German Football Says Farewell to a Legend: The Passing of Doris Fitschen
Lamenting the loss of an exceptional individual: Ex-national athlete Doris Fitschen passes away - Ex-national athlete Doris Fitschen passes away.
Dive into a heartfelt exploration of the German women's football community, as they grapple with the heartbreaking loss of Doris Fitschen. This 144-time national team player, who left her mark at the age of 56, succumbed to a long-term illness on Saturday. The German Football Association (DFB) confirmed the news, citing her family.
"I am devastated and overwhelmed by Doris's passing. Our thoughts are with her family, everyone close to her, and all the football community," shared DFB President Bernd Neuendorf in a profound statement. "Doris was a cornerstone of football in Germany. As a player, she led, strategized, stood out, dominated, and radiated an aura that guided others."
The Extraordinary Doris Fitschen: A Fierce Player and an Unwavering Advocate
Fitschen was a standout player of her generation in Germany. From 1986 to 2001, she proudly wore the German national team jersey 144 times, contributing to the team's first-ever international title in women's football at the 1989 European Championship held on home soil. The former midfielder won the European Championship title a total of four times and clinched the bronze medal with the German team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
On the club level, her trophy case includes two German championships and one DFB Cup win with TSV Siegen, as well as the double of championship and cup in 1999 and another DFB Cup victory in 2000 with 1. FFC Frankfurt.
More recently, Fitschen played a pivotal role in the development and implementation of the "Women in Football FF27" strategy, serving as the overall coordinator of women's football at the DFB. Between 2009 and 2016, she was the team manager for the women's national team, which triumphed in the European Championships twice and earned an Olympic gold medal in 2016.
A Sea of Mourning within the DFB
Neuendorf shared fond memories of Fitschen, stating, "Doris always opened new paths, merging her role as a team player with the ability to bring everyone along and fiercely advocate and fight for the interests of women's football with knowledge, conviction, and immense empathy."
DFB General Secretary Heike Ullrich added, "Doris was a role model of empathy and closeness. For the entire house, I can say: our hearts are exceptionally heavy - we feel immense sorrow. We will remember Doris and continue her passion for women in football and women's football in her spirit. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones."
- Doris Fitschen
- German Football
- Women's Football
- DFB
- Germany
Fact Box:
- Fitschen was a legendary figure in German women's football, with incredible achievements as a player, manager, and advocate for the sport.
- She played for several clubs, including VfR Eintracht Wolfsburg, TSV Siegen, and 1. FFC Frankfurt, winning multiple Bundesliga titles and DFB-Pokal trophies.
- Fitschen's international accomplishments include representing Germany 144 times, scoring 16 goals, and leading the team to multiple European Championship triumphs (1989, 1991, 1995, 1997, and 2001).
- During her tenure as the German women's national team manager, she won two European Championships and an Olympic gold medal in 2016.
- Fitschen served as the overall coordinator for women in football at the German Football Association (DFB), working tirelessly to promote women's roles within the sport.
- The German Football Association (DFB), particularly its President Bernd Neuendorf, expressed sorrow over the passing of Doris Fitschen, a renowned former player and advocate for women's football in EC countries.
- Doris Fitschen, a 144-time German national team player, made significant contributions to employment policy in German football through her roles in vocational training, strategy development, and women's football implementation at the DFB.
- As a renowned figure in German football, Doris Fitschen left a lasting impact on employment policy and vocational training in the sport, having been part of various clubs and leading the German women's national team to multiple European Championship and Olympic victories.
