“That was the positive end that we were looking for. We’re leaving the tournament having learned a lot. Now we know where we stand, what works well, and what we need to improve before the Euros. I’m happy with my team,” stated Jones on the positive conclusion to the SheBelieves Cup.
First 2017 home game in Erfurt versus Canada
Jones was in Washington from 2002 to 2003, and the return evoked memories for Silvia Neid’s successor: “It’s special for me to win in this stadium, where I played for two seasons. This place holds great memories for me, and this is yet another addition.”
The Germany women’s team will next play on 9th April (15:00 CET) in Erfurt, for their first 2017 home game. They are set to come up against Canada, who finished third in the Olympics. Official preparation for the European Championship begins on 18th June, for which three training sessions are planned. The final international game for Germany ahead of the start of the tournament is provisionally scheduled for 4th July. Germany’s group stage opponents in the European Championship (16th July to 6th August) are Sweden (17th July), Italy (21 July), and Russia (25 July).
Manager Steffi Jones’ chosen players came away with a 1-0 win, their first in the four-nation tournament, against England who placed third in the last World Cup. Previously, the Germany women’s team suffered a 1-0 defeat to the USA and a 0-0 draw with France.
In Washington’s Robert F. Kennedy Stadium Anja Mittag scored her 50th international goal on the 44 minute mark, which meant the match ended in favour of the Germans. They are making preparations ahead of their defence of the European Championship title in four months time, and defeating one of the favourites helped raise confidence. Germany finished the tournament with four points, which was good for second place. In the tournament’s last game, France triumphed 3-0 over hosts USA to win the tournament, whilst England and then the USA finished third and fourth respectively.
“I’m very pleased with what the team has accomplished, compliments to the whole team. England were physical, as expected, and pressed from early on,” said Jones. “Despite this, we played good passing football and created the better chances to earn ourselves the lead. We were strong defensively, even when things appeared hectic at times.”
Changes at eight positions
Steffi Jones changed eight players in the starting eleven ahead of the game, which reflected a similar number of changes before the match against France. Only defensive leader Babett Peter and captain Dzsenifer Marozsán had the privilege of starting all three games. Against the aggressive pressing tactics of England, who surprised World Champions USA with a 1-0 upset on Saturday, the game started off difficult for the Germans. Despite a cagey beginning and a few dangerous chances for England, the two-time World Champions and eight-time European Champions created chance after chance.
German’s first chance fell to Anja Mittag in the 14th minute, thanks to the industrious Anna Blässe’s low cross. Next, the 34th minute saw Lina Magulls’ long distance shot thunder off the crossbar, and Alexandra Popp’s header following a free kick delivery went only centimetres wide six minutes later. After a great passing move on the left hand side, Anja Mittag, by far and away the most experienced of Germany’s players on the pitch with 152 caps, finally slotted the ball into the back of the net.
Jones: “We’re leaving having learned a lot”
Substitutions and a spate of fouls for both sides interrupted the flow of the game in the second half. Jones then decided to give striker Lisa Weiß a chance to play at the highest level, before Mittag’s header from close range sailed over the bar in the 75th minute.
“That was the positive end that we were looking for. We’re leaving the tournament having learned a lot. Now we know where we stand, what works well, and what we need to improve before the Euros. I’m happy with my team,” stated Jones on the positive conclusion to the SheBelieves Cup.
First 2017 home game in Erfurt versus Canada
Jones was in Washington from 2002 to 2003, and the return evoked memories for Silvia Neid’s successor: “It’s special for me to win in this stadium, where I played for two seasons. This place holds great memories for me, and this is yet another addition.”
The Germany women’s team will next play on 9th April (15:00 CET) in Erfurt, for their first 2017 home game. They are set to come up against Canada, who finished third in the Olympics. Official preparation for the European Championship begins on 18th June, for which three training sessions are planned. The final international game for Germany ahead of the start of the tournament is provisionally scheduled for 4th July. Germany’s group stage opponents in the European Championship (16th July to 6th August) are Sweden (17th July), Italy (21 July), and Russia (25 July).
