When Alexandra Popp and the German women's soccer team play hosts England for the European Championship title on Sunday, numerous Bundesliga coaches, officials and national players will have their fingers crossed.
Sebastian Kehl is also one of the supporters: "I would really like the girls to win a title again. The last one was a few years ago. That would be really nice for football in Germany," said Borussia's sports director Dortmund before the grand finale (6 p.m./ARD and DAZN) on the Sky TV channel.
Kehl has particular sympathy for the top scorer and captain Popp, who has scored six goals for the team coached by national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg: "Alex is also a big BVB fan. So we keep our fingers crossed for her hits, it should work." National player Ilkay Gündogan from Manchester City can even imagine a playful one-two with the woman from Wolfsburg: "There would definitely be one or the other thing. I wouldn't worry too much about that now. The second goal against France, that was really strong. "
Julian Nagelsmann, coach of FC Bayern Munich, wants to follow the final from a fan's point of view. "When I watch the game on Sunday, I certainly won't sit there and write down tactical finesse, even if there are some," said the 35-year-old. "It's more about enjoying it, crossing your fingers that they get the title."
Glasner: Both teams deserved in the final
For Eintracht Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner, "the two best teams in this European Championship deserve to be in the final" in Germany and England. The 47-year-old has great respect for the performance that the women show: "Women's football has developed enormously and is technically at the very highest level. Also in the tactical area, how the spaces are narrowed and you work against the ball." Christian Streich from SC Freiburg is also certain: "There's really quality, that's really good football."
"It won't be easy against the hosts England, but I'm confident," said Domenico Tedesco, who will contest the Supercup against record champions Bayern Munich with cup winner RB Leipzig on Saturday (8:30 p.m. / Sat.1 and Sky).
Baumgart believes in titles
Even before kick-off, many are raving about the atmosphere that will prevail at Wembley Stadium. The DFB team now have "an amazing experience ahead of 90,000 fans in Wembley," said Hoffenheim coach André Breitenreiter: "It's a very special game and will release a lot of emotions."
Cologne's coach Steffen Baumgart was also a fan of the German women. "The team is doing a great job. They've improved from game to game. That's why I think they can still top it," said Baumgart on Thursday: "Now it's about knocking everything out again in the final. I trust a lot to them, and that's why it's nice to look at."
