Bremer and Mittag: “It will be an important game”

The preparation is going wonderfully. The DFB women’s team will be heading off to compete in the Olympic Games (3rd – 20th August) and will be hoping to bring silverware back to Germany. It will be a dream come true. The team has been preparing under the eye of Silvia Neid in Barsinghausen ahead of the event. The teams attention will also be on Marseille though, where Germany will face hosts France in the second semi-final of the European Championship will be played on Thursday (21:00 CEST).

Anja Mittag and Pauline Bremer have a particular interest in the match as they are both currently under contract in France. The 31-year old Mittag plays for Paris Saint German, while the 20-year old Bremer won the treble of the French Championship, French Cup and Champions League with Olympique Lyon last season. DFB.de spoke to both of the players in an interview ahead of the big game on Thursday about the atmosphere in France and their anticipation ahead of the Olympic Games.

DFB.de: Ms Mittag, Ms Bremer, you are both under contract with French teams. Is the match a special game from both points of view?

Pauline Bremer: I’ve exchanged a few messages with a couple of my colleagues in Lyon since France managed to progress to the semi-finals. The anticipation is the overriding emotion for me. I am convinced that it will be a very interesting match.

Anja Mittag: Two of the best teams in the world will be facing off in the semi-final of the European Championship. Our opponent just also happens to be hosting the tournament. You couldn’t ask for much more. It will be a great event. I can imagine that it will be special in France, especially in Paris.

DFB.de: Why’s that?

Mittag: The French people were originally a bit cautious but the euphoria has increased in the meantime. Everyone in France has been fully behind their team ever since the win over Iceland at the latest. You have been able to see it from the quite impressive pictures on TV.

DFB.de: How will you be following the game?

Bremer: We have returned to the national team for the training camp in Barsinghausen and are busy preparing for the Olympic Games. We all arrived on Sunday and most of the girls watched the match between France and Iceland in their rooms. We will all go to watch the semi-final on a big screen. It’s clear that we will all be crossing our fingers for Germany.

DFB.de: How do you feel ahead of the game?

Mittag: I already knew that we would have a good chance of getting to the final. The win against Italy has given us a lot of momentum. I have not seen any team so far in the tournament that is better than us. France are strong though and have been improving each match. They are especially dangerous going forwards.

Bremer: It’s obviously disappointing to lose two good players in Mario Gomez and Sami Khedira. At the same time, I am convinced that the squad is strong enough to compensate for the absences. Maybe it will give us a new strength, as the saying goes: now more than ever. Either way it will be an even match that will be decided by small margins.

DFB.de: What personal memories do you have of games against France?

Mittag: Actually good ones. At the World Cup in Canada last year, we progressed through the quarterfinals after beating France on penalties. That was a very intense game. I personally really enjoy playing against the French national team.

DFB.de: You’ve both been under contract in France for a year. How has your time there been so far?

Bremer: For me, it’s been consistently positive. It was the perfect decision - both from a sporting as well as a personal perspective. We won the league and cup double with Olympique Lyon. We also triumphed in the Champions League. Additionally, the conditions are outstanding. It was exactly the right step for my development.

Mittag: From a sporting perspective, I’ve not been as lucky as Pauline in the past season. We suffered an extremely disappointing exit from the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain after a clear defeat to Lyon. I could have done without that. We were also left with nothing in the league and the cup. However, I wouldn’t have wanted to miss the year in France. It was full of experiences and learning new things. I now prefer to look forward, rather than dwelling on the past.

DFB.de: Next up, the Olympic Games in August. What does this event mean to you?

Mittag: I previously competed in 2004 and 2008, when we won the bronze medal on both occasions. From memory I can say that without a doubt they were two of the greatest sporting achievements of my career to date. The atmosphere and the entire event were simply indescribable. I'm incredibly excited about the time in Brazil.

Bremer: It’s my first Olympic Games. And I can hardly wait. Unfortunately, only 18 players can go. All of the players here are looking forward to the Olympic Games. We’re working hard towards it so that we can achieve our aims.

DFB.de: What are your aims for in Brazil?

Mittag: We have a dream. We want to win the gold medal. Recently we’ve always returned with bronze. However, the competition is getting increasingly difficult. The playing field is evening out because other teams are catching up. Nevertheless, I’m convinced that we can achieve our main goal. However, we now have to lay the foundations here in Barsinghausen and then in further training camps.

DFB.de: What’s on the agenda?

Bremer: We’re currently working lots on tactics. That is our main focus at present. Recently, we were more focused on fitness in Grassau. But the coaching team incorporated drills with the ball into the sessions. It is very varied. I’m convinced that we’re on the right path.