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.
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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.
