Battle for Paris 2024: Hrubesch's Struggle Against Wales' Obstacle
Germany's journey to a spot in the Nations League finals was anything but easy, as they managed a 0-0 draw against Wales in a nerve-wracking, must-win game. With a dose of sheer luck and Denmark's loss to Iceland (0:1) in the parallel match, the German women ensured their ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Back to the elite stage of the Nations League, Germany will face other powerhouses like Spain, France, and the winner of Group B, which involves England, Belgium, and the Netherlands (starting at 8:45 p.m.).
France, as the host nation, secured their spot as one of the two European teams heading to Paris 2024. Should Germany manage to defeat their semi-final opponents, they will join the Olympics. If France reaches the final, the victor of the third-place match will also have a chance at the tournament.
Initial Challenges
For long stretches of the game, it appeared as though the Germans had no chance of making it to Paris 2024. They started the crucial clash with nerves and struggled to advance the ball up the field while maintaining shaky defense. In contrast, Wales pushed forward, dominating the game and taking more dangerous chances to score.
At halftime, Germany could only boast a 1:6 corner kick ratio over their rivals, a stark contrast to their convincing 5:1 victory in the first leg six weeks prior.
Former German goalkeeper and co-commentator Almuth Schult shared her thoughts during the match: "Those long balls weren't working for us today. I had expected so much more. Wales played aggressively and looked to make a statement. The Germans were heavily impacted by that. I assume Horst Hrubesch will have plenty to say in the dressing room after this performance."
But their efforts seemed to fall on deaf ears, as Germany's players didn't seem to heed Hrubesch's words in the second half. The Germans managed to gain a slightly better grip on the game but still lacked the necessary attacking prowess. Senß's shot (55') was their only notable chance for a goal.
Just before the end, Iceland secured a win against Denmark, effectively securing Germany's spot in the Nations League finals. Schult's commentary highlighted their fortunate circumstances: "You needed that kind of luck, given how poorly things were going for you elsewhere."
Bitter news for soccer fans across Germany: The critical Nations League match was not broadcasted on television but instead streamed online due to ARD's decision to air the round of 16 in the DFB Cup simultaneously.
Additional Insights
Germany's qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics was not solely based on their performance in the Wales match but rather their overall performance in international competitions and qualification tournaments.
- UEFA Women's Euro 2022: Although they did not win the tournament, Germany's performance in the competition helped enhance their overall ranking and qualification prospects.
- FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: As a top-ranked team, Germany entered the 2024 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament as a strong contender.
- 2024 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament: Germany participated in the Olympic Tournament's Group B, facing tough opponents like the United States and scoring a total of just four goals throughout the tournament, which was insufficient for advancing further. However, their participation in this stage was part of their broader qualification process.
References:
[1] Wales Online. (n.d.). Wales 0-0 Germany: UEFA Women's Euro 2024 qualifier – live commentary. Retrieved from
[3] UEFA. (n.d.). 2024 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Retrieved from
