Champions step up preparations
Friday, July 24, 2009
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Germany begin the defence of their continental title one month today in Finland and step up their preparations with two home friendlies over the next week against the Netherlands and Japan.
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Germany begin the defence of their continental title one month today when they open their UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ campaign against the side they beat in the final four years ago – Norway – and step up their preparations with two friendlies over the next week.
Opposition
The Netherlands, runners-up behind Germany in their qualifying group, come to Sinsheim on Saturday and four days later in Mannheim the reigning world and European champions play Japan, who they beat 2-0 last year to claim Olympic bronze. Coach Silvia Neid, who will reduce the squad from 26 players to the final cut of 22 after these matches, believes their first games since a 1-1 draw against Brazil three months ago will allow her to see exactly how her team stands with their bid to take a fifth straight European title in Finland looming.
Hand-picked fixtures
"Both are top teams and they will reveal our weaknesses," Neid said. "These opponents haven't been selected by chance. The Dutch team play similarly to the way our group opponents Norway and Iceland play. They have a physical approach and are good in the tackle, they can easily switch from a short passing game to long balls. The Japanese players are technically gifted, they run a lot and they are tactically very disciplined. Japan are similar to [third Group B opponents] France."
Motivation
Neid has a fully-fit squad after recent training camps and the coach now wants the players to prove their worth as she finalises her selection for Finland. "Those who want to take part in the EURO have to show their class. I expect my team to show passion on the pitch and to be hungry for success. You have to play six games in two and a half weeks if you want to win the trophy. It's a tough programme and you need to dig deep, but we will be prepared for it."
Hot ticket
Her side were given their toughest tests by the Netherlands in qualifying, conceding what proved to be their only goal in the group in their opening home game in April 2007before going on to win 5-1 and being held to a narrow 1-0 victory in the return in Volendam seven months later. While the capacity at Sinsheim, home of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and a 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup venue, means this fixture will not quite attract the record 44,825 that watched Germany play Brazil in Frankfurt, an excellent 25,000 tickets have already been sold.
Big crowd
Netherlands midfielder Kirsten van den Ven said: "I've never played in front of such a big crowd, that's going to be fun." Her side finished second at a four-team tournament in Amsterdam earlier this month, beating Switzerland 5-0 and South Africa 3-2 before losing 4-2 to China and she added: "You can't afford to make a mistake against Germany, as you are punished immediately."
Germany squad
Goalkeepers: Nadine Angerer (1. FFC Frankfurt), Ursula Holl (FCR 2001 Duisburg), Alisa Vetterlein (VfL Wolfsburg), Lisa Weiss (SG Essen-Schönebeck).
Defenders: Kerstin Stegemann (Herforder SV), Saskia Bartusiak (1. FFC Frankfurt), Babett Peter (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam), Annike Krahn (FCR 2001 Duisburg), Sonja Fuss (1. FC Köln), Ariane Hingst (1. FFC Frankfurt), Navina Omilade (VfL Wolfsburg), Bianca Schmidt (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam).
Midfielders: Linda Bresonik (FCR 2001 Duisburg), Simone Laudehr (FCR 2001 Duisburg), Kerstin Garefrekes (1. FFC Frankfurt), Jennifer Zietz (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam), Isabell Bachor (FC Bayern München), Lena Goessling (SC 07 Bad Neuenahr), Kim Kulig (Hamburger SV).
Forwards: Melanie Behringer (FC Bayern München), Inka Grings (FCR 2001 Duisburg), Birgit Prinz (1. FFC Frankfurt), Anja Mittag (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam), Martina Müller (VfL Wolfsburg), Fatmire Bajramaj (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam), Célia Okoyino da Mbabi (SC 07 Bad Neuenahr).
Netherlands squad
Goalkeepers: Angela Christ (FC Utrecht), Petra Dugardein (Willem II), Loes Geurts (AZ Alkmaar), Sandra Swinkels (Willem II).
Defenders: Dyanne Bito (AZ Alkmaar), Marloes de Boer (FC Twente), Marije Brummel (SC Heerenveen), Jeanine van Dalen (ADO Den Haag), Petra Hogewoning (FC Utrecht), Daphne Koster (AZ Alkmaar), Karin Legemate (AZ Alkmaar), Manon Meulen (Willem II), Sylvia Nooy (ADO Den Haag).
Midfielders: Annemieke Kiesel-Griffioen (FCR 2001 Duisburg), Anouk Hoogendijk (FC Utrecht), Marlous Pieëte (FC Twente), Sherida Spitse (SC Heerenveen), Renee Slegers (Willem II), Kirsten van de Ven (Willem II), Lianne de Vries (FC Utrecht).
Forwards: Claudia van de Heiligenberg (AZ Alkmaar), Manon Melis (LdB Malmö FC), Sylvia Smit (SC Heerenveen), Karin Stevens (Willem II), Chantal de Ridder (AZ Alkmaar), Shanice van de Sanden (FC Utrecht).