The debate is on: curse or blessing in disguise, a positive stimulus or just something that brings confusion to a very successful team. Followers of the German women’s team these days argue what the battle for the goalkeeper’s position is all about. Fact is - the reigning World- and European Champions have two great goalkeepers: Nadine Angerer, who played throughout the recent World Cup triumph withou relinquishing a single goal, and veteran Silke Rottenberg, who had been the undisputed No.1 goalie for so many years.
It’s Silvia Neid’s call, whether Angerer, 29, or Rottenberg, 36, will play at this summer’s Olympics. The German coach will reach this decision in her usual down-to-earth and unagitated way of handling the national team. Both players will receive ample opportunities to prove their merit. “We will alternate both goalkeepers”, says Neid. Angerer played in a 2-0 win over China in Freiburg, Rottenberg will take the field at the opening game of the Algarve Cup, a match against Denmark in Faro on Wednesday (2.15 P.M., live on ZDF). Rottenberg thus returns to the German goal for the first time since January 2007, when she tore a cruciate ligament at the Four-Nations-Tournament in Guangzhou, China.
The goalkeepers will alternate until May 29, when Germany face Wales in a qualifying game for the European Championships. “I don’t see this is a problem. It’s really a welcomed luxury to have two outstanding goalkeepers. Many women’s national teams envy us for having Nadine and Silke on our team. I’ll evaluate both their performances until the immediate preparation for Beijing starts”, says Neid.
The Olympic’s countdown starts around end of June. The team departs for China on July 30.
For now, the job is up for grabs. “As it is every year”, says Neid, emphasising that the situation is nothing new for the two contenders. “Both have been on the team for years. They know, that we’ll approach major tournaments with an open mind. Nobody can claim vested rights. The situation is as it always has been, even under my predecessor Tina Theune-Meyer.”
Practices run smoothly, the atmosphere could not be better. Silvia Neid: “They are professionals, Nadine and Silke are competing for the same job. It’s a very healthy competition, they are both growing because of the experience." "At the end of this process, they’ll have to cope with the final decision.”
