China’s Fei Wang (Turbine Potsdam), the Netherlands’ Vivianne Miedema and Norway’s Nora Holstad Berge (both FC Bayern München) are also involved. Spain’s Vero Boquete (1. FFC Frankfurt) and New Zealand duo Ria Percival and Amber Hearn (both USV Jena) have already headed home.
Former players shining
Noweigan pair Maren Mjelde and Ada Hegerberg have previously played in the top flight for 1. FFC Potsdam. Sweden’s Sara Thunebro (1. FFC Frankfurt), Sofia Jakobsson (BV Cloppenburg) and Olivia Schough (FC Bayern München) all have Bundesliga experience. Holland stars Loes Geurts, Dyanne Bito (both FFC Heike Rheine), Petra Hogewonning and Lieke Martens (both FCR Duisburg) have also represented German sides.
Canada also have a player with German knowhow – former SG Essen-Schönebeck player Emily Zurrer is in their squad. America’s Alex Krieger (1. FFC Frankfurt), Ashlyn Harris (FCR Duisburg) and Alyssa Naeher (Turbine Potsdam) have also featured in the Bundesliga, as have Nigeria’s Desire Operanozie (VfL Wolfsburg), Australia’s Tameka Butt (1. FFC Frankfurt). Her international teammate Emily van Egmond has joined 1. FFC Frankfurt ahead of the coming season.
On Saturday (22:00 CEST) Germany face Sweden in their Women’s World Cup last 16 clash. The game will be somewhat of a reunion for Nilla Fischer, who is well known to German supporters as she used to play for VfL Wolfsburg. She’s not the only person at the tournament who has Bundesliga links.
More than 60 players at the 2015 World Cup are currently contracted to Bundesliga clubs and have either already played in the division or will be embarking on their maiden campaign in the competition once this tournament is over. This all points to the fact that the German top-flight is one of the strongest leagues around.
It goes without saying that the Germany team have the most Bundesliga players in their squad. Out of the 23 players selected by Silvia Neid, 19 are domestically based. Only Nadine Angerer (Portland Thorns), Josephine Henning (Paris St. Germain) and Anja Mittag (FC Rosengard) play abroad. Annike Krahn has been playing for Paris St. Germain but has recently completed a transfer to Bayer Leverkusen.
Swiss powered by Bundesliga
The Switzerland team also feature a plethora of players currently playing in the Allianz-Frauen-Bundesliga. Ten of their squad are playing in the league: Carolin Abbé, Vanessa Bürki (FC Bayern München), Noelle Maritz, Vanessa Bernauer (VfL Wolfsburg), Lia Wälti (Turbine Potsdam), Ana Maria Crnogorcevic (1. FFC Frankfurt), Martina Moser (1899 Hoffenheim), Gaelle Thalmann, Rahel Kiwic (MSV Duisburg) and Rachel Rienast (1. FC Köln). Laura Betschart played in the division for VfL Sindelfingen previously.
Next season Lara Dickenmann (VfL Wolfsburg) and Cinzia Zehnder (SC Freiburg) will also be playing in the Bundesliga. It’s also worth noting that their head coach is German (Martina Voss-Tecklenburg).
Strong Japanese contingent
A number of the Japan squad play their club football for German outfits. Yuki Ogimi (VfL Wolfsburg), Asano Nagasato (Turbine Potsdam) and Mana Iwabuchi (FC Bayern München) are all aiming to help them regain their title. Kozue Ando (1. FFC Frankfurt) picked up an injury in the first round so will play no further part in the tournament. Saki Kumagai and Asuna Tanaka (both 1. FFC Frankfurt) used to play in Germany.
China’s Fei Wang (Turbine Potsdam), the Netherlands’ Vivianne Miedema and Norway’s Nora Holstad Berge (both FC Bayern München) are also involved. Spain’s Vero Boquete (1. FFC Frankfurt) and New Zealand duo Ria Percival and Amber Hearn (both USV Jena) have already headed home.
Former players shining
Noweigan pair Maren Mjelde and Ada Hegerberg have previously played in the top flight for 1. FFC Potsdam. Sweden’s Sara Thunebro (1. FFC Frankfurt), Sofia Jakobsson (BV Cloppenburg) and Olivia Schough (FC Bayern München) all have Bundesliga experience. Holland stars Loes Geurts, Dyanne Bito (both FFC Heike Rheine), Petra Hogewonning and Lieke Martens (both FCR Duisburg) have also represented German sides.
Canada also have a player with German knowhow – former SG Essen-Schönebeck player Emily Zurrer is in their squad. America’s Alex Krieger (1. FFC Frankfurt), Ashlyn Harris (FCR Duisburg) and Alyssa Naeher (Turbine Potsdam) have also featured in the Bundesliga, as have Nigeria’s Desire Operanozie (VfL Wolfsburg), Australia’s Tameka Butt (1. FFC Frankfurt). Her international teammate Emily van Egmond has joined 1. FFC Frankfurt ahead of the coming season.
