Across Germany, the first weekend of December brought a winter wonderland which disrupted all but two Frauen Bundesliga matches. Only the matches between Hamburger SV and FC Saarbrucken as well as the Turbine Potsdam versus Wolfsburg were completed. The rest of the scheduled matches were canceled due to unplayable field conditions.
Despite pre-match efforts to switch venues from Hamburger’s usual match ground to a training ground north of the city, additional snow caused a 45 minute delay as workers hurried to clear off the artificial pitch located in Norderstedt. Visiting squad Saarbrucken seemed to have effectively stayed loose despite the delay. Within the opening minutes of the match, Saarbrucken’s Cynthia Uwak was taken down inside of the penalty box. Sif Atladottir buried the penalty to give the away side an early lead.
Hamburger brushed off the opening goal much like all 78 fans in attendance brushed off the snow from earlier that day. After the initial Saarbrucken attack, Hamburger was able to gain confidence as well as control in possession. Antonia Göransson equalized the match in the 8th minute which in turn ignited Hamburger’s attack. Saarbrucken’s goalie, Romina Wood, was feeling intense pressure as Hamburger quickly pressed on for an additional goal. Hamburger needed only nine minutes after it’s initial goal to take the lead after Saarbrucken was whistled for a penalty in the box. German National team member, Kim Kulig successfully placed the penalty and Saarbrucken would never recover. Adding to Saarbrucken’s woes, Uwak had to leave in the 32nd minute followed by Noemie Beney in the early minutes of the second half due to a knee injury.
Hamburger added another goal in the 61st minute, as u-19 German National team player, Caroline Simon scored by delivering a line drive free kick. Saarbrucken’s coach admitted that HSV played “smarter and more effective” but that he was proud of his back four. HSV are currently 5th in the Bundesliga and FCS remain towards the bottom of the table in 10th place.
Goals: FCS: Atladottir (2nd PK )
HSV:Göransson (8th), Kulig (15 PK) Simon (62)
Wolfsburg entered the Bundesliga’s only other match this weekend with a strong will and determination to defeat UEFA Champions Turbine Potsdam. For 57 minutes, Wolfsburg was holding their own in a scoreless draw. Playing in miserable conditions, the match took on an unattractive tactical approach of long ball after long ball.
The deadlock appeared to broken in the 54th minute as Wolfsburg’s Verena Faisst brought down FIFA’s World Player of the year finalist, Fatmire Bajramaj in the penalty area. Faulty positioning on a snow covered pitch caused Jennifer Zeitz to miss the penalty shot. Potsdam needed only four minutes for redemption. German superstar, Anja Mittag found the back of the net for her 11th goal of the season.
Forced to push forward, Wolfsburg created more open space for the Potsdam counter attack. Yuki Nagasato’s 76th minute goal paved or rather “snow plowed” the way for Bajramaj and Bianca Schmidt as they added two more goals to Potsdam’s 4-0 victory.
Wolfsburg’s coach, Frank Pichatzek, (who was filling in for the injured head coach, Kellermann) was livid about playing in such poor conditions. He stated that long balls have nothing to do with soccer. He also added that many of his players were complaining of injuries as a result of the game. Players agreed with Pichatzek, stating that playing in these conditions were “insulting.”
Potsdam’s tactical approach and attitude were in direct contrast to Wolfsburg’s. Adjusting to the winter elements, Potsdam’s coach, Bernd Schröder, instructed his team to “play long balls followed by quick diagonal passes.” It may have not been fancy or pretty football, but in such conditions, Schröder was correct in his tactical attack. With players such as Nadine Kessler, Anja Mittag, and Fatmire Bajramaj, Potsdam can over power many opponents. Potsdam’s intimidating 4-3-3 formation has enabled four of their players to be in the top half of the leader board in goals scored.
Potsdam is currently in first place in the Bundesliga (although that will change once games are rescheduled) and Wolfsburg will remain in fourth place.
Mary Burns
SOURCES
http://www.turbine-potsdam.de/newsmeldung.php?id=17243&s=1011http://www.microsofttranslator.com/BV.aspx?ref=IE8Activity&a=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vfl-wolfsburg.de%2F50496%2BM5cdc24c2e2c.htmlhttp://www.dfb.de/index.php?id=500014&tx_dfbnews_pi1[showUid]=25750&tx_dfbnews_pi4[cat]=84http://www.hsv.de/teams/meldungen/hsv-frauen/dezember-2010/31-heimerfolg-gegen-den-fc-saarbruecken/http://www.fc-saarbruecken.de/index.php/frauen.141.html
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