Germany’s women’s team was at the pinnacle of European football at the beginning of the 21st century and twice World Champions too, in 2003 and 2007.
Times have changed and Germany have plenty of competition in Europe; but they are still one of the favourites to win the 2023 Women’s World Cup, behind only USA. And despite the playing field levelling as more nations improve, Germany were at the Euro 2022 final and were unlucky to finish as runners up.
So how do they rate as potential world champions? Here at SBOTOP, we’ve taken a look at Germany’s best players, their coach and the nations they have to beat to become World Champions.
Do the Germans have a chance? Of course, they do!
The Stars
Germany boast one of the best attacks in women’s football and one player sure to feature heavily in the Women’s World Cup 2023 highlights is 25 year old striker Lea Schuller. A quick-footed striker with a lethal finish she has won two Bundesliga titles with FC Bayern and has scored 41 goals in 57 appearances for the champions. She struggled to make her mark in the 2019 World Cup or in the 2022 Euros, but with 30 goals in 46 games for her country surely this Schuller’s time to shine.
She is the natural successor to Germany’s captain and top striker Alexandra Popp who has been one of the best players in the women’s game over the past decade, scoring 61 goals in 127 internationals. Popp scores all manner of goals; headers, volley and long-range stunners and, after missing the 2022 European Final through injury she will be determined to lead her team to victory in Australia.
At the other end of her career, 21 year old Wolfsburg midfielder, Lena Oberdorf is one of the most promising youngsters on the planet. A defensive midfielder, Oberdorf is a cultured player, very comfortable on the ball and with superb vision. She has already made 37 appearances for the Germany senior team, scoring three goals.
The Boss
One of most highly rated coaches in the game, Martina Voss-Tecklenburg has been leading the Germany team since 2019 and she represented her country with distinction as a player, making 125 international appearances. She is a four times Bundesliga winner with TSV Siegen and, as an experienced coach, she led FCR Duisburg to two DFB Pokals; and Voss-Tecklenburg managed Switzerland from 2012 to 2019 before taking over at Germany.
An inspirational figure on the touchline, the players know Voss-Tecklenburg is one of the team and will do everything in her power to bring success.
The Rivals
USA
The Stars and Stripes are the rock stars of women’s football and back-to-back reigning champions, and the current Women’s World Cup 2023 betting odds suggest they will make it three on the bounce. They have won 21 of their last 24 games and are yet to concede a goal in 2023; and it is up front where the USA have their biggest stars. The experienced Alex Morgan will lead the line while the exciting talent Sophia Smith will be a candidate for the Golden Boot, and 18 year old Alyssia Thompson could well make her first appearance at a major tournament.
USA will be the team to beat.
Australia
Hosts Australia have some great players to go along with their home advantage, none more so than the legendary Sam Kerr. The Matildas will hope to go deep into the competition and maybe even emulate England who won Euro 2022 on home soil. Australia are a force to be reckoned with, beating powerhouses England, Spain and Sweden over the past 12 months and, even though they come into the tournament with a few injuries, any team with Kerr in its 11 has a good chance.
England
The reigning European champions will have some new faces I their team at the World Cup, following the retirement of the brilliant Jill Scott and star striker Ellen White, while injuries to Beth Mead and Leah Williamson mean they too will be missing. But the Lionesses will still be a threat and head coach Sarina Wiegman has some talented new blood in her squad. Aston Villa striker Rachel Daly is a versatile player who can drop deeper if needed and even play at wingback, while attacking midfielder Alessia Russo has made a good case for a starting place after performing brilliantly from the bench at Euro 2022.
This is a team Germany really wants to beat. Having lost narrowly to England in the 2022 Euro final, they would love to taste some sweet revenge 12 months on.
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