The Germany Women's team head to Rotterdam full of confidence, but the defending champions are hoping to leave their relative goal drought behind. "Now we need to ignite," demanded head coach Steffi Jones ahead of Saturday's quarterfinal (20:45 CEST) against Denmark. "It's a knockout match and every one of the players knows that it all comes down to this."
After a light session and a spot of lunch, the German women travelled by coach from their team base near to s‘Hertogenbosch to Rotterdam, around 100km away. Amongst all the stress of packing, the players saw the change of scenery as a positive thing. "Perhaps switching hotels is good because you get out and have something different to think about," said goalkeeper Almuth Schult.
Jones calm ahead of first knockout match
The eight-time European champions, who are looking to reach the semi-final stage of this competition for the tenth time in a row, want to forget about the missed opportunities in front of goal in previous games. "Now it's the knockout phase. Perhaps our minds will be clear and the thing will go in," said Schult. The conclusion, however, is clear: "We want to win this title, therefore, we have to win this game."
Jones is calm going into her first knockout match as Germany head coach. "I'm calm. We won the group and I'm certain that we'll beat Denmark," said the 44-year-old, who is revealing nothing in terms of possible line-up and formation.
Wary of Pernille Harder
The two-time world champions will be optimistic going into their quarterfinal against the Danes, who finished second in Group A after recording 1-0 wins against Belgium and Norway and a 1-0 defeat to hosts the Netherlands. The Germans will have to be wary of Denmark's captain, Pernille Harder.
"She is incredibly versatile in how she plays. She is the key player," emphasised Jones. "For me she is one of the best players in the world," said Schult on her club teammate from German champions VfL Wolfsburg. "I hope that we can contain her or perhaps that she is nervous facing me as a club teammate." Lena Goeßling also had something to say about Harder: "I'm looking forward to seeing her, but unfortunately she should be going home after the match."
The Germany Women's team head to Rotterdam full of confidence, but the defending champions are hoping to leave their relative goal drought behind. "Now we need to ignite," demanded head coach Steffi Jones ahead of Saturday's quarterfinal (20:45 CEST) against Denmark. "It's a knockout match and every one of the players knows that it all comes down to this."
After a light session and a spot of lunch, the German women travelled by coach from their team base near to s‘Hertogenbosch to Rotterdam, around 100km away. Amongst all the stress of packing, the players saw the change of scenery as a positive thing. "Perhaps switching hotels is good because you get out and have something different to think about," said goalkeeper Almuth Schult.
Jones calm ahead of first knockout match
The eight-time European champions, who are looking to reach the semi-final stage of this competition for the tenth time in a row, want to forget about the missed opportunities in front of goal in previous games. "Now it's the knockout phase. Perhaps our minds will be clear and the thing will go in," said Schult. The conclusion, however, is clear: "We want to win this title, therefore, we have to win this game."
Jones is calm going into her first knockout match as Germany head coach. "I'm calm. We won the group and I'm certain that we'll beat Denmark," said the 44-year-old, who is revealing nothing in terms of possible line-up and formation.
Wary of Pernille Harder
The two-time world champions will be optimistic going into their quarterfinal against the Danes, who finished second in Group A after recording 1-0 wins against Belgium and Norway and a 1-0 defeat to hosts the Netherlands. The Germans will have to be wary of Denmark's captain, Pernille Harder.
"She is incredibly versatile in how she plays. She is the key player," emphasised Jones. "For me she is one of the best players in the world," said Schult on her club teammate from German champions VfL Wolfsburg. "I hope that we can contain her or perhaps that she is nervous facing me as a club teammate." Lena Goeßling also had something to say about Harder: "I'm looking forward to seeing her, but unfortunately she should be going home after the match."
