19/12/2021
MATCH REPORT: GERMANY-NETHERLANDS (W)
Germany became the runner up team in Women Friendly Tournament after winning a goal-rich match against Netherlands with 8-5!
Since Sweden won both their games, the game between Germany and Netherlands was all about which team that would be the runner-up in this tournament. Those two games earlier, against Sweden, was compact in which both Netherlands and Germany had problem to force through the defence. But in this game both teams didn’t have the defence as top priority, instead we got an exciting and fun game with several goals and duels. Every neutral supporter probably loved to watch this game!
The German captain and key player, Melissa Gracic, was involved in the three first goals when she first gave Germany the lead through a beautiful long shot only 1 minute in the game. The lead didn’t last long time though, as Netherlands equalized only 30 seconds later when Amy Stoel, who Gracic was marking, tapped in the goal after a kick-in. Additional 30 seconds later she slipped in Germany own half of the pitch when she tried with a long-pass and the Netherlands captain, Henrianne Jansen, snapped the ball and ran towards the goalkeeper alone. The German goalkeeper, Patricia Gloeckner, made a double-save but at the third try Jansen scored. Only 1 minute and 55 seconds were played at that moment.
Unlike the previous women games during this tournament, we could except a game with many goals as both teams let the opponent come through the team several times, this game isn’t going to lack scoring chances. Only 3 minutes later, Germany equalized through Michelé Schirkonyer with a distance shot that was unreachable for the goalkeeper. The Netherlands captain, Amy Stoel, gave her team the lead once again with a great solo-effort. The goal was the beginning of a crazy 4-minute period which involved whole 5 goals, with 3 of them being in 14th match-minute!
After Stoel’s goal Germany took time-out and suddenly Germany went from 2-3 to 5-3 within 32 seconds, this just prove how fast a game can change in futsal. Amanda Wysocka bombed in 3-3 after a sweet chip-pass from Gracic and only 9 seconds later Adelina Worseck gave Germany the lead when Oefele snapped a poor pass from Netherlands and forwarded the ball to Worseck who chanced with a distance-shot. A short while after the goal Germany got a free kick not far away from the net, and Philine Sturm chanced with a hard and low direct shot which worked well here. 5-3!
3 goals conceded within 32 seconds would break down most teams, but Netherlands replied through Henrianne Jansen, however the goal belongs the 14-years old youngster Isabella Tillemans who made a sweet effort before laying up the ball to Jansen who only had an empty net in front of her. These amazing 4 minutes was probably fun for every neutral supporter following the game, but probably not for Germany and Netherlands supporters who probably were sweating!
After a while it finally was half-time break and everyone could breathe out, however Germany probably breathed out way too much as they instant conceded a goal when the second half began. Only 8 seconds were clocked when Amy Stoel scored her hat-trick after a beautiful build-up from Netherlands with a sweet back-heel-pass from Bernice Leming as assist to the goal.
But it was the last goal of the game for Netherlands, Germany started to level up and made three unanswered goals. Claire Alfes was first out, a nice wall-playing cooperation with the captain Gracic where she backheeled the ball back to Alfes who scored post-in. 7-5 was a beautiful kick-in variant from Germany that Anna Wettin scored. Melissa Gracic then completed her great evening with scoring the final result after a long throw from the goalkeeper, Patricia Gloeckner. With her 2 goals and 2 assists and an amazing leadership on the pitch she was probably the best player of the day despite a couple misses in the beginning. We shouldn’t forget that she also is still recovering from a serious knee-injury.
Neither team did an additional goal the final 11 minutes, the energy seemed being exhausted from both teams even if there were a few chances during the ending. Netherlands tried with flying player but didn’t succeed this time and Germany could conquer the runner-up title even if they probably were aiming for winning the tournament.
It was 3 exciting and thrilling games between 3 great teams which let several young players have their minutes on the pitch, the youngest one was Aliza Van Zuilen who are having her 20th birthday by tomorrow! Netherlands has 6 players born 2003 or later, so the future seems to be bright for this young team. Germany also has several exciting young players, for example the 16-years old Melina Rutenberg which took her chance when she was on the pitch.
Netherlands Amy Stoel became the best goalscorer of the tournament with her 3 goals, all of those made against Germany. We as host for this Women Tournament wants to thank all participating countries that decided to come to Gothenburg, without participating countries it wouldn’t be any Women Friendly Tournament! All the best luck to participated countries with preparations to the upcoming European Deaf Futsal Championship in Montesilvanio, Italy between 13-22 October 2022!
KNDSB Zaalvoetbal
DGSV
EDSO
