Nadine Angerer has been named as the winner of the inaugural Best Women's Player in Europe Award, beating team-mate Lena Goeßling and Sweden's Lotta Schelin to the honour. The goalkeeper, who will don her gloves for Australian side Brisbane Roar from November, received the prize at the headquarters of European football's governing body UEFA in Nyon, Switzerland.
The Germany captain played a leading role in securing her country's eighth European championship title earlier this year, saving two penalties in the 1-0 final victory over Norway. The 34-year-old, a two-time FIFA World Cup winner and five-time continental champion, went on to be selected as the tournament's best player.
She has now followed that up by being crowned Europe's finest, an award voted for by sports journalists. DFB.de rounds up the reactions to her triumph, with DFB President Wolfgang Niersbach among the first to offer his congratulations.
Nadine Angerer: It’s a complete surprise as I wasn't expecting it at all. Lena's won everything and had a great season, while Lotta Schelin's been playing at a high level for years now. I'm so happy that I won and I'd like to thank everyone who voted for me, but special thanks go to Silvia Neid. I went through a difficult time after my injury but Silvia always put her faith in me.
DFB President Wolfgang Niersbach: It’s a complete surprise as I wasn't expecting it at all. Lena's won everything and had a great season, while Lotta Schelin's been playing at a high level for years now. I'm so happy that I won and I'd like to thank everyone who voted for me, but special thanks go to Silvia Neid. I went through a difficult time after my injury but Silvia always put her faith in me.
DFB Vice-President Hannelore Ratzeburg: We're very proud that a Germany international has won this inaugural Best Women’s Player Award. The prize, along with the fact that there were four Germany internationals in the top ten, with Nadine Keßler and Celia Sasic joining Nadine Angerer and Lena Goeßling, says a lot for women's football in Germany. I wholeheartedly welcome UEFA's decision to introduce the award for women too. It's another important step on the way to increasing public awareness of the women's game.
Women's national team coach Silvia Neid: I'm delighted for Nadine Angerer. Above all, it's the reward for her superb performances at the European Championship, where she once again showed that she's a player with exceptional ability. 'Natze' is incredibly important to us, she's a real personality and as captain she takes responsibility for our young team both on and off the pitch. I congratulate Lena Goeßling too, as she also had a good and very consistent season for club and country. Of course we’re very happy that four German internationals were among the top ten in Europe.
DFB's Director for Women's and Girls' football Steffi Jones: Congratulations to Nadine Angerer, the result of the vote is a fantastic recognition of her extraordinary performances. ‘Natze’ showed how good she is at the EURO in Sweden, where she played a huge part in winning the title. I believe that was decisive in her being voted as the best in Europe. She made great progress last season and isn’t just indispensable on the pitch, as captain she’s a fantastic example off it too.
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Nadine Angerer has been named as the winner of the inaugural Best Women's Player in Europe Award, beating team-mate Lena Goeßling and Sweden's Lotta Schelin to the honour. The goalkeeper, who will don her gloves for Australian side Brisbane Roar from November, received the prize at the headquarters of European football's governing body UEFA in Nyon, Switzerland.
The Germany captain played a leading role in securing her country's eighth European championship title earlier this year, saving two penalties in the 1-0 final victory over Norway. The 34-year-old, a two-time FIFA World Cup winner and five-time continental champion, went on to be selected as the tournament's best player.
She has now followed that up by being crowned Europe's finest, an award voted for by sports journalists. DFB.de rounds up the reactions to her triumph, with DFB President Wolfgang Niersbach among the first to offer his congratulations.
Nadine Angerer: It’s a complete surprise as I wasn't expecting it at all. Lena's won everything and had a great season, while Lotta Schelin's been playing at a high level for years now. I'm so happy that I won and I'd like to thank everyone who voted for me, but special thanks go to Silvia Neid. I went through a difficult time after my injury but Silvia always put her faith in me.
DFB President Wolfgang Niersbach: It’s a complete surprise as I wasn't expecting it at all. Lena's won everything and had a great season, while Lotta Schelin's been playing at a high level for years now. I'm so happy that I won and I'd like to thank everyone who voted for me, but special thanks go to Silvia Neid. I went through a difficult time after my injury but Silvia always put her faith in me.
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DFB Vice-President Hannelore Ratzeburg: We're very proud that a Germany international has won this inaugural Best Women’s Player Award. The prize, along with the fact that there were four Germany internationals in the top ten, with Nadine Keßler and Celia Sasic joining Nadine Angerer and Lena Goeßling, says a lot for women's football in Germany. I wholeheartedly welcome UEFA's decision to introduce the award for women too. It's another important step on the way to increasing public awareness of the women's game.
Women's national team coach Silvia Neid: I'm delighted for Nadine Angerer. Above all, it's the reward for her superb performances at the European Championship, where she once again showed that she's a player with exceptional ability. 'Natze' is incredibly important to us, she's a real personality and as captain she takes responsibility for our young team both on and off the pitch. I congratulate Lena Goeßling too, as she also had a good and very consistent season for club and country. Of course we’re very happy that four German internationals were among the top ten in Europe.
DFB's Director for Women's and Girls' football Steffi Jones: Congratulations to Nadine Angerer, the result of the vote is a fantastic recognition of her extraordinary performances. ‘Natze’ showed how good she is at the EURO in Sweden, where she played a huge part in winning the title. I believe that was decisive in her being voted as the best in Europe. She made great progress last season and isn’t just indispensable on the pitch, as captain she’s a fantastic example off it too.
