Mittag has won the European Championship three times with Germany, as well as the 2007 World Cup in China. In the seven years since that triumph, women’s football has developed hugely in Germany. The game has become more professional, quicker and athletic. This hasn’t been a problem for Anja Mittag; it has helped her become a better player.
Since 2012 she has played in Sweden and scored 21 goals last campaign for Rosengård. “We deserved to win the title as we were the most consistent team in the league,” said the striker. “Everyone thought we would win the league and we managed to live up to expectations.”
Mittag remains a key player for Germany and keeps a keen eye on the Allianz-Frauen Bundesliga. A return to the league is not out of the question: “At the minute I’m happy in Sweden. But that doesn’t mean that I’ll never play in Germany again. Returning is always an option.”
The list is endless. There isn’t a title that Anja Mittag hasn’t won. For years, the 29-year-old has gone from success to success, championship to championship. Not only in Germany, but also in Sweden, where the Germany women’s national team will play their next World Cup friendly in Örebo (Wednesday, 18:00 CET). Anja Mittag is a title collector: she currently plays for FC Rosengård and has lifted the championship twice during her three seasons in Scandinavia.
The Swedish league is one of the best in the world, coming just behind the Allianz women’s Bundesliga. “I’m sure that Rosengård would be in the top four teams in Germany,” said Mittag. “Great football is played here. The biggest difference is the range in quality as there are two or three good teams. That’s what makes it weaker. The Bundesliga has a better balance.”
FC Rosengård have a strong attack, and that’s not only because of Anja Mittag. “We have an outstanding striker in Marta,” said the five-times German champion and three-times cup winner. “We’ve also improved defensively, which was previously our weakness. I don’t want to say that we’re the best team in the world. We still have room to improve.”
Mittag: “A special match against Sweden”
Since the 29-year-old has moved abroad, the significance of being selected for the DFB team has grown. Mittag has developed, gained more experience and become more consistent. She wants to show this against Sweden; an important warm-up match for the next World Cup in Canada.
“Matches against Sweden are always special. Not only because I play in Sweden, but also because it’s a classic fixture in women’s football,” said Mittag. She wants to use this match as a chance for redemption, “We want to put in a better performance than we did against France,” The DFB women will take off for Örebo at 11:00 CET. The first training session will take place in the afternoon, with two sessions scheduled for Tuesday. The sessions will take place on AstroTurf; the match will also take place on the surface.
Every match ahead of the 2015 World Cup is of particular importance. “The tournament is always at the front of your mind,” said Mittag. “The nearer it gets to the competition, the bigger the anticipation. Germany always go into the tournament as favourites. We want to play well.”
Women’s football has developed rapidly thanks to Mittag
Mittag has won the European Championship three times with Germany, as well as the 2007 World Cup in China. In the seven years since that triumph, women’s football has developed hugely in Germany. The game has become more professional, quicker and athletic. This hasn’t been a problem for Anja Mittag; it has helped her become a better player.
Since 2012 she has played in Sweden and scored 21 goals last campaign for Rosengård. “We deserved to win the title as we were the most consistent team in the league,” said the striker. “Everyone thought we would win the league and we managed to live up to expectations.”
Mittag remains a key player for Germany and keeps a keen eye on the Allianz-Frauen Bundesliga. A return to the league is not out of the question: “At the minute I’m happy in Sweden. But that doesn’t mean that I’ll never play in Germany again. Returning is always an option.”
