Germany is dependent on other results in the group as both France and the USA are already on six points. The two best group winners will face each other in the final on Wednesday while the other teams will be paired up depending on where they finish in the groups to decide the overall tournament standings.
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Sunbathing, taking a stroll, playing on the games console: As Luisa Wensing made her way home the day after suffering a fibula fracture, her teammates tried to distract themselves from the bad news on their afternoon off. Following the injury to the VfL Wolfsburg defender in the game against China (2-0), the team have added motivation ahead of the final group game against Brazil on Monday (18:30 CET). “We want to get a result for all those who are injured,” said Alexandra Popp.
Good friend "Lulle" suffered an unfortunate fibula fracture and it has also been announced that teammate Nadine Keßler requires knee surgery. "That is so disappointing,” said goalkeeper Almuth Schult: "Kessi is an important person; she contributed lots when we won the European Championship in 2013.”
Just like before the European Championship triumph and with only three months to go until the World Cup, manager Silvia Neid has to deal with the loss of six established players and must therefore introduce new faces to the squad. Lena Petermann, Anna Blässe and Margarita Gidion all made their debuts in the 2-0 win over China. The manager made eight changes to the starting line-up.
Sara Däbritz confident
"It is important to look at the entire game and how they assert themselves against other countries," said Neid. She took courage from the outstanding performance of Sara Däbritz. The u20 World Champion featured in her twelfth international game and played in defensive midfield in place of Lena Goeßling, who missed out because of a knee injury. "Sara has come on in leaps and bounds which is great to see,” said the manager when discussing the 20-year-old.
After the 4-2 opening defeat, the players’ confidence was fuelled by the China victory. Neid made numerous changes to the starting line-up for the game. "The positive is that our performance improved,” continued Schult, who replaced Nadine Angerer in goal for the second game.
Final group game against Brazil
The team needs to put in an improved performance to overcome Brazil and five-time World Player of the Year Marta. "Hopefully we’ll then have six points and still be in with the chance of winning the group,” said Schult.
Germany is dependent on other results in the group as both France and the USA are already on six points. The two best group winners will face each other in the final on Wednesday while the other teams will be paired up depending on where they finish in the groups to decide the overall tournament standings.