German Fraulein National Team 2020 & beyond

If you read Women's World Cup 2 Billion Viewers and World Cup of Rugby 17 Million Viewers you should know that this statistic is nonsense.

17 million is the number of viewers of the opening match between France and New Zealand in France. One match of 48 matches at the World Cup and in one country only. For Women's World Cup we have "2 billion people were expected to view some portion of the tournament" while Summer Games have a "global average reach of 2 billion viewers". Total different definition of viewers for different sport competitions. And where are all the sporting events missing like the Ice Hockey World Championship with more than 1 billion viewers?

 

Sorry, here's the link of where I found the data on viewing numbers...
https://www.roadtrips.com/blog/the-most-watched-sporting-events-in-the-world/

This is their methodology for creating the rankings...
"As recently as a decade ago, determining the most watched sporting events was much simpler — you simply looked at TV ratings and noted the viewership numbers. However, today, viewers are tuning into their favorite events in ways that are more convenient and accessible."

Our methodology for ranking the most watched sports events worldwide incorporates:

• TV Viewership (including streaming)
• Duration of Viewership and Peak Viewership Levels
• Most Recent Event

 

More from the article....

In countries around the world, the 2023 Women’s World Cup broke viewership records:

• At peak moments during the semi-final game between Australia and England, 11.15 million people were watching, which are the highest viewership numbers recorded for this portion of the tournament.
• In China, 53.9 million people watched the China versus England match, which was the highest single-game TV audience ever recorded in the country.
• In peak moments, 12 million viewers were watching the tournament in England on BBC One — meaning more people watched the women’s match then the men’s Wimbledon final in July 2023.

If people don't like the thought of WWC events taking place in historically male dominated football regions of world, try to consider how much bigger the WWC could be with the full attention of a football fanatic demographic like the South America's.

As it obvious right now another by the numbers, we've seen it all before, highly pacified WWC taking place anywhere still does strong numbers. But finally taking the WWC to strong male football nation like Brazil, actually see's FIFA take an intelligent risk that could payoff massively for the wider game as a whole, when you consider just how much of an untapped market South America still is for Women's football.

Home to some of the worlds oldest clubs, factually home to the worlds oldest international competition, having produced some of sports (male and female) most influential players, birthing a passionate fan culture that has also influenced the best and worst elements of the global game too.

If FIFA see's the same type of growth in interest it's found holding previous senior WWC's, a WWC taking place in Brazil should be viewed as a legit exciting moment for media, fans, and players, all connected to the upward movement of women's football.

 

Hmmmmm.... I think I'm not the only person who's noticed Frohms making some really strange errors this season when it comes to her no longer attempting to catch very basic high ball played into her penalty box.

But with Hrubesch's latest decision to claim he has three #1 goalkeepers, does this mean he's also noticed the same inconsistencies in elements of Frohms game, and feels the need to force competition between his GK's to find the best option to start the Olympics...

I know Germany has a lot of depth at GK. But seeing a different GK being used for every game prior the Olympics is a very strange decision for a coach to make, no...?

 

Are the players training and staying in Frankfurt ahead of the Poland game? I'm in Frankfurt for a few days, that's why I'm asking.

 

Yes, Thursday they will travel to Rostock.

 

I decided to take a closer look at the season performances from 3 of the wnt's most prominent names all currently playing their football outside the 1.Bundesliga. (Magull, Nüsken, Solano)

And wow... it's crazy thinking how Solano's been fast tracked into the senior wnt at the cost of Kleinherne, when all the various data I'm looking at would suggest it Kleinherne the EXACT type of CB the wnt coaches would want in their system right now...

Kleinherne dominating in every area I look... yes, even in heading (the weakest element of her game), the data has Kleinherne wining a higher percentage of her aerial duels lol.

But for me, when I'm seeing successful progressive dribbling data, and successful progressive passing data, have Kleinherne destroying supposedly superior passing Solano this season, I start to wonder if Kleinherne's absence from the wnt might be due to something outside of her quality of performance...

And no... this isn't me being biased or highly selective with my analysis either, as when I compare ALL defensive data between these two players, it only ends with Kleinherne absolutely dominating Solano in every category...

Seriously... I don't have any issue with Solano, and would love to see her succeed, as it will likely see Germany succeed too. But the huge difference in the numbers between these two defenders is honestly shocking lol.

And even if the wnt coaches can't accept the eye test, they surely have even more data that should tell them they've potentially made a legit error in their player analysis here...

 

Next up I decided to look at Nüsken's data this season, only to find it absolutely confirm my belief she's just been an inferior version of Oberdorf, who still doesn't demonstrate enough unique differences in her overall game to potentially create a balanced CM in the same mid-field as Oberdorf...

Meaning with all the options available to Hrubesch, as I'll eventually talk about with Magull, it's starting to appear more like the CM within the wnt squad aren't really being selecting on form, or the quality they provide for better positional team balance...

As right now Nüsken will play everywhere (CMDM/CAM) for her club and the wnt, but do so while the German wnt coaches have genuine specialists for each role, all capable of providing a better unique set of tactical options during games.

Not an elite CAM, not an elite DM either, and not even the wnt's best box to box CM. Nüsken should 100% be going to the Olympics, but I think it very interesting seeing her elevated status right now, when a closer look instantly tells you Oberdorf - Senß the best CM duo Hrubesch could select right now...

 

Last I decided to look at Magull, and noticed she's still operating like an elite level CAM/CM within Italy's Serie A Femminile, showcasing qualities the wnt seriously continues to lack without her presence on the field, or an option on the bench.

Be it controlling play, creating chances, or simply understanding how to pressure high and win the ball effectively, she's still one of the best CAM/CM Germany has right now.

So I don't know what Magull's done or said to damage her opportunities to remain part of the wnt's plans, but very similar to Kleinherne, no way can poor form be a realistic reason behind her not being a regular feature on the wnt anymore...

I mean... I fully understand Germany having depth in her proffered positions. But leaving out Magull so a bench warming Lohmann, a horrible season at CB Minge, and a highly underwhelming Freigang, can all get to play a part in future competitive wnt games...

Minge is going to become a very good/respected CM, Lohmann should have honestly developed into a world class CM by now.., with Freigang never living up to her potential/clout. But even exiled to Italy, we haven't seen any decline in Magull's productivity, as she continues to perform to a standard above many of her wnt peers.

Just as a proven goal scorer, it's crazy thinking Magull intentionally being left out right now, when she's accomplished the 4th highest total within Hrubesch's squad.

 

The u20's were playing another WC test match today, found themselves losing 2-0 at HT vs Poland's u23, but would eventually win the game 2-3 thanks to a strong 2nd half comeback.

But damn... if all the signs weren't already pointing to Peter having another disastrous u20 WWC, I think it's even crazier how this potentially set to happen with her having access to a cycle of talent it should be considered almost close to impossible to fail...

Supposedly using a 4-1-2-2-1.. I'm guessing her starting line up looked like this....
Baum ------ Steiner ------- Zicai
------- Sehitler ---- Platner --------
--------------- Zdebel ---------------
Hills --- Pucks --- Veit ---- Szenk
---------------- Hoppe ----------------
Steiner (53.) Şehitler (59.) Platner (75.) the 3 players scoring in the 2nd half goals. Something else I noticed here was the complete absence of Alber...

And with no mention of why Alber not part of the latest u20 squad, I think it would be absolutely indicative of the general degradation of Germany's wnt program, if Alber thought being healthy for a new Hoffenheim coach more important to her future, and didn't even consider the u20 WC worth her time lol.

 

... Do you not understand what stage of development this team is at right now lol...? After all you've witnessed, in what reality has MVT's Germany come through a WC, and been in a position right now to be using the 3rd round of Euro qualifiers and easy win meaningless international friendlies...

Post MVT, all Hrubesch has done is try to rebuild the absolute tactical disaster that was left in her wake. Making the next match Vs Poland just another important game for these players to continue establishing Hrubesch's style of play, no?

And honestly... in my opinion, until Hrubesch fixes this teams mid-field tactical concerns, there's no point talking about a squad of 18, when his first 11 still can't function correctly over 90 mins...

 

Olympic Games opponent watch:
Australia vs China 1:1

 

Austria - Iceland 1:0 (Puntigam(26p))

 

Oh, I don't disagree with you wanting to see Endemann and Anyomi better integrated into this team, as it's pretty obvious these two have been among the very best German club players all season when it comes to the general effectiveness creating and scoring goals.

But I don't see where Anyomi or Endemann need to be introduced right now, because of a fallacy Bühl, Popp, Schüller, somehow inconsistent... All 3 of these players typically nothing but consistent in their general ability to positively effect matches for this team.

I mean... if Endemann plays, you do also realise it's likely ahead Brand, and not the wnt's most effect attacker aka Bühl, right...? With Anyomi for me the one huge question mark of this squad, as the dummies running the player analysis for the wnt, refuse to acknowledge her superior effectiveness as a CAM/2nd forward.

But the mid-field won't be truly effective until Hrubesch comes to a realisation he either needs to use a dedicated CAM, or try to create a mid-field around the issues that always arise deploying Popp in the 2nd forward role...

Oberdorf - Senß the current best double 6 option if Popp being deployed as a 2nd forward. It leaves Nüsken - Lohmann as his next two CM options, with a choice then arising between selecting a 3rd forward/CAM from one of Freigang, Magull, Anyomi, or a 5th CM in Minge...

-------------------------- Popp ----------------- Schüller/FW? -----------------------------
Bühl ------------------------------------------------------------------ Brand/Endemann
---------- Oberdorf/Nüsken/CM? ---------- Senß/Lohmann --------------
Rauch/Linder ----- Hegering/Solano -------------- Hendrich ------ Gwinn
--------------------------------- Frohms/Johannes ------------------------------------

This isn't how Germany plays, and none of this the fault for Germany conceding goals and chances Vs Austria, or Iceland...

Plus Vs Zambia's little man, EVERY wnt they face will have to adjust their style of defending, as there's literally no female defenders physically quick/strong enough to compete in 1v1 duels.

And now with all the elite level experience gained over the past few years, if Zambia use bunker ball by placing 9 players behind the ball in a low defensive block, and actually defend competently, it's going to produce a lot of frustrating nonsense for everyone they face... it's just that simple.

So outside of this one unique scenario, Germany's defensive issues will typically have very little to do with them using a libero; as Hegering factually the only libero they have right now, for a team clearly struggling more with the ongoing construction of a real 90min CM gameplan.

 

Austria - Iceland 1:1 Viggosdottir(76p)

 

----------------- Schüller -------------------
Bühl ------------ Popp ------------ Brand
---------- Nüsken ---- Oberdorf -------------
Linder --- Hendrich --- Solano --- Gwinn
----------------- Frohms --------------------

Swap Nüsken with Senß, and Hegering with Solano, and I think we're probably looking at Hrubesch's Olympic starting 11...

Hrubesch like MVT is also persisting with ideas of forcing Popp - Schüller into the team as a front two, meaning Popp is going to be playing closer to the mid-field on a regular basis now...

And if this going to work, I'm convinced Nüsken will need to be dropped, just so the team can gain a superior defensive presence with Senß.

----------------- Schüller -------------------
Bühl ------------ Popp ------------ Brand
------------ Senß ------ Oberdorf -------------
Linder --- Hendrich --- Hegering --- Gwinn
------------------- Frohms --------------------

 

Poland are using a 4-3-3, which means Germany will be outnumbered in mid-field again, placing more focus on how Nüsken - Oberdorf work together, and also once again showcase how Popp functions with Schüller too; which up until now, hasn't really seen these two work together effectively at all...

 

Unbelievable 32 seconds and Poland scores!!!

 

Schüller shot over the bar.

 

Again... Germany lose the ball in the own defensive 3rd, and concede a goal because their shape simply isn't balanced with their current focus on a 4-4-2.

They lack the mid-field numbers to get away with basic defensive errors (needlessly losing possession) , and this same pattern of defensive weakness continues with them conceding a ridiculously early goal Vs Poland...

 

This team needs a more stable mid-field ASAP! And it's been obvious for a while now, making it very frustrating seeing EVERYONE exploit the one area Germany meant to contain it's most depth in talent...

I don't see any balance with Oberdorf - Nüsken, and while it's early Popp once again is doing nothing to connect with Schüller.

 

Shots by Nüsken and Bühl saved.