Just one win away: For the Women’s national team the dream is in sight, as they are just one step away from an unprecedented Olympic gold medal. Following the 2-0 semi final win over Canada in Belo Horizonte, the Silvia Neid’s team have secured a place in the final against Sweden this Friday (22.30 CEST). In an interview with DFB goalkeeper Almuth Schult, who won player of the match with 26.6% of the votes ahead of Sara Däbritz (25.7%), talks about entry into the final, a familiar friend in the Sweden team and the final itself at the Maracana Stadium.
DFB: Ms. Schult, You bumped into the Canada head coach John Herdman in the lift after the game. What did you talk about?
Almuth Schult: He was obviously disappointed that his side had lost and would be travelling to Sao Paolo to compete for the bronze medal. But he also wished us good luck for the final and acknowledged that I kept well. He praised me for my performance and said that one of my saves was really important. I thanked him for his kind words and wished him and his team well for their last game. The trip in the lift wasn’t that long, so it was only a quick chat.
DFB: What were your thoughts on the game?
Schult: It was a very exciting game. We had to fight right to the end to keep theclean sheet. But we’re really happy that we could scored two goals against a very well organised Canadian defence and keep their attack in check. Canada have some dangerous strikers and they have shown right through the tournament just how effective they are in front of goal.
DFB: Even the Canadian keeper came up in the dying stages. How much pressure was on you at that stage?
Schult: You could really feel the pressure building. Canada kept coming hard at us and threatening the goal. But we had a two goal lead and towards the end I knew we would hold on. Everyone fought for each other. In the first half they came very close before Tabea cleared the danger, after that I could deal with what came my way. I think we played well as a team throughout.
DFB: You come up against Sweden in the final on Friday. What do you make of their team? Pia Sundhage’s team have already seen off the threat of host nation Brazil in the semi-finals.
Just one win away: For the Women’s national team the dream is in sight, as they are just one step away from an unprecedented Olympic gold medal. Following the 2-0 semi final win over Canada in Belo Horizonte, the Silvia Neid’s team have secured a place in the final against Sweden this Friday (22.30 CEST). In an interview with DFB goalkeeper Almuth Schult, who won player of the match with 26.6% of the votes ahead of Sara Däbritz (25.7%), talks about entry into the final, a familiar friend in the Sweden team and the final itself at the Maracana Stadium.
DFB: Ms. Schult, You bumped into the Canada head coach John Herdman in the lift after the game. What did you talk about?
Almuth Schult: He was obviously disappointed that his side had lost and would be travelling to Sao Paolo to compete for the bronze medal. But he also wished us good luck for the final and acknowledged that I kept well. He praised me for my performance and said that one of my saves was really important. I thanked him for his kind words and wished him and his team well for their last game. The trip in the lift wasn’t that long, so it was only a quick chat.
DFB: What were your thoughts on the game?
Schult: It was a very exciting game. We had to fight right to the end to keep theclean sheet. But we’re really happy that we could scored two goals against a very well organised Canadian defence and keep their attack in check. Canada have some dangerous strikers and they have shown right through the tournament just how effective they are in front of goal.
DFB: Even the Canadian keeper came up in the dying stages. How much pressure was on you at that stage?
Schult: You could really feel the pressure building. Canada kept coming hard at us and threatening the goal. But we had a two goal lead and towards the end I knew we would hold on. Everyone fought for each other. In the first half they came very close before Tabea cleared the danger, after that I could deal with what came my way. I think we played well as a team throughout.
DFB: You come up against Sweden in the final on Friday. What do you make of their team? Pia Sundhage’s team have already seen off the threat of host nation Brazil in the semi-finals.
Schult: Sweden are a fantastic team. They have already shown that they are very strong at the back. They work hard and they aren’t afraid of a tackle but play in a fair play. They don’t make any tactical fouls or bad challenges. Also with their quick strikers they are very speedy on the counter-attack. I think it will be a very physical but exciting game. I hope that we can capitalise early and then keep out the Swedish attack.
DFB: You will also come up against a Wolfsburg teammate in Nilla Fischer on Friday. It is usually her who organises the defence in front of you at club level. How do you find that?
Schult: It’s quite funny actually because we are really good friends and always room with each other on away trips. Now we are playing in an Olympic final against each other, so it’s a strange situation. But because she’s a defender and I’m in goal, we won't come too close to each other during the game! Apart from maybe when Nilla comes up for set pieces where she is very dangerous. I get on so well with her but I am absolutely determined to win against her.
DFB: What’s the mood like in the camp?
Schult: We’ve got a great team spirit. We’re always having fun, we always sit next to someone different at dinner and mix together well. We really are a tight knit unit. Even the players who aren’t in the squad contribute to the great atmosphere around the group. It couldn’t be any better. What’s great is we are improving from day to day and with each experience grow stronger together. It's been great to have reached the final with this team.
DFB: How excited are you to play in the legendary Maracana stadium?
Schult: For two years now since the men played in the World Cup final there, I have always thought it must be a dream to play in this famous stadium. So it seems a bit too good to be true that the Olympic final will take place there. After I had heard that the final would be played at the Maracana, I had the goal of playing there, and now the moment is here. It’s an exciting time and that excitement just keeps building when I think about it. It will be an honour to play there and I’m sure we will enjoy it. The aim is to obviously win, but it won’t be easy.
