to look significantly more fluid in the final ten minutes of the first-half. The 2-0, interestingly enough, came after Katrin-Berger astutely unlocked Brand up the right with a clever ball. Brand herself peeled off an exceptional solo run and dusted off Austrian CB Virginia Kirschberger before finishing from just inside the penalty area. 

Hrubesch went with one personnel change at the half. Senß relieved Freigang, immediately sliding behind Lea Schüller in a 4-2-3-1. The new SGE signing immediately made her imprint upon the match, nearly helping Schüller (via Bühl) net the 3-0 twice on a pair of chances just after the restart. Schüller found herself unlucky to hit the crossbar in the 50th. Two minutes later, Schüller would score a goal that counted. Senß registered a deserved assist with a brilliant midfield ball win, dribble, and cross into the box on the 52nd minute 3-0. 

The Germans continued to supply unrelenting pressure. Bühl's potential 4-0 was cleared off the line by Kirschberger in the 55th. Matters only calmed down well after the hour mark. An unfortunate occurrence with 20 minutes left to play elicited a collective gasp from the sidelines and crowd. Oberdorf exited proceedings injured in the 70th. With the result decided and one player already hurt, both teams played it loose and risk averse down the stretch. Bühl added the 4-0 at 90+3. Once again it was Berger unlocking the attacker and garnering an assist.