Neid begins Germany reign
Monday, August 22, 2005
Article summary
New Germany coach Silvia Neid has called up four players not involved in UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ for two friendlies in Canada.
Article body
New Germany coach Silvia Neid has called up four players not involved in UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2005™ as she begins the daunting task of filling the shoes of Tina Theune-Meyer.
World Cup bid
The final act of Theune-Meyer’s reign was to successfully defend the European title in England in June, and now Nied is preparing for two friendlies against Canada prior to the start of their bid to retain the FIFA Women’s World Cup two years from now in China.
Stegemann returns
Neid, capped 111 times, was previously assisting Theuene-Meyer and coaching the Under-19s to world glory. She has named six centurions in her squad, including captain Birgit Prinz and Kerstin Stegemann, whose EURO campaign ended early due to a knee injury.
New quartet
“She has recovered very quickly and let’s face it if a Kerstin Stegemann is available for selection then she should be picked. Kerstin is good for the team,” said Neid. For the games in Vancouver on 1 September and Edmonton three days later, she has also included 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam duo Jennifer Zietz and Inken Becher, FCR 2001 Duisburg defender Annike Krahn and highly-touted 17-year old SC 07 Bad Neuenahr midfielder Célia Okoyino da Mbabi
Perfect warm-up
Germany’s World Cup campaign begins with the visit of Russia on 25 September before further Group 4 fixtures against Scotland, Switzerland and the Republic of Ireland, and Neid believes their North American hosts will provide the perfect warm-up. “Canada have got an excellent side and they will definitely push us,” she said.
Germany squad
Goalkeepers: Silke Rottenberg (FCR 2001 Duisburg), Nadine Angerer (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam).
Defenders: Kerstin Stegemann (FFC Heike Rheine), Inken Becher (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam), Steffi Jones (1. FFC Frankfurt), Annike Krahn (FCR 2001 Duisburg), Sandra Minnert (SC 07 Bad Neuenahr), Ariane Hingst (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam).
Midfielders: Britta Carlson (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam), Célia Okoyino da Mbabi (SC 07 Bad Neuenahr), Renate Lingor (1. FFC Frankfurt), Jennifer Zietz (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam), Kerstin Garefrekes (1. FFC Frankfurt).
Forwards: Inka Grings (FCR 2001 Duisburg), Birgit Prinz (1. FFC Frankfurt), Anja Mittag (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam), Conny Pohlers (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam), Petra Wimbersky (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam).
