Over 21,000 fans were present in Portland to give retiring Germany international goalkeeper Nadine Angerer a rousing send-off. In Portland Thorns’ final home game of the NWSL season, which ended 3-3, the former Germany international with 146 caps was honoured at a sold-out Providence Park with a framed shirt before the game.
In an interview, “Natze” has spoken about her emotional goodbye, the extraordinary fans in the USA and her retirement.
Question: Nadine Angerer, how did you feel before this special game? And how do you feel now?
Nadine Angerer: I was and I do feel good, except that we didn’t win. Portland is one of the best places that I could’ve ended my career.
Question: Was there a moment when you felt the tears might start to flow?
Angerer: Rachel van Hollebeke (an American teammate) nearly reduced me to tears. She is really emotional and she nearly passed it on to me. But I just held her in my arms and we got through it.
Question: It was not the best start to your final home game to concede by being nutmegged.
Angerer: Yes, that was cheeky (laughs). But my lord you can’t do anything. In a game like this it’s just about enjoying the atmosphere and giving another good performance for the fans. And that’s what we did.
Over 21,000 fans were present in Portland to give retiring Germany international goalkeeper Nadine Angerer a rousing send-off. In Portland Thorns’ final home game of the NWSL season, which ended 3-3, the former Germany international with 146 caps was honoured at a sold-out Providence Park with a framed shirt before the game.
In an interview, “Natze” has spoken about her emotional goodbye, the extraordinary fans in the USA and her retirement.
Question: Nadine Angerer, how did you feel before this special game? And how do you feel now?
Nadine Angerer: I was and I do feel good, except that we didn’t win. Portland is one of the best places that I could’ve ended my career.
Question: Was there a moment when you felt the tears might start to flow?
Angerer: Rachel van Hollebeke (an American teammate) nearly reduced me to tears. She is really emotional and she nearly passed it on to me. But I just held her in my arms and we got through it.
Question: It was not the best start to your final home game to concede by being nutmegged.
Angerer: Yes, that was cheeky (laughs). But my lord you can’t do anything. In a game like this it’s just about enjoying the atmosphere and giving another good performance for the fans. And that’s what we did.
Question: Did you really plan for your last game to be in front of these extraordinary fans?
Angerer: Absolutely, I planned it after the World Cup. It was a deliberate decision and I’m now looking forward to my time after football. I have no regrets and I’m really looking forward to working as a coach now. Being a footballer is nice, but it takes a lot of exertion and I’m glad that I won’t have that anymore. With every award, with every passing year, the pressure grew.
Question: You were given some gifts as a farewell by the fans…
Angerer: The fans here really are incredible. Of course they make everything really emotional. They are the best fans in the world.
Question: You can now celebrate your impending retirement. Does the idea of being a retired footballer not upset you?
Angerer: Absolutely not. I’m looking forward to it. I’m still fit for a retiree. And I have great friends here so I’m looking forward to celebrating my farewell with them.
