The weekend’s big game in the Allianz Women’s Bundesliga sees two of the most successful clubs in recent years go head-to-head, as VfL Wolfsburg host 1. FFC Frankfurt on Sunday (11:30 CET). It’s about prestige, but it’s also about points in an exciting title race.
Kerstin Garefrekes has been at 1. FFC Frankfurt since 2004. The 130-times-capped Germany international hasn’t just experienced the development of the women’s game, but she has also helped shape it. In an interview with DFB.de, the 35-year-old talks about the secret behind her success, the upcoming meeting with Wolfsburg, the Bundesliga title race and the 2015 World Cup, despite her retirement from international football in 2011.
DFB.de: Frau Garefrekes, you’re scoring at will at the moment. What makes you so good?
Kerstin Garefrekes: As a team, we’re playing very well at the moment. We had a few problems at the start of the season to find the right balance between attack and defence. But now we have stability at the back and are also penetrating when we go forward. Now it’s easier for every player to do their job and to be successful.
DFB.de: What drives you? You’ve won everything.
Garefrekes: I still draw on the same things now as I did at the beginning of my career in order to get motivated: I have fun playing football and enjoy being part of a successful team. I would also like to take on some responsibility as a seasoned professional and pass on some of my experience and values that I have picked up during my career.
DFB.de: You play against VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday, which is a game everyone is talking about. How are you feeling ahead of the game?
Garefrekes: Wolfsburg are one of the best teams in Europe at the moment and are extremely strong at home. We have won our last seven games in the Bundesliga and obviously want to continue that run. Therefore I’m expecting an exciting and high quality game, in which we must have to do everything right if we want to be successful.
The weekend’s big game in the Allianz Women’s Bundesliga sees two of the most successful clubs in recent years go head-to-head, as VfL Wolfsburg host 1. FFC Frankfurt on Sunday (11:30 CET). It’s about prestige, but it’s also about points in an exciting title race.
Kerstin Garefrekes has been at 1. FFC Frankfurt since 2004. The 130-times-capped Germany international hasn’t just experienced the development of the women’s game, but she has also helped shape it. In an interview with DFB.de, the 35-year-old talks about the secret behind her success, the upcoming meeting with Wolfsburg, the Bundesliga title race and the 2015 World Cup, despite her retirement from international football in 2011.
DFB.de: Frau Garefrekes, you’re scoring at will at the moment. What makes you so good?
Kerstin Garefrekes: As a team, we’re playing very well at the moment. We had a few problems at the start of the season to find the right balance between attack and defence. But now we have stability at the back and are also penetrating when we go forward. Now it’s easier for every player to do their job and to be successful.
DFB.de: What drives you? You’ve won everything.
Garefrekes: I still draw on the same things now as I did at the beginning of my career in order to get motivated: I have fun playing football and enjoy being part of a successful team. I would also like to take on some responsibility as a seasoned professional and pass on some of my experience and values that I have picked up during my career.
DFB.de: You play against VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday, which is a game everyone is talking about. How are you feeling ahead of the game?
Garefrekes: Wolfsburg are one of the best teams in Europe at the moment and are extremely strong at home. We have won our last seven games in the Bundesliga and obviously want to continue that run. Therefore I’m expecting an exciting and high quality game, in which we must have to do everything right if we want to be successful.
DFB.de: Is the game on Sunday between the two best teams in Germany at the moment?
Garefrekes: Wolfsburg have won both the German title and the Champions League in both of the last two seasons. But Bayern München are top at the moment and Turbine Potsdam are always contenders. Therefore, the other teams have to do their homework. Generally, the difference between the teams is getting even smaller.
DFB.de: Is the Allianz Women’s Bundesliga more even now than ever before?
Garefrekes: I think so. It becomes tougher every year to finish at the top of the league at the end of the season. Most games are very tight and that has been shown with some surprising results in recent weeks. I’m excited to see what direction the Bundesliga will go in the future.
DFB.de: The World Cup is around the corner next year. What do you think the DFB-Team can achieve in Canada?
Garefrekes: Germany are reigning European Champions and are one of the favourites. They’ll play safe on the unfamiliar pitch and will have a good World Cup.
