Unconventional Prep: No Friendly Games for DFB Women Before Euro 2025
World Cup Preparation: Coach Wück Takes Bold Step
By Anja Rau
Down a pitcher or two of Sangria and soaking up the Spanish sun, the German women's national football squad should be in high spirits. But instead of sunbathing and savoring their vacations, these powerhouses in black-and-white Puma kits are gearing up for the grind. With the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 just a stone's throw away, the women's football division is turning heads with an unorthodox approach to their preparations.
Posting beachy photos and sizzling selfies on Instagram, these players may seem as if they're living their best lives. However, the flip side of the coin reveals a team focused on burning their vacation days as they prepare for international glory in July 2025.
The 2025 UEFA Women's Euro, set to take place across numerous cities throughout Europe, is the ultimate goal for a team brimming with talent and eager to reclaim the championship title they lost four years ago at the hands of England. The team, led by captain Giulia Gwinn, seeks their first international championship, an ambition that has surely fueled their motivation to hit the ground running upon their return from their vacations.
The Bundesliga season has wrapped up, but the break is deceptive. The players didn't take much time off, instead tackling additional matches in the UEFA Women's Nations League against the Netherlands (4-0) and Austria (6-0). These victories have shown that this team is absolutely fearsome in a competitive atmosphere and could very well enter the tournament as one of the favorites.
Training camps start in Herzogenaurach on July 12, 2022, but the team will only be given 16 days to relax and enjoy some well-deserved downtime. Bundestrainer Christian Wück has opted to scrap any friendly games that are typically scheduled before a major tournament. Instead, the team will jump right into intensive training sessions to focus on exactly what they need to do to bring the trophy home.
Wück explains that their primary objective is to get the players—"where Julius Balsmeier has them" — in tip-top shape. The fitness coach will be working with them to prepare their bodies for the rigorous demands of the tournament. Once they reach an acceptable level of fitness, they can pilot tactical training strategies.
But this decision to forgo friendlies isn't without risk. According to some, it's impossible to truly gauge the success of a tactical strategy in a controlled environment, especially when the opposition knows exactly what the other team is planning. Given Wück's recent player rotations, management of injuries, and uncertain lineup combinations, some experts believe this decision is surprising.
As the team begins their preparations, there's no shortage of competition from their European contemporaries. England is testing against Jamaica, France takes on Brazil, Spain is set to face Japan, and the Netherlands battles Finland. Apart from Germany, only Italy, Portugal, Wales, and group opponents Denmark have not planned any games before the tournament.
The question remains: Is this Germany's plan to out-strategize their opponents in the absence of a testing ground? While the move is unconventional, these courageous women have taken risks before, and their unwavering determination could very well pave the way to success.
As they dive into training, only time will tell if their unorthodox approach is the key to success. One thing's for sure: On July 4, 2025, these may not be the WAGs you envision swimming in the Mediterranean ahead of a glitzy red-carpet event. Instead, they'll be the ones on the pitch, competing for gold in the UEFA Women's Euro 2025.
- The women's football division of the German national team, in preparation for the UEFA Women's Euro 2025, has adopted an unconventional approach, opting to prioritize intense training sessions over friendly games, as stated by Bundestrainer Christian Wück, aiming to get the players into peak physical condition.
- Despite the controversy surrounding the decision to forgo friendly games, the German team's unusual approach could prove an advantage, much like their previous risks, as they strive for gold in the sports-analysis-driven world of football.
