Lena Lotzen and Saskia Bartusiak are among 27 players who have been selected in Silvia Neid’s provisional squad for this year’s Women’s World Cup, which takes place in Canada. The players will link up for a training camp in Feusisberg, Switzerland on 18th May. Bartusiak returned to the squad for the friendly against Brazil last month after a long lay-off – this will be the first time that Lotzen has been selected since last August.
“We’re delighted that Saskia and Lena are back with us. They have an important role to play in the team and have impressed in the Bundesliga recently. I’m certain that they will develop as a result of being in the camp,” said Neid.
23 outfielders and four goalkeepers have been included in the squad for the training camp. During the camp they will face Switzerland in a friendly, which will take place in Baden (27th May, 17:00 CEST).
Final squad to be named on 24th May
Neid went on to say that “in the first few days we’ll be doing regenerative exercises in order to establish what condition the players are in. We’ll then look at tactics before preparing for the friendly against Switzerland.”
The game against the Swiss, who are coached by former Germany international Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, offers a good test for the DFB team. Switzerland will be competing in their first World Cup this year. “They’ve beaten Sweden and Norway recently, which shows that they’re a good side. They are strong offensively. The game will help us see where we stand,” added Neid.
By the time that game comes around, the squad will have been cut to 20 outfielders and three goalkeepers. The final squad for the tournament will be named on 24th May.