With a big smile on her face, Lena Petermann answers questions from journalists. Following her two minute brace during Germany women’s 4-0 win in their final group game of the World Cup in Canada against Thailand, the 21-year-old feels like she’s on cloud nine. “I keep pinching myself in disbelief of what just happened”, said the star player from SC Freiburg.
It was by no means a certainty before the tournament began, that the student of sport and English would be in the squad for the World Cup in Canada. The U20 World Champion wasn’t even considered by Silvia Neid for the Algarve Cup in March. It wasn’t until Pauline Bremner picked up an injury that Petermann got her chance to show what she could do in Portugal. “That was a small breakthrough for me”, she said looking back.
U20 World Cup winner in 2014 with Germany in Canada
Fully grown, athletic, strong in the air – the SC Freiburg attacker really demonstrated her qualities following her second half substitution. Lena dedicated her two headed goals – her first two for her country in just her fourth game – to her family. “They’re not here in Canada”, she said, knocking at her heart, “but they are always with me.”
Praise from Neid and Angerer
Following her success with the youth teams, she switched her focus to improving her chances of breaking into the senior team. She abandoned her scholarship-backed studies at the University of Central Florida in Orlando and signed for SC Freiburg. She took the step to the USA after her team, Hamburger SV, dropped out of the Bundesliga in 2012. “I have grown up there”, she said about her time in America.
With her open, yet down-to-earth personality she has rejuvenated the squad’s more senior figures. “She’s a great character, she’s doing great for her age”, said Nadine Angerer. Whilst manager Silvia Neid also had praise for the young star: “She presents herself really well on the pitch. She is a lovely person, but on the pitch she shows that she can do a lot more.”
With a big smile on her face, Lena Petermann answers questions from journalists. Following her two minute brace during Germany women’s 4-0 win in their final group game of the World Cup in Canada against Thailand, the 21-year-old feels like she’s on cloud nine. “I keep pinching myself in disbelief of what just happened”, said the star player from SC Freiburg.
It was by no means a certainty before the tournament began, that the student of sport and English would be in the squad for the World Cup in Canada. The U20 World Champion wasn’t even considered by Silvia Neid for the Algarve Cup in March. It wasn’t until Pauline Bremner picked up an injury that Petermann got her chance to show what she could do in Portugal. “That was a small breakthrough for me”, she said looking back.
U20 World Cup winner in 2014 with Germany in Canada
Fully grown, athletic, strong in the air – the SC Freiburg attacker really demonstrated her qualities following her second half substitution. Lena dedicated her two headed goals – her first two for her country in just her fourth game – to her family. “They’re not here in Canada”, she said, knocking at her heart, “but they are always with me.”
Praise from Neid and Angerer
Following her success with the youth teams, she switched her focus to improving her chances of breaking into the senior team. She abandoned her scholarship-backed studies at the University of Central Florida in Orlando and signed for SC Freiburg. She took the step to the USA after her team, Hamburger SV, dropped out of the Bundesliga in 2012. “I have grown up there”, she said about her time in America.
With her open, yet down-to-earth personality she has rejuvenated the squad’s more senior figures. “She’s a great character, she’s doing great for her age”, said Nadine Angerer. Whilst manager Silvia Neid also had praise for the young star: “She presents herself really well on the pitch. She is a lovely person, but on the pitch she shows that she can do a lot more.”
