This year's Algarve Cup played host to some of women's football's biggest global stars, including Abby Wambach, Lotta Schelin and Homare Sawa. But it was Germany's Dzsenifer Marozsan who was named Player of the Tournament after her team's 3-0 win against Japan in Wednesday's final - an accolade the 21-year-old fully deserved.
On Portugal's Atlantic coast, 1. FFC Frankfurt's creative midfielder once again showed what an asset she is. Her response to the award was typically matter-of-fact: "Of course, it's great to be recognised as the best player here", she said. "It makes me extremely proud, but I'd never have managed it without the girls. I'm pleased that we won the title as a team."
Four goals in four games
What may initially sound like empty football clichés is anything but. Although Marozsan is an incredibly technical and precise player who can score unstoppable goals from great distances and whose talent is unmatched within the Germany squad, she is also a staunch team player. The midfielder admires Cristiano Ronaldo and shares his view that individual performances mean nothing unless they contribute to collective achievements.
Marozsan scored four goals in four games during this year's Algarve Cup, each one more stunning than the last. She even contributed a goal in Germany's 3-0 final victory over Japan, lining up a fantastically crafted shot from 20 metres out. Nevertheless, it is not only her scoring prowess that makes her such a valuable player. The 21-year-old, who has scored 18 goals in 33 international appearances to date, took another step in her development on the Algarve.
Strong performances, even in defence
Marozsan is typically deployed in the number 10 role for Germany, creating chances behind a central striker. However, national team coach Silvia Neid used the Algarve Cup to experiment with her side and assigned the Frankfurt midfielder in the number 6 role for two matches. Marozsan responded by delivering two impressive performances in the heart of defence against Norway and Japan, pushing forward while also working extremely hard to track back and fulfil the role of a defensive midfielder.
"I've got used to that over time, having played there for my club too", said Marozsan. "It's definitely something different to play in that position for Germany, but it's great fun. It gives me space and allows me to dictate play much earlier. Of course, it's a challenge too, as I’ve still got a lot to learn about defending."
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This year's Algarve Cup played host to some of women's football's biggest global stars, including Abby Wambach, Lotta Schelin and Homare Sawa. But it was Germany's Dzsenifer Marozsan who was named Player of the Tournament after her team's 3-0 win against Japan in Wednesday's final - an accolade the 21-year-old fully deserved.
On Portugal's Atlantic coast, 1. FFC Frankfurt's creative midfielder once again showed what an asset she is. Her response to the award was typically matter-of-fact: "Of course, it's great to be recognised as the best player here", she said. "It makes me extremely proud, but I'd never have managed it without the girls. I'm pleased that we won the title as a team."
Four goals in four games
What may initially sound like empty football clichés is anything but. Although Marozsan is an incredibly technical and precise player who can score unstoppable goals from great distances and whose talent is unmatched within the Germany squad, she is also a staunch team player. The midfielder admires Cristiano Ronaldo and shares his view that individual performances mean nothing unless they contribute to collective achievements.
Marozsan scored four goals in four games during this year's Algarve Cup, each one more stunning than the last. She even contributed a goal in Germany's 3-0 final victory over Japan, lining up a fantastically crafted shot from 20 metres out. Nevertheless, it is not only her scoring prowess that makes her such a valuable player. The 21-year-old, who has scored 18 goals in 33 international appearances to date, took another step in her development on the Algarve.
Strong performances, even in defence
Marozsan is typically deployed in the number 10 role for Germany, creating chances behind a central striker. However, national team coach Silvia Neid used the Algarve Cup to experiment with her side and assigned the Frankfurt midfielder in the number 6 role for two matches. Marozsan responded by delivering two impressive performances in the heart of defence against Norway and Japan, pushing forward while also working extremely hard to track back and fulfil the role of a defensive midfielder.
"I've got used to that over time, having played there for my club too", said Marozsan. "It's definitely something different to play in that position for Germany, but it's great fun. It gives me space and allows me to dictate play much earlier. Of course, it's a challenge too, as I’ve still got a lot to learn about defending."
"Totally cool" final victory against world champions Japan
She remains modest and unflustered, and finds nothing worse than people making too much a fuss of her. She is proud of the dominant way in which her team won the Algarve Cup, conceding only one goal along the way, and describes it succinctly. "It was totally cool. In the final, we did exactly what we set out to do. It was so much fun."
It was also interesting to see Marozsan playing alongside Nadine Keßler in defensive midfield during the second half. The 21-year-old has been friends with "Kessi" for many years, having first thrown the ball to her idol as a ballgirl at 1. FC Saarbrücken before playing alongside her for the same team. Marozsan grew up there and made her way through the highly-regarded Saarbrücken academy, which was awarded the 2013 Hermann Neuberger Award for exceptional services to girls' football.
The two players parted ways after Saarbrücken, with Marozsan moving to 1. FFC Frankfurt and Keßler transferring to Potsdam, but they have been reunited with the national team for some time now. "It was always our dream to play alongside each other", said Marozsan. "It's great when you’ve been through so much together."
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World Cup qualification in sight
In summary, the Algarve Cup went to plan for Germany. The team delivered convincing performances, with new players adapting seamlessly to their roles. Dzsenifer Marozsan sees this as a good sign: "We improved from match to match and developed as a team. In the final, we proved we're on the right track. It’s great preparation for the World Cup qualifiers."
Those qualifying matches continue in April, starting with a trip to Dublin on 5 April (live on ZDF from 16:00 CET) to play Ireland, who currently lie second in Group 1 and impressed in a narrow 2-1 defeat by Canada in the Cyprus Cup. Germany then host Slovenia in Mannheim in their first home game of the year on 10 April (live on ARD from 18:00 CET), giving fans a great chance to see Dzsenifer Marozsan's artistry up close.
