Match of the Day: Curtain rises as hosts face Cameroon

For months, they have been waiting for this day to come – now the German side are eager to start their home World Championship with a successful match: Arena Leipzig will be sold-out with 7,000 fans on Friday for the opening match of the 23rd Women’s World Championship, when the ‘Ladies’ face Cameroon. “We are so happy that it starts. We are enthusiastic and highly motivated”, says team captain Anna Loerper prior to the first ever duel of Germany vs Cameroon. “We want to make history, we want to write our ‘winter fairy tale’,” adds goalkeeper Clara Woltering.

Since 2007, the Germany’s women have been waiting for their next medal at a major event. Ten years ago they snatched bronze by beating Romania after extra-time in a thrilling encounter at the World Championship in Paris. For their Group D opener on Friday (19:00 hrs local time) the hosts are well-prepared: “All players showed a brilliant attitude in preparation,” says coach Michael Biegler, who took over the team in April 2016: “We have a mission. The mission to proceed to the final weekend in Hamburg. And we will do everything to accomplish it,” the coach adds.

Biegler expects some nervousness at the start, but hopes his team manages to stand the heat and will be carried on the wings of the fans: “We are sure to be boosted by the audience.” On the other hand, Cameroon are confident too: “For the first time ever we play an opening match like this,” says coach Jean-Marie Zambo: “But we are not frightened, as we are sure that this special situation will galvanize us for the rest of the tournament. We will for sure keep our morale high.”

In terms of facing African teams, Germany have been warned not to underestimate them as the 2011 World Championship in Brazil saw them losing the final preliminary round match against Angola – with the consequence that the African champions and not Germany made it to the knock-out stage.

Cameroon qualified for the second time after 2005 (final rank of 22nd) for a World Championship and profited from Senegal’s disqualification at the African Championship, as they had nominated a player, who was not eligible to be on court, in the semi-final.

All remaining matches of round 1 will take place on Saturday, 2 December in Leipzig, Oldenburg, Bietigheim-Bissingen and Trier.

Photo: Sascha Klahn/DHB