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| Germany take on Sweden in a Round of 16 encounter |
Germany shot to the top of the group on goal difference after their opening game saw them put the Ivory Coast to the sword and only a tight draw with Norway saw them miss out on all nine points with their strong outings.
Ivory Coast’s 10-0 slogging gave way quickly to the talk of the group – Norway and Germany’s battle for the top place – but with one point apiece the group went down to the third game. Germany’s eventual victory over Thailand meant that they booked a place with Sweden in the Round of 16 after the Scandinavians came through tightly in the third place positions.
GERMANY TAKE ON SWEDEN IN THE ROUND OF 16. READ OUR SWEDEN PREVIEW HERE.
They’ll beat Sweden because…
They’re one of the favourites of the tournament, have had three strong games that saw them dominate the midfield and only looked in danger of conceding when they went all out against Norway and got hurt on the counter. Sweden comes through as a minor challenge on Germany’s run and if they do fall to the lower-ranked side then it will be one of the major upsets of the competition – Germany are clear favourites for the match ahead.
They’ll get knocked out by Sweden because…
Germany have been struggling with finishing their chances and now that they are in the elimination stages of the tournament they could be made to pay for those mistakes. A draw against Norway was passable in the group stages but Silvia Neid’s side need to pick up their clinical finishing or risk sending games into extra time and penalty shoot-outs that could prove lethal to their chances. Germany’s strikers have to turn up on the day and put away the mistakes of the past games if they are to continue through the tournament.
Can they win the World Cup?
Yes. Two time winners coming into this tournament with their legendary coach’s swan song means that anything less than taking home her third trophy is not an option. If their game against Sweden can show that their strikers have ironed out the kinks in the system then nothing will stand in Germany’s way on the path to the final match in Canada.
Best moment of the tournament so far?
Opening with a ten goal stunner can be the only answer to Germany’s best moment with hat-tricks all around for players wearing Germany’s white. The side’s confidence bloomed as they continued to break past the Ivory Coast’s defence and leave them stranded, putting to shame the newcomer African side and stating clearly their intent for the tournament – there will be no holding us back.
Key Player
After missing the first game rout due to injury, Dzenifer Marozsan proved in her next two appearances that she is one of the integral components to the German midfield. Going home with Player of the Match against Thailand, Marozsan was influential in creating the build up to the goals that gifted Germany the victory on their third match day and all eyes will once again be on her to prove that she has what it takes to lead the side to World Cup glory.
Injuries/Suspensions
Coming through relatively unscathed, Germany now look to bring their full squad to bear against the Swedish side with their strongest starting eleven coming out to make sure that the Round of 16 doesn’t play host to an early outing for the two-time European champions looking to take their third World Cup star, and be the first country in the world to win the women’s competition three times.