Following nine days of fine tuning at a training camp in Feusisberg, Germany have one last trial run ahead of the World Cup. The tricky match against hosts Switzerland tonight (17:00 CEST) in Baden-Dätwil comes four days before the squad set off to Canada.
The match at the Esp-Stadion against the Swiss, who are set to make their World Cup bow, will be played on artificial turf, exactly the same surface that the tournament will take place on in Canada (6th June – 5th July). Germany manager Silvia Neid has made her team train on the unfamiliar surface for the duration of the camp. "It’s a different game, especially when it’s wet," said Celia Sasic. "It’s therefore important that we have a real opportunity to test ourselves."
Switzerland: German manager drafts in eleven Bundesliga players
Switzerland, who are coached by former Germany international Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, should put the defence of the two-time World Champions and eight-time European Champions to the test. "The Swiss are strong in attack and that’s exactly what we need," said Neid, who must manage without FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year Nadine Keßler (rehabilitation following knee operation), Fatmire Alushi (pregnancy) and Luisa Wensing (fibula fracture) in Canada.
Under the direction of Voss-Tecklenburg, Switzerland, who have included eight Bundesliga players in their World Cup squad, have developed considerably since 2012. Their attack, featuring Ramona Bachmann, Frankfurt forward Ana-Maria Cmogorcevic and new VfL Wolfsburg signing Lara Dickenmann, is a force to be reckoned with. "We’re getting closer to the top teams," remarked the 47-year-old manager, whose side recently triumphed 3-1 over Sweden and are looking forward to the encounter against Germany. "We could perhaps beat them on a very good day," she concluded.
Goeßling: "We want to travel to the World Cup feeling positive"
The Germany players, who will spend three days back home after the match and before the Canada trip, want to secure their seventh victory in nine games since the flawless qualifying campaign and head to the tournament brimming with confidence. "It’s important for us to travel to the World Cup feeling positive," commented VfL Wolfsburg midfielder Lena Goeßling.
Captain Nadine Angerer doesn’t believe that the battle amongst the players to secure a place in the starting line-up will affect team spirit. "The tournament is going to be so exhausting, so intense and so long – we’re going to need to use every individual." Germany face the Ivory Coast in their opening game on 7th June (22:00 CEST) in Ottawa and will then come up against Norway on 11th June (22:00 CEST). Their last match in Group B is against Thailand on 15th June (22:00 CEST) in Winnipeg.
Following nine days of fine tuning at a training camp in Feusisberg, Germany have one last trial run ahead of the World Cup. The tricky match against hosts Switzerland tonight (17:00 CEST) in Baden-Dätwil comes four days before the squad set off to Canada.
The match at the Esp-Stadion against the Swiss, who are set to make their World Cup bow, will be played on artificial turf, exactly the same surface that the tournament will take place on in Canada (6th June – 5th July). Germany manager Silvia Neid has made her team train on the unfamiliar surface for the duration of the camp. "It’s a different game, especially when it’s wet," said Celia Sasic. "It’s therefore important that we have a real opportunity to test ourselves."
Switzerland: German manager drafts in eleven Bundesliga players
Switzerland, who are coached by former Germany international Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, should put the defence of the two-time World Champions and eight-time European Champions to the test. "The Swiss are strong in attack and that’s exactly what we need," said Neid, who must manage without FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year Nadine Keßler (rehabilitation following knee operation), Fatmire Alushi (pregnancy) and Luisa Wensing (fibula fracture) in Canada.
Under the direction of Voss-Tecklenburg, Switzerland, who have included eight Bundesliga players in their World Cup squad, have developed considerably since 2012. Their attack, featuring Ramona Bachmann, Frankfurt forward Ana-Maria Cmogorcevic and new VfL Wolfsburg signing Lara Dickenmann, is a force to be reckoned with. "We’re getting closer to the top teams," remarked the 47-year-old manager, whose side recently triumphed 3-1 over Sweden and are looking forward to the encounter against Germany. "We could perhaps beat them on a very good day," she concluded.
Goeßling: "We want to travel to the World Cup feeling positive"
The Germany players, who will spend three days back home after the match and before the Canada trip, want to secure their seventh victory in nine games since the flawless qualifying campaign and head to the tournament brimming with confidence. "It’s important for us to travel to the World Cup feeling positive," commented VfL Wolfsburg midfielder Lena Goeßling.
Captain Nadine Angerer doesn’t believe that the battle amongst the players to secure a place in the starting line-up will affect team spirit. "The tournament is going to be so exhausting, so intense and so long – we’re going to need to use every individual." Germany face the Ivory Coast in their opening game on 7th June (22:00 CEST) in Ottawa and will then come up against Norway on 11th June (22:00 CEST). Their last match in Group B is against Thailand on 15th June (22:00 CEST) in Winnipeg.
Angerer and the team have defined clear stages in their challenge. "We’ve learnt that you feel under less pressure and are more relaxed when you take things step-by-step. This also makes it easier for you to achieve your bigger aims," explained the captain, whose international career will come to an end after the World Cup and preferably on a high note.
