The finalists from the 2013 European Championship will meet again. After a 10-0 opening win against Côte d’Ivoire, Norway are next up for the Germany Women’s team. The two teams square off tonight at 22:00 CEST. “It will be an equal game,” said midfielder Simone Laudehr, as she looks forward to the second stage of the title quest.
After a narrow 1-0 victory for the DFB-Team 683 days ago, the Norwegians are looking forward to a rematch. “Maybe they see this as possible revenge, as a chance to show the world something else,” said Dzsenifer Marozan, who will return to the line-up after a sprained ankle.
Just seeing Nadine Angerer again could open old wounds for the Scandinavians, as the goalie sensationally saved two Norway penalties in Solna. The team leader is awaiting the 39th meeting between the two teams. “We have played so many times, that it will be such an even game.”
Winning the group has obvious advantages
“Our goal is to win the group,” said coach Silvia Neid on Wednesday. A draw would be enough going into the last group game in Winnipeg against Thailand, who Norway previously defeated 4-0. Should the game end in a draw, both teams will be trying to score as many goals as possible during the final group match as goal difference will be the deciding factor between the two.
Winning the group also has obvious advantages. After the round of 16 in Ottawa, the two-time World and eight-time European Champions would stay in the eastern part of Canada, as the quarter and semi finals are only 200 kilometres away in Montreal. Whoever finishes second must endure a 4,000 kilometre journey to Vancouver before going to Edmonton. Both teams would like to avoid the heavy travelling and the three hour time difference that comes with that.
The German defence will need to be wide awake when facing Isabell Herlovsen and former Potsdam player Ada Hegerberg. Both players are strong on the ball and are rather quick, so the defence will have to be more alert than against Côte d’Ivoire. “Norway have developed further in the last two years, they are very flexible up front,” claimed Neid.
It is still not certain if injury prone Melanie Leupolz will be available for the match. “Everything with Melly looks good, but we have to wait for our final training session,” said Neid. The midfielder suffered a painful injury to her pubic bone against Côte d’Ivoire and trained alone on Tuesday. The 21-year-old will most likely be replaced by Marozsan or Melanie Behringer in defensive midfield.
