Jonsdottir dispatches Germany women's national team in error-filled performance

The Icelandic women's national football team have claimed a historic first ever victory of the German Frauen-Nationalmannschaft in a European qualifier, in the process securing their own qualification for the UEFA Women's Euros in Switzerland next summer. Horst Hrubesch's DFB-Frauen - themselves already qualified for next summer's tournament - traveled to Reykjavik on Friday evening to contest the first of two Euro qualifiers before heading to the Olympics. Placed in a very tough Olympic group, there are plenty of causes for concern insofar as the German women are concerned. A mistake ridden-performance led to a 0-3 defeat.

German footballing legend Hrubesch - who will continue to handle the German women's national football team until Germany U17 trainer Christian Wück takes over following the Olympics - had a 23-player-roster from which to select his team. The 18-player roster for the Olympics has already been confirm. In the meantime, five additional women remained eligible for selection in both this evening's match and Tuesday's qualifier against Austria. Eintracht Frankfurt striker Nicole Anyomi was the lone non-olympic participant in the starting XI. 

Anyomi served up top alongside Lea Schüller in a 4-4-2. As has been standard practice over the past year, Jule Brand and Klara Bühl handled the wings. Breakout Chelsea start Sjouke Nüsken and SGE midfielder Elisa Senß worked a double-six set-up ahead of a back four consisting of Sarai Linder, Sara Doorsoun, Kathrin Hendrich, and Giulia Gwinn. Hrubesch went with his normal #1 Merle Frohms between the sticks. 

The DFB-Mädels found themselves under immediate pressure from their Icelandic hosts. Wolfsburg star Sveindis Jane Jonsdottir found herself rather unlucky not to net the opening goal in the 2nd minute. Thorsteinn Halldorsson's team continued to control the flow of the match with competent attacking waves until finally snatching the 1-0 off a corner in the 14th.

Keeper Frohms unfortunately failed to secure the service from the flag and central defender Ingibjörg Sigurdardottir had an easy finish into an empty net. Schüller, Anyomi, and Nüskens had chances to respond in kind, but weren't able to find quality finished. The first half thus concluded with the Islanders up 1-0. Schüller saw a potential equalizer disallowed for offside at 45+1.

Despite the fact that the team played a largely uninspired first-half, Hrubesch did not opt to make any changes at the break. The Germans continued to look choppy in their attack builds and were soon punished for their limp play. A number of unfocused passing errors off a German throw in enabled Wolfsburg's Jonsdottir to pounce. Alexandra Johannsdottir ended up polishing off the 2-0 at 52nd. 

Matters very nearly got worse four minutes later. A 58th-minute scramble in front of Frohm's goalmouth somehow ended without the hosts netting the 3-0. Hrubesch's side were able to find some fresh impetus via the insertion of Laura Freigang and Jaina Hinge at the hour-mark. Icelandic captain Glodis Perla Viggosdottir dramatically cleared a Freigang off the line in the 61st.

The "Ice-dottirs" remained by far the more alert and creative team. Apart from another double chance from Freigang in the 78th, the German guests weren't able to furnish much. The third and final goal came via some woeful passing miscommunications involving Frohms, Doorsoun, and Hendrich. Jonsdottir was once again on hand to pounce, adding a well-deserved goal to her two assists on the 83rd-minute 3-0. 

The DFB-Frauen will host another Euro qualifier in Hannover against Austria on Tuesday before heading to the Olympic tournament. The German women must contest a very difficult group consisting of Australia, Zambia, and the USWNT. Germany's Frauen-Nationalmannschaft has not secured a major title since winning the gold medal in the 2016 Olympic games.