Enthusiastic German rugby teams attract thousands in Hamburg
Lightning Strikes Twice as Germany Faces Tough Challenges at Hamburg 7s
The sold-out Hamburg 7s witnesses the fierce competitors of the German rugby teams, with passion, team spirit, and adrenaline filling the air.
First up, the German women's team, the "GirlGang," took on Georgia in the opening match. With the roaring crowd backing them, they delivered a dominating performance, securing a place in the quarterfinals with a 45:0 victory.
Quarterfinals: GirlGang Tangles with France
With France as their quarterfinal opponent, the tension was thick. Having defeated them the day before, the women's team embraced the challenge against the world's elite, who boasted Olympians among their ranks. In a heart-pounding match, France proved their superiority, winning 31:19. Despite being behind by 19 points at one point, the German team refused to back down, galvanizing the audience with every meter gained and attack thwarted.
GirlGang Captain Zimmat: "Mega Cheers Give Us an Extra Spark"
In an interview after the game, captain Mette Zimmat expressed her pride, praising the crowd's energy that pushed her team forward. Recognizing areas for improvement, she emphasized the team's focus on their upcoming match for fifth place against Belgium, promising to combat the semi-professional competition with fierce determination.
The Wolfpack Falls to Spain Twice: First in the Group Stage, and Again in the Round of 16
The men's team, known as the "Wolfpack," shared the energy and enthusiasm in their matches against some of Europe's top competitors, notably Spain and France. In the quarterfinals, they battled courageously but were eliminated by Spain in a thrilling, narrow defeat with a final score of 14-12.
Despite the disappointment, captain Bastian van der Bosch, who was playing his last tournament for Germany, voiced optimism about the team's performance and his satisfaction with playing his final game at home.
Looking ahead to their match for fifth place, the teams will look to recover from their heartbreaking losses, striving to close the tournament on a high note.
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Although they lost narrowly, the teams remain eager to compete and build on their performances. With focus and determination, both the "Wolfpack" and the "GirlGang" will play for fifth place on Sunday.
[1] Official Hamburg 7s Championship Series Results
[2] Germany Rugby Union Official Website
[3] Spain Rugby Union Official Website
[4] French Rugby Union
[5] Hamburg 7s Tournament Summary and Highlights
In the upcoming match for fifth place, the German "GirlGang" and the "Wolfpack" will work together to recover from their recent losses, aiming to showcase their performance improvements in European leagues, particularly in football-style rugby. The men's team, or the "Wolfpack", will be determined to bounce back from their consecutive defeats against Spain, much like a soccer game's rebounding strategy.