German women present strong rebuke to critics with 4-0 thrashing of Denmark
In front of a crowd of some 15,700 live supporters (that featured exceptionally strong German traveling support), Martina Voss-Tecklenburg's German women's national team issued a strong rebuke to critics of their current form with a 4-0 blowout of Denmark in their opening Euros group stage match.
The German Mädels exacted revenge over the team that eliminated them from the 2017 Women's Euros with a wholly convincing win.
The German Mädels exacted revenge over the team that eliminated them from the 2017 Women's Euros with a wholly convincing win.
| Photo: Steffen Prößdorf, CC BY-SA 4.0 |
Deb trainer Martina Voss-Tecklenburg maintained the same XI that defeated Switzerland 7-0 in the team's lone pre-tournament friendly. Eintracht Frankfurt's Merle Frohms kept a hold on her place in goal, a spot which she recently snatched from the more experienced Almuth Schult. Kathrin Hendrich and Marina Hegering served as the center halve duo, flanked by Giula Gwinn on the right and Felicitas Rauch on the left.
Young 20-year-old phenom Lena Oberdorf operated ahead of the back-four from a suppressed divot position. FC Bayern München's Lina Magull and PSG star Sara Däbritz worked ahead of Oberdorf. VfL Wolfsburg's Svenja Huth--named squad captain in the absence of club teammate Alexandra Popp--took her place on the right side of the attacking trident. Bayern attackers Klara Bühl joined her in the front three. The constellation was definitely a straightforward 4-3-3.
The German Mädels did exhibit some opening fixture nerves, but were able to settle down and create chances almost immediately. Gwinn was able to play Huth through in the 4th. The captain's cross forced an aggressive collect out of Danish keeper Lene Christiansen. Huth created another fine opportunity for Bühl less than a minute later.
Generally doing a good job forcing turnovers off the Danish back-three, Voss-Tecklenburg's charges kept the pressure on. Magull struck the crossbar with a great effort after the Mädels flooded the box in the 10th. Three minutes later, both Rauch and Schüller hit the frame of the goal on a play that, admittedly, was ruled offside.
After knocking on the door largely uninterrupted for the next 11 minutes, the DFB-girls finally got a much deserved goal in the 21st. Magull did extremely well to step up and strip the ball of Danish defender Stine Ballisager. Magull followed up her forced turnover with an equally forceful finish from about ten meters out on the right.
Denmark were able to manage little against the dominant German possession game, but DFB keeper Frohms had to be on her toes to make a magnificent sprawl save on Signe Bruun in the 29th. Bruun was unexpectedly unlocked by the ever-dangerous Pernille Harder; the Danish superstar who made the jump to Chelsea after four seasons lighting up the FrauenBundesliga for Wolfsburg.
The chance proved an aberration. Germany continued to dominate the flow for the duration of the half, albeit with the offensive pressure easing up a little bit as time wore on. Schüller got off a couple of efforts in the final five minutes of the opening 45. Despite a stark advantage in terms of xG, the Mädels took a slender one-goal-lead into the dressing room.
The Germans picked up right where they left off after the restart. Some fine rotations from Däbritz, Magull, Bühl, and Huth left the Danes scrambling to keep up in the opening ten minutes. Magull rifled off another vicious effort on target in the 56th. Keeper Christiansen could only deflect out for a corner, and the Germans doubled their advantage off the ensuing set-piece.
Magull recorded an assist this time with the corner service. Schüller headed home easily past Christiansen, who did bolt off her line rather irresponsibly. Voss Tecklenburg introduced Popp, Lena Lattwein, and young talent Jule Brand shortly after the hour mark. Linda Dallman would also later make an appearance in relief of Magull.
The Danes--themselves refreshed by four substitutions--were able to look mildly dangerous down the stretch, unleashing a few counters and earning three corners. The final result of the fixture nevertheless never truly felt as if it was in doubt. Some four minutes after what the Mädels assumed was the 3-0 was disallowed for offside substitute Lattwein did officially make it 3-0 in the 78th.
The scoring sequence began with another deft free-kick service from Magull. Oberdorf rose high to meet the delivery and head down for Lattwein, who actually scored her first international 17 caps for the FrauenNationalmannschaft. Popp then got a much-needed early tournament tally in the 84th. The team captain emphatically finished off a Lohmann cross after a sumptuous passing sequence for the Mädels.
The big win currently leaves the German women tied for first place atop Group B with Spain. La Roja Feminina--despite losing Ballon d'or winner Alexia Putellas to an ACL tear three days ago--were still able to dismantle Finland 4-1 earlier in the day. This sets up a massive showdown between Germany and Spain back at the Brentford community stadium on Tuesday night back at the Brentford stadium.
