Saskia Bartusiak: "I've always believed in myself"

Saskia Bartusiak had to wait 79 international matches for this moment, but in the women’s national team World Cup qualifier against Croatia on Wednesday, it finally happened. The 1. FFC Frankfurt central defender found the target in the final minute to round off an 8-0 rout and chalk up her first goal for Germany.

The goal marks a successful end to an impressive year for the 31-year-old. Bartusiak was one of Germany’s key players in their European Championship-winning campaign in Sweden, confidently leading her team to their eighth European title. In an exclusive interview with DFB.de reporter Annette Seitz, the Frankfurt-born player looks back at the past few months, discusses external criticism and internal recognition, and describes her daily motivation.

DFB.de: What are you most happy about: defeating Croatia 8-0 or scoring your first international goal?

Saskia Bartusiak: The win, of course. Our aim was to bring home a solid three points, and that wasn’t so easy because of the difficult pitch conditions and because Croatia created a couple of opportunities too. We started the match brilliantly and knocked the wind out of our opponents’ sails in the process. Of course, I’m also very happy that I was able to score my first international goal too.

DFB.de: All of your team-mates ran over to congratulate you after your goal – does that show how tight a unit the team are?

Bartusiak: Definitely. We’ve joked a few times before matches that I’d finally get my first goal and how that might happen. The scenes after my goal shows once again that we’ve got great team spirit, celebrate one another’s successes and ultimately don’t mind who scores the goals – the main thing is that we win. It’s also one of our strengths that our goals can come from many different players.

DFB.de: It’s fitting that you scored your first goal after 79 international caps to top off an excellent year. How do you rate the past few months? It really feels as though it’s been your year.

Bartusiak: I don’t know if it was a particularly good year for me, but it was a good year for us as a team, having crowned 2013 by winning the European Championship. We played very well throughout the tournament and, although we had our ups and downs, we stood by one another brilliantly and became a unit. I think you could see that in every match, and that was the key to our success.

DFB.de: During the European Championship, Nadine Angerer said that, for her, Saskia Bartusiak was Germany’s most underrated player. You played well at that event, you’re considered an indispensable member of the team and now you’re also receiving recognition from outside the team. Is there a sense of satisfaction that you’ve shown all your critics what you can do?

Bartusiak: No, I don’t feel any satisfaction. I’ve always known what I’m capable and always believed in myself. I’ve always felt that the team has respected me and my performances for them. I don’t care what else anyone says or thinks about my performance because the most important thing is our communication within the team, and that’s very good.

DFB.de: How would you sum up 2013 in one phrase?

Bartusiak: Laganda 008…

DFB.de: The European Championship motto. Laganda is Swedish and means "team spirit", and 008 stands for the team’s target of winning an eighth European Championship, which you did. Have you really had any time to enjoy that and process it all? After all, the league continued shortly after the Euros, and then it was on to World Cup qualification.

Bartusiak: That’s right! It’s been one thing after another, but we celebrated the European Championship thoroughly and had some great moments as a team. I’ll always remember that. We certainly had to focus on the league again quickly afterwards, especially in Frankfurt, where a lot changed because of the new coach. Consequently, we had to find our feet quickly, but that’s the way things go in football.

DFB.de: Where would you rank 2013 in your long career?

Bartusiak: I think I’ve made progress with each year that passes; I’ve never been satisfied, I just keep pushing on. I’ve always tried to keep bettering myself. I think my development shows that I haven’t let myself sit back. That should continue to be the case in the future, because I have fun with the team and enjoy playing for Germany.

DFB.de: Is that the motivation that spurs you on?

Bartusiak: Absolutely. It’s a privilege to run out on to a pitch for Germany. It’s not easy, you have to work hard for it and I want to keep doing that in the future.

DFB.de: After every match, the national team coach awards one player with the opposing team’s pennant to recognise their contribution. You were that player on Wednesday. Is it still a special honour to be recognised that way?

Bartusiak: Definitely, especially since she said some really nice things about the past year. It gives you a lift, even as an experienced player. I really mean it – it’s great to feel recognition and respect within the team. And it’s even better when it comes from the national team coach.