She beams with laughter with her team mates. Bianca Schmidt is clearly in a good mood and she has every right to be. Just a few days ago she was part of an 1. FFC Frankfurt team that won 2-1 in the Champions League final against Paris St. Germain. Since Monday, Bianca has been with the national team as she prepares for the World Cup in Canada (6th June-5th July). “It’s so exciting to be experience all of this”, said Schmidt, who made her international debut in 2009.
“The Champions League last Thursday overwhelmed us all”, said the 25 year old. “Celia [Sasic] and Dzenifer [Marozsan] had tears in their eyes and I couldn’t stop smiling.” The Frankfurt side sealed the win with a last-gasp winner from Mandy Islacker in the second minute of additional time and soon after the emotions began to run wild into the night. On top of that, Bianca admits “I have been thinking about it all weekend. You can never forget this.”
"We belong to a small circle of selected players"
For now though, there is more to worry about and the great triumph must be set aside for the time being. Now it’s all about the national team and the World Cup in Canada. To win the Champions League and then be called upon for the national side so soon after is no easy task. The players from Frankfurt will most certainly be feeling the physical effects of Thursday’s final.
“I’m happy that we have time to recover first here in Switzerland”, said Schmidt. On the first day we trained separately and were treated too. As a result I feel a lot fitter today.” Despite that, Tuesday’s training will also be focussed on recovery.
Then they flash back to the recent success in Europe, as the win proves additional motivation for Bianca going into this important phase with the national team. “I am very pleased that preparations for the World Cup have begun. Every single player here in Switzerland is highly motivated. We belong to a small circle of selected players.”