FRAUEN BUNDESLIGA WEEK 1 PREVIEW

FRAUEN BUNDESLIGA WEEK 1 PREVIEW:

Willkommen. Time once again to apply my basic German language skills and snicker at the misleading translations of Google translate.  The Frauen Bundesliga season is now upon us. Throughout the season, this blog will provide highlights, links, tactical breakdowns, insights, as well as humorous German to English translation woes. 

German to English translation woes? Yes, there are many. Just reference Google translates. Below is a list

Anja Mittag= Anja Lunch

Ali Krieger = Ali Warrior

Sonja Fuss = Sonja Foot 

My favorite match? Any time Wolfsburg plays Essen Shonebeck—the Duran Duran Tribute game (Hungry Like the Wolf).

On a serious note, below is a quick look at the Frauen Bundesliga’s opening week (August 21, 2011).

Wolfsburg v FF USV Jena---I am most intrigued by this match for many reasons.  Wolfsburg is craving to break into the Bundesliga’s top three. Constantly overshadowed by FFC Frankfurt, Turbine Potsdam, and even FC 2001 Duisburg, Wolfsburg needs to have a stellar year to finally be considered to be on par with the teams just mentioned.  Conny Pohlers (formerly of FFC Frankfurt) will aid in Wolfsburg’s climb. She was the leading scorer in the Bundesliga last year. Along with Pohlers, expect Nadine Kessler, Selina Wagner, Leni Larsen Kaurin, and Marina Mueller to be notable stand outs. My main concern with Wolfsburg is their lack of strong defense.  Their lack of defensive strength as well as failure to adjust tactically during games cost them many key points last season.

Watch a DFB TV clip on Wolfsburg. It’s in German, but very well done: http://tv.dfb.de/index.php?view=3633

FF USV Jena barely escaped relegation last season. A strong final push helped them remain, but with star player Anonma (Equatorial Guinea) now with Turbine Potsdam, Jena could find themselves in the lower half of the table once again.  Look for Carolin Schiewe to be their main scoring threat.

Interesting note: These two teams faced off against each other in the final week of the 2010-2011 Season—the result, Wolfsburg barely escaped with a 2-1 victory.

 DFB TV clip on Jena: http://tv.dfb.de/index.php?view=3635

Score prediction: Wolfsburg 3 USV Jena 1

FCR 2001 Duisburg v FC Lok Leipzig 

FCR 2002 Duisburg: Alexandra Popp, Ando, and Inka Grings lead this team creating a dynamic offensive team to watch. Duisburg blends veterans with very young players. Keep an eye out for the development of the Netherland’s Jackie Noelle Groenen (born December 17, 1994)

FC Lok Leipzig was promoted to the Bundesliga this year. Looking forward to learning more about this blue and yellow team this year. Ebermann scored 10 goals for Leipzig last season.

Score prediction: Duisburg 3 FC Lok Leipzig 0

FFC Frankfurt v Essen Shonebeck

FFC Frankfurt ended the regular Bundesliga season by trailing Turbine Potsdam by only one point. Despite the retirement of Birgit Prinz, Frankfurt reloads with superstars Kim Kulig (formerly with Hamburg) and Barajmaj (formerly with Potsdam). Add to that list returning notables such as Angerer, Garefrekes, and Krieger. Frankfurt will be very difficult to beat this year.

Essen Schonebeck: The 2011-2012 season does not look promising for this team to escape the bottom half of the table…but you can like them on facebook http://www.facebook.com/SGS.Frauenfussball

Predicted score: Frankfurt 4-Essen Schonebeck 0

Turbine Potsdam v Hamburger SV

Potsdam may have lost young star Bajramaj, but they retain Nagasato, Anja Mittag, and Babett Peter. New acquisition, Equatorial Guinea star, Anonma should continue to wow global women’s soccer fans. With a brilliant coach, Bernd Schroder, Turbine Potsdam will once again be battling Frankfurt for Bundesliga supremacy.

Hamburger SV will truly miss Kim Kulig (now with Frankfurt). Hamburger will certainly be a different team from last season and may struggle to find their identity before winter break.

Predicted score: Turbine Potsdam 3 Hamburger SV 0

Bayern Munchen v Bayer 04  Leverkusen

The Bayern Munchen and Bayer Leverkusen match seems to be the most evenly matched game for week one. Keep an eye out for Bayern’s Petra Wimbersky and Vanesa Burki. For Leverkusen, expect Shelley Thompson and Lisa Schwab to lead the way.

Predicted score: Bayern Munchen 1 Bayer Leverkusen 2

Bad Neuenahr v SC Freiburg

Offensively for Bad Neuenahr, Celia Okoyino da Mbabi and Nicole Rosler should lead the way once again. Defender, Peggy Kunzik, also provides an offensive spark.

Freiburg dominated in 2010-2011 and they were rewarded with promotion. Do not expect Freiburg to be a pushover this season. They are very dangerous offensively. USA ALERT! USA ALERT! American Chiome Igwe (formerly Bay Area Breeze) plays for Freiburg!

Predicted score: Bad Neuenahr 2 SC Freiburg 2

Check back on Monday for match results and reports! And…we will see just how messed up my predictions are!

A final note—this blog entry was not meant to be an in depth look at each team. I may or may not have missed key players and notables. Stay tuned throughout the season to see if I make up for anything that I may have missed!