When 1. FFC Frankfurt played at second division side Werder Bremen in the DFB Cup two years ago, Pia-Sophie Wolter was still a youth player witnessing the action from the stands. "It was pretty cool to watch and I would've liked to be on the pitch myself," said the now 17-year-old with a smile on her face. "But now I will be!" On matchday 6 of the Allianz Women's Bundesliga, Werder Bremen are set to host Frankfurt on Sunday (11:00 CEST).
A lot has happened in Bremen since their first encounter two years ago: Werder secured promotion into the top flight and the daughter of former Bundesliga professional Thomas Wolter played her part. Werder fans even voted her as the player of the season. As the newly promoted team, Werder's opening games of the season featured encounters with top sides VfL Wolfsburg and FC Bayern München, which were lost, albeit in a respectable fashion (2-0 defeats in both games) thanks to some solid defensive displays.
Wolter: "Deserve to be in this league"
The team gathered confidence from these results, which was underlined when they earned a 2-2 draw at SC Freiburg: "I think that we definitely proved we deserve to be in this league and that we are not just cannon fodder, as many predicted before the season started," explained Pia-Sophie Wolter, who was also in Germany's U19 squad for the summer's European Championship.
Hosting the reigning Champions League winners 1. FFC Frankfurt has created a buzz in Bremen but Wolter is fully aware of the magnitude of the challenge: "I think that the game will take a similar course as against the other two top teams. We have to put on our best performance again and we'll try to make it as difficult as possible for Frankfurt." She hopes that once again a good atmosphere will be generated in the Amateurstadion Pitch 11, where they recently hosted FC Bayern in front of 1,400 spectators.
Pia-Sophie Wolter has a special connection to Pitch 11, which lies in the shadow of the Weserstadion. Together with her twin brother Robin she often accompanied her father there when he was in charge of Bremen's U23 side and she dreamed of one day standing on the pitch herself. "It's a great feeling to be able to play on that pitch," said the midfielder. Her father, who has since taken charge of Bremen's performance centre, is now the one watching from the stands. But he only gives his analysis of the game if his daughter asks for it. "It was always important to him that we make our own decisions and that he wouldn’t get involved too much, especially because he was a professional in the Bundesliga."
Decision to commit to football came just four years ago
Wolter only started playing for Werder four years ago, as handball had been her favourite sport until then. First, she played in the newly-founded junior Bundesliga and due to her strengths in pace, stamina and winning tackles she was soon given the chance to train with the women's first team. "That was the point when I realised that I could achieve something in football," said Wolter, as she heavy-heartedly gave up her beloved sport of handball. Asked about her sporting goals, the recent school graduate showed her reserved side: "First, I want to avoid relegation with Werder this season, and we will give our best in order to achieve that."
Two years ago, Frankfurt recorded an 8-0 victory in Bremen but Wolter is confident about a different result on Sunday. After the game she will pack her bags and join the DFB U20 squad, who take on Sweden in Kassel on October 21st with the 2016 U20 World Cup scheduled for autumn next year. "I would love to be in the squad for that."
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When 1. FFC Frankfurt played at second division side Werder Bremen in the DFB Cup two years ago, Pia-Sophie Wolter was still a youth player witnessing the action from the stands. "It was pretty cool to watch and I would've liked to be on the pitch myself," said the now 17-year-old with a smile on her face. "But now I will be!" On matchday 6 of the Allianz Women's Bundesliga, Werder Bremen are set to host Frankfurt on Sunday (11:00 CEST).
A lot has happened in Bremen since their first encounter two years ago: Werder secured promotion into the top flight and the daughter of former Bundesliga professional Thomas Wolter played her part. Werder fans even voted her as the player of the season. As the newly promoted team, Werder's opening games of the season featured encounters with top sides VfL Wolfsburg and FC Bayern München, which were lost, albeit in a respectable fashion (2-0 defeats in both games) thanks to some solid defensive displays.
Wolter: "Deserve to be in this league"
The team gathered confidence from these results, which was underlined when they earned a 2-2 draw at SC Freiburg: "I think that we definitely proved we deserve to be in this league and that we are not just cannon fodder, as many predicted before the season started," explained Pia-Sophie Wolter, who was also in Germany's U19 squad for the summer's European Championship.
Hosting the reigning Champions League winners 1. FFC Frankfurt has created a buzz in Bremen but Wolter is fully aware of the magnitude of the challenge: "I think that the game will take a similar course as against the other two top teams. We have to put on our best performance again and we'll try to make it as difficult as possible for Frankfurt." She hopes that once again a good atmosphere will be generated in the Amateurstadion Pitch 11, where they recently hosted FC Bayern in front of 1,400 spectators.
Pia-Sophie Wolter has a special connection to Pitch 11, which lies in the shadow of the Weserstadion. Together with her twin brother Robin she often accompanied her father there when he was in charge of Bremen's U23 side and she dreamed of one day standing on the pitch herself. "It's a great feeling to be able to play on that pitch," said the midfielder. Her father, who has since taken charge of Bremen's performance centre, is now the one watching from the stands. But he only gives his analysis of the game if his daughter asks for it. "It was always important to him that we make our own decisions and that he wouldn’t get involved too much, especially because he was a professional in the Bundesliga."
Decision to commit to football came just four years ago
Wolter only started playing for Werder four years ago, as handball had been her favourite sport until then. First, she played in the newly-founded junior Bundesliga and due to her strengths in pace, stamina and winning tackles she was soon given the chance to train with the women's first team. "That was the point when I realised that I could achieve something in football," said Wolter, as she heavy-heartedly gave up her beloved sport of handball. Asked about her sporting goals, the recent school graduate showed her reserved side: "First, I want to avoid relegation with Werder this season, and we will give our best in order to achieve that."
Two years ago, Frankfurt recorded an 8-0 victory in Bremen but Wolter is confident about a different result on Sunday. After the game she will pack her bags and join the DFB U20 squad, who take on Sweden in Kassel on October 21st with the 2016 U20 World Cup scheduled for autumn next year. "I would love to be in the squad for that."
