Mandy Islacker is looking to fire the German national side to a defence of her their European Championship title in Holland next month. The sharpest shooter in the Allianz Women’s Bundesliga was a lifesaver for Frankfurt last season, finding the back of the net 19 times in 19 games to pick up the top scorers canon for the second time in a row. In an interview with DFB, Islacker talked about her achievements, Frankfurt’s first season after turmoil and her role in the DFB 11.
DFB.de: You’ve arrived here straight from a Mallorcan beach - how often did you lie on the beach dreaming of pulling on that national shirt again.
Mandy Islacker: A lot. We had three weeks of and an individual training plan. It was good to just get everything out of my head. I really enjoyed getting up and training before breakfast in the tranquility and starting the day off relaxed.
DFB.de: Is the excitement a little bigger because it could be your last major tournament?
Islacker: I’m looking at it like that for now. I wasn’t called up to the National team until fairly late, so I am just enjoying the moment and being part of the preparations for the Euros.
DFB.de: At 30 you are one of the older generation. How motivated are you to show that young and wild side once more?
Islacker: I’m really looking forward to that. You never know how long you’ll be able to keep playing for or stay injury free. As a result I am very much up for it.
DFB.de: There will only be a short preparation time of 15 days and only a couple of warm up games before the tournament. When will you be ready to go?
Islacker: It was important to give the players a chance to rest after the season. We have prepared and worked hard in the last month, tactically as well. As a result I think it’s only a positive thing that the prep time is so short and condensed.
DFB.de: There are parallels between your club and your country. The re-building of the squad last summer and young players like Steffi Jones. How important are these fresh legs and how is everything shaping up?
Islacker: We have a great squad in Germany, as there are so many young and talented girls. Steffi Jones is a really open and communicative manager, so it’s a lot of fun to work with her. I see us a well-prepared squad and am looking forward to finally being able to be out there.
DFB.de: You’ll begin the tournament against Sweden on July 17th, and could potentially play six European Championship games including the final. Who do you think will be able to stop you from repeating as champions?
Islacker: It’s very clear: our goal is to be European Champions. I think that France, Sweden, England, and Norway are our toughest challengers. Switzerland and Spain have also shown in years past that they’re not to be underestimated.
DFB.de: You’ve got a penchant for scoring important goals. You scored in your debut for Germany in 2015, and you scored the winner in the 2015 Champions League final. What would it meant to you to score the winning goal in a European Championship final?
Islacker: First and foremost, my goals is to make the cut for the final squad. If I’m a part of it, then I honestly couldn’t care less who scores the winning goal. Sure, I’d happily score it, but the main thing is that we win and lift the title.
DFB.de: You’re also a woman of many goals. You’ve won the Golden Boot for the second year running in the Bundesliga. What does this accolade mean to you?
Islacker: Of course I’m pleased to receive the award, but I have to say that I would never have won the Golden Boot without my teammates. The trophy has a special place in our home.
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Mandy Islacker is looking to fire the German national side to a defence of her their European Championship title in Holland next month. The sharpest shooter in the Allianz Women’s Bundesliga was a lifesaver for Frankfurt last season, finding the back of the net 19 times in 19 games to pick up the top scorers canon for the second time in a row. In an interview with DFB, Islacker talked about her achievements, Frankfurt’s first season after turmoil and her role in the DFB 11.
DFB.de: You’ve arrived here straight from a Mallorcan beach - how often did you lie on the beach dreaming of pulling on that national shirt again.
Mandy Islacker: A lot. We had three weeks of and an individual training plan. It was good to just get everything out of my head. I really enjoyed getting up and training before breakfast in the tranquility and starting the day off relaxed.
DFB.de: Is the excitement a little bigger because it could be your last major tournament?
Islacker: I’m looking at it like that for now. I wasn’t called up to the National team until fairly late, so I am just enjoying the moment and being part of the preparations for the Euros.
DFB.de: At 30 you are one of the older generation. How motivated are you to show that young and wild side once more?
Islacker: I’m really looking forward to that. You never know how long you’ll be able to keep playing for or stay injury free. As a result I am very much up for it.
DFB.de: There will only be a short preparation time of 15 days and only a couple of warm up games before the tournament. When will you be ready to go?
Islacker: It was important to give the players a chance to rest after the season. We have prepared and worked hard in the last month, tactically as well. As a result I think it’s only a positive thing that the prep time is so short and condensed.
DFB.de: There are parallels between your club and your country. The re-building of the squad last summer and young players like Steffi Jones. How important are these fresh legs and how is everything shaping up?
Islacker: We have a great squad in Germany, as there are so many young and talented girls. Steffi Jones is a really open and communicative manager, so it’s a lot of fun to work with her. I see us a well-prepared squad and am looking forward to finally being able to be out there.
DFB.de: You’ll begin the tournament against Sweden on July 17th, and could potentially play six European Championship games including the final. Who do you think will be able to stop you from repeating as champions?
Islacker: It’s very clear: our goal is to be European Champions. I think that France, Sweden, England, and Norway are our toughest challengers. Switzerland and Spain have also shown in years past that they’re not to be underestimated.
DFB.de: You’ve got a penchant for scoring important goals. You scored in your debut for Germany in 2015, and you scored the winner in the 2015 Champions League final. What would it meant to you to score the winning goal in a European Championship final?
Islacker: First and foremost, my goals is to make the cut for the final squad. If I’m a part of it, then I honestly couldn’t care less who scores the winning goal. Sure, I’d happily score it, but the main thing is that we win and lift the title.
DFB.de: You’re also a woman of many goals. You’ve won the Golden Boot for the second year running in the Bundesliga. What does this accolade mean to you?
Islacker: Of course I’m pleased to receive the award, but I have to say that I would never have won the Golden Boot without my teammates. The trophy has a special place in our home.
