Germany's women’s football team returns to the Olympics after missing out on the previous edition having won the Gold in 2016. Die Nationalelf has struggled in major tournaments recently with an embarrassing group stage exit in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and failing to reach the final of the inaugural Nations League. However, the team has successfully entered the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 group stages under interim coach Horst Hrubesch and wants to carry the momentum to Paris.
Hrubesch will manage the Olympics before Christian Wück takes charge but the tournament will throw up a severe challenge. Germany will face Zambia, last World Cup host Australia and record Gold medalists USA in Olympics Women’s Football Tournament Group B. While the team’s core has been retained, key midfielder Lena Oberdorf pulling out on the brink of the tournament due to an ACL tear in the last Euro qualifiers is a major concern for the side.
History
Germany has taken part in five Olympic games with their best performance coming in 2016 at Rio by winning the Gold for the first time. Die Nationalelf beat Sweden 2-1 in the final on that occasion with Dzsenifer Marozsán and an own goal from Linda Sembrant deciding the outcome for Germany with Stina Blackstenius's strike later on failed to pull off a comeback. Melanie Behringer won the Golden Boot with five goals, the joint-most with Birgit Prinz in a single edition. The record goal-scorer for her nation, Prinz is also the top scorer in the Olympics for her side with 10 goals to her name. Germany also won a series of Bronze medals from 2000 to 2008 after finishing in the group stage of the inaugural women’s football tournament in 1996.
Qualification for Olympics 2024
The inaugural Nations League served as the qualification for the Olympics with League A group winners advancing to the tournament. Germany managed to sneak a point ahead of Denmark to finish top of their group despite losing the first match against the Danes. The team collected 13 points from six matches and was helped by Denmark losing to Iceland in the final group game while they drew goalless with Wales. Germany finished third in the tournament defeating the Netherlands after the semifinal defeat to Olympics hosts France.
Germany Squad for Olympics 2024
Goalkeepers: Merle Frohms (Wolfsburg), Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham)
Defenders: Marina Hegering (Wolfsburg), Sarai Linder (Hoffenheim), Giulia Gwinn (Bayern Munich), Bibiane Schulze (Athletic Bilbao), Sara Doorsoun (Frankfurt), Kathrin Hendrich (Wolfsburg)
Midfielders: Sjoeke Nüsken (Chelsea), Elisa Senss (Frankfurt), Sydney Lohmann (Bayern Munich), Laura Freigang (Frankfurt)
Forwards: Alexandra Popp (Wolfsburg), Lea Schüller (Bayern Munich), Klara Bühl (Bayern Munich), Jule Brand (Wolfsburg), Vivien Endemann (Wolfsburg)
Captain: Alexandra Popp
Head Coach: Horst Hrubesch
How will Germany lineup at the Olympics 2024
Frankfurt’s Elisa Senss will likely replace the injured Oberdorf in midfield, partnering with Chelsea star Sjoeke Nüsken. Bayern Munich’s Sydney Lohmann could easily be the preferred candidate to step into the middle of the park. The competition for the number one spot is fierce with Ann-Katrin Berger pushing Merle Frohms to start in between the sticks. The rest of the position seems assured with Alexandra Popp teaming up with Lea Schüller up front to increase her goal tally in major competitions.
Germany Fixtures for the Olympics 2024
Thursday, 25 July 2024
Germany vs Australia - Stade Velodrome, Marseille (22:30)
Monday, 29 July 2024
USA vs Germany - Stade Velodrome, Marseille (00:30)
Sunday, 31 July 2024
Zambia vs Germany - Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, St Etienne (00:30)
Prediction
Germany will face a challenging group in the Olympics. Even if they make it to the knockouts being in the top two of their group or as one of the best third-place teams, they are bound to face a similar or higher-ranked opposition in the quarterfinals likely Brazil, Japan or world champions Spain if Nigeria don’t cause an upset from Group C. Hence, a repeat of 2016 looks unlikely for the team that will miss a key player and is missing their elite mentality in recent years. In their group, the USA are the favourites to claim the top spot so the fight will be against Australia primarily for the runners-up spot but with no great favour.
