DFB.de: That’s certainly true. Come March it will have been 13 years. What moments will you cherish when you look back on your career?
Mittag: The women’s team has lifted many trophies in that time, and every one has its own story and means a lot to me. Of course the victory in the Olympics in 2016 is still fresh in my memory, which was really special because it was the first gold medal for any German national team. That really was something else.
DFB.de: Which people have you looked up to?
Mittag: I learned a lot from Birgit Prinz, she truly was an exceptional player and inspired not just me, but the whole women’s football team. I also picked up a lot from Inka Grings, a striker who displayed clinical finishing. Ariane Hings and Kerstin Stegemann also taught me well. I had the privilege of playing alongside all these players. I could go on and name others who have stood by me and who I’ve shared great moments with.
DFB.de: What’s changed in women’s football since your first international match?
Mittag: There is a greater level of athleticism, and the game is played at a faster speed than before. You can also see that more countries have followed suit and that there are more teams competing at the top now. There are lots of nations that can compete in terms of technique, tactics and conditioning, which is great development for the game of women’s football.
DFB.de: The SheBelieves Cup is a good example. What have you got planned personally for your milestone game?
Mittag: I want to have a good game with the team. We’re playing against the world number one, so it couldn’t be better. Personally though, it’s a game like any other, and I want to help my team on the pitch.
When the women’s national team takes on champions and hosts USA in the SheBelieves Cup opening game on Thursday night (1:05 CET), one player will already be honoured even before kickoff: Anja Mittag, who is set to play her 150th international match. Since her debut on the 31st of March 2004 in a 1:0 win against Italy, Anja Mittag has been a part of the 2007 World Cup and 2005, 2009 and 2013 European Championship winning teams, as well as having won a gold medal in the Rio Olympics last year.
The tournament, which features matches against the USA, France and England, serves as a critical gauge for Steffi Jones’ team ahead of the Euros taking place in the summer in the Netherlands, and Mittag is by far and away the most experienced player in the squad. In a DFB.de interview the 31 year-old spoke VFL Wolfsburg forward spoke with editor Paula Widmer about the milestone, idols, and the development of women’s football
DFB.de: Anja Mittag, you’re set to acquire your 150th international cap. Do you know how many players have achieved this before you?
Anja Mittag: I’ve seen the statistics briefly and seen that not manz have. Birgit Prinz, Kerstin Stegemann, Ariane Hingst... How many have?
DFB.de: Only four players have played more than 150 games, the three you named, plus Bettina Wiegmann. What does it mean to you to celebrate this achievement against the USA today?
Mittag: For me, the opponent doesn’t have anything to do with the opponent. 150 really is an amazing number. It’s not something you would ever expect after your first game, because there are only so many games throughout the year and you have to be around for a long time. It’s cool and makes me proud. It’s an honour to make it to this number of games.
DFB.de: Do you still remember your first game clearly?
Mittag: It was in 2004 against Italy. I came on in the second half. I think we won the game 1:0, but I can’t recall any more details apart from that, it was quite a while ago!
DFB.de: That’s certainly true. Come March it will have been 13 years. What moments will you cherish when you look back on your career?
Mittag: The women’s team has lifted many trophies in that time, and every one has its own story and means a lot to me. Of course the victory in the Olympics in 2016 is still fresh in my memory, which was really special because it was the first gold medal for any German national team. That really was something else.
DFB.de: Which people have you looked up to?
Mittag: I learned a lot from Birgit Prinz, she truly was an exceptional player and inspired not just me, but the whole women’s football team. I also picked up a lot from Inka Grings, a striker who displayed clinical finishing. Ariane Hings and Kerstin Stegemann also taught me well. I had the privilege of playing alongside all these players. I could go on and name others who have stood by me and who I’ve shared great moments with.
DFB.de: What’s changed in women’s football since your first international match?
Mittag: There is a greater level of athleticism, and the game is played at a faster speed than before. You can also see that more countries have followed suit and that there are more teams competing at the top now. There are lots of nations that can compete in terms of technique, tactics and conditioning, which is great development for the game of women’s football.
DFB.de: The SheBelieves Cup is a good example. What have you got planned personally for your milestone game?
Mittag: I want to have a good game with the team. We’re playing against the world number one, so it couldn’t be better. Personally though, it’s a game like any other, and I want to help my team on the pitch.
DFB.de: You are as humble as you were before your first international match, but has anything changed for you personally? In any case you’ve gained a couple of tattoos...
Mittag: (laughs) Yes, that’s true! I have gained a couple of tattoos. I’ve learned a lot over the past 149 games, and am thankful for the trust that I’ve received. My role in the team has changed, as I take on more responsibility than I did before.
