DFB women start tournament against Poland - Coach Wück has "very, very good feeling"

Germany: Berger - Linder, Knaak, Minge, Gwinn - Senß, Nüsken - Bühl, Dallmann, Brand - Schüller

Poland: Szemik - Wiankoswka, Dudek, Szymczak, Matysik - Pawollek, Kamczyk, Achcinska - Tomasiak, Padilla-Bidas - Pajor

National coach Christian Wück can field a full squad of German women's soccer players for the opening match against Poland at the European Championships . "We have a full squad," said the 52-year-old ahead of the match against the European Championship newcomers on Friday (9:00 p.m./ARD and DAZN) in St. Gallen.

There have been minor muscular problems among the players over the past two or three days, "but they weren't serious. As of now, everyone is ready."

At the final press conference, Wück emphasized that not only was the atmosphere excellent - as his team repeatedly reported - but "we also had very good training performances and a high level of intensity in this weather."

The former professional will be making his women's tournament debut in Switzerland, having won the European and World Championships with the men's U17 team in 2023. "I'm the same as always," Wück said when asked about the tension. And: "I have a very, very good feeling. What we can't influence is the players' nervous tension."

The DFB expects 4,000 German fans in the 16,100-seat arena in St. Gallen. Other group opponents are Denmark on July 8 in Basel and Sweden on July 12 in Zurich. In the quarterfinals, the eight-time European champions and co-favorites already face defending champions England or co-favorites France.

"We know we have to be extremely careful of the quick counterattacks from Poland. We have to get Ewa Pajor under control," said Wück, referring to Poland's top scorer and captain. The longtime Wolfsburg player from FC Barcelona is well known to many German players, having twice been the Bundesliga top scorer.

"I've played against her incredibly often and I know she's an extremely nasty player," said defensive leader Janina Minge. The new co-captain of the German women's team moved from SC Freiburg to Wolfsburg in 2024 when Pajor left for Spain. Minge, however, is "confident that we can get her under control."

Wück's optimism is also based on the 4-0 win against the Netherlands and the 6-0 victory against Austria in the recent Nations League. "I think you could tell that something happened in that game against the Netherlands," he said. "You can't really put your finger on it, but something happened – in the team structure and in the team's conviction."