last shot at redemption

watched the 3rd placing and final of the women u20 world cup last night. something is wrong when you watch 8 games in 6 days.

but anyway, i feel that the third placing game represented a last shot at redemption for the germans, because i felt they played below their potential against usa; it could have been them in the final.

germany fielded what i reckon to be their best, most balanced team:
vetterlein
mirlach schiewe henning baunach
schmidt kulig hegering simic
banecki pollmann

and they promptly raced to a 3-0 lead within 21 minutes or so, courtesy of a marie pollmann hattrick.

while i admire kerchowski's work rate and her overall teamplay, i think at the end of the day, you field a striker to score goals. and that is what pollmann does very well. the second and third goals were pure poaching instincts, that marks her out as an out-and-out striker.

kulig and hegering added steel to the midfield, and simic brought composure and rhythm.

but i also realised why the germans werent in the final. the coach meinert had attributed the two goals conceded against brazil to individual errors, which arent as bad as systemic errors, because they can be corrected on a personal basis. but maybe those are systemic errors.

while i can accept the opponents pulling a goal back when you are 3-0 up, i think the moment you restore that 3goal lead, the game should be over. there should be absolutely no more trace of hope for them. the ball should be stroked around, and you have to give the impression that the next time you go forward, you are going to score. the contest should be over. but instead, the final score was 5-3, and i felt the last 2 France goals could have been better defended.

i think mentally, the germans are not deadly enough.

the final was less of a goal fest. usa won 2-1 and were dominant until they decided to close shop and defend their 2 goal lead, thereby conceding a goal in injury time and ensuring a frantic conclusion to the game.

my team of the tournament would be:
GK: 1.Alyssa Naeher (USA)
safest pair of hands in the tournament. conceded only 1 goal in the tournament.
DL: 4.Josephine Henning (GER)
actually a center-back. i thought she was more steady and better in distribution than the captain carolin schiewe.
DC: 15.Lauren Fowlkes (USA)
rock at the back for the americans
DR: 7.Bianca Schmidt (GER)
started at right mid in the 3rd-placing, switched flanks with julia simic, then got pulled back to right-back. versatile, strong, quick and skilful.
ML: 17.Nora Coton-Pelagie (FRA)
always a potential match-winner. forced the keeper into a superb save with her free-kick in the 3rd-placing. dual-footed with a powerful shot.
MC: 6.Kim Kulig (GER)
striker-turned-all-action-midfielder. tenacious, skilful and an eye for goal.
MC: 14.Keelin Winters (USA)
the captain, has been everywhere for the team.
MR: 10.Eugenie le Sommer (FRA)
france's playmaker. i think she is the most creative player in the tournament. you know what she wants to do, but sometimes her teammates let her down. involved in most of france's goals, and scored 4 herself playing in the hole.
FL: 13.Alex Morgan (USA)
said to be the americans' most talented player. watching her yesterday, i can only agree. a delight to watch on the ball, and doesn't try to do too much.
FC: 19.Sydney Leroux (USA)
tournament top-scorer. plays as a lone striker supported by 2 wingers. usually isolated when usa starts to close shop. but still does well under those circumstances.
FR: 11.Nicole Banecki (GER)
strong, fast and skilful. she isn't a fantastic passer, but her strength and close control usually get her out of trouble.

*julia simic would have been in the team, if she had played more.
*it's nice to see the stars for the german u19 team back in july, pollmann kulig and simic reunite to steer germany to victory.