The German women’s football team began their European Championship year with a challenging 2:2 draw against the Netherlands in their Nations League opener. After falling behind early, they fought back to take the lead, only to concede an equalizer from Bundesliga striker Lineth Beerensteyn. Despite showing moments of promise, inconsistencies raised concerns ahead of the upcoming tournament in Switzerland, where they will next face Austria.
The German women’s football team kicks off the EM year with a hard-fought draw against the Netherlands. In their inaugural Nations League match, they faced an early setback, rallied to take the lead, but ultimately allowed the opposition to level the score with a goal from a Bundesliga striker.
In a performance marked by inconsistencies, the German women’s national team missed a prime opportunity to assert their strength at the start of the EM year. In a high-stakes match against the Netherlands, the team coached by Christian Wück managed to salvage a 2:2 (1:1) draw. Despite the result, they showcased vulnerabilities that could be concerning as they approach the European Championship this summer.
‘We didn’t start well,’ commented national player Laura Freigang, noting that the team showed improvement as the game progressed. ‘It’s disappointing after taking a 2:1 lead, but we will learn from this experience.’ Captain Giulia Gwinn added, ‘The match had its highs and lows.’
Lea Schüller (45.+1) and Sjoeke Nüsken (50) played pivotal roles in turning the match around for Germany in the second half, following Lineth Beerensteyn’s (13) opening goal for the Netherlands. Beerensteyn later equalized with another goal in the 66th minute. Following their first draw under Wück, the DFB women are set to face Austria on Tuesday (6:15 PM/ZDF and in the live ticker) in Nuremberg as they gear up for the tournament in Switzerland from July 2 to 27.
Beerensteyn Outsprints the DFB Debutant
In goal, Wück opted for Olympic hero Ann-Katrin Berger, who is seen as a ‘lighthouse’ for the defense due to her experience. With the absence of Kathrin Hendrich and Sara Doorsoun, Rebecca Knaak made her debut in defense.
However, Knaak had a challenging start. In a chaotic opening phase, the quick-footed Wolfsburg striker Beerensteyn managed to break free, leaving Berger with no chance to stop her shot. Wück’s frustration was evident as he urged his team to find their rhythm after a sluggish beginning.
With a desire to solidify their strategy, Wück had declared prior to the match that the time for experimentation was over. ‘We have a clear framework in mind,’ the 51-year-old emphasized. Yet, in Breda, the team initially struggled to find their footing. Giulia Gwinn, leading the DFB team for the first time as captain, attempted to rally her teammates with a situational briefing midway through the first half, which had limited impact despite the Dutch team becoming more passive.
Luck Plays a Role in the Final Outcome
Laura Freigang had the first significant chance for Germany (30), but her shot was taken too hastily. Additional offensive efforts fell flat until Klara Bühl delivered a precise cross just before halftime, setting up Schüller for a powerful header that found the back of the net.
Emerging from the locker room with renewed energy, the German team quickly reaped the rewards. Jule Brand executed a remarkable solo run, assisting Nüsken, who kept her composure to score. Shortly after, Schüller narrowly missed out on adding a third goal with another header (51).
After the break, the Olympic bronze medalists, who secured their Olympic ticket during their last encounter with the Netherlands last year (2:0), began to dominate the play. However, defensive lapses persisted, as Bühl and Sarai Linder were outmaneuvered on the left flank, allowing Beerensteyn to equalize with a header. Knaak came close to scoring with a header that went just wide (77), and in the dying minutes, the DFB team relied on a bit of luck to maintain the draw.