Women’s Olympic soccer tournament, match for 3rd place, Friday, 09.08.2024 at 15:00
The German women’s soccer team’s gold dream has been dashed! Even at the Olympic Games in Paris, Germany will not emerge victorious in the end, now only the consolation prize of bronze is possible.
On Friday, Horst Hrubesch’s team will face the number 1 team in the world and will have to come to terms with the fact that they are the underdogs. In my Spain-Germany betting tip, I’ll tell you why I can’t get around this bet either and why I don’t think the tournament will end very successfully
Final stadium USA – once again! For the second time, Germany couldn’t keep up with the Americans, but this time it wasn’t about points in the preliminary round, but about making it to the big Olympic final.
The most important fact first: Germany is out, but can still play in the bronze medal match on Friday. In the semi-final, the women faced their absolute nemesis, against whom they had already lost 4:1 in the group stage
The second encounter was not as clear-cut. The Germans had to play without Lea Schüller and Alexandra Popp and held on to a 0-0 draw after 90 minutes, just as they had done against Canada.
However, they did not go into another penalty shoot-out, as the USA struck in the 95th minute, shortly after the kick-off for extra time. It was no longer enough to equalize, and after 120 minutes the bitter defeat was confirmed
Admittedly, the DFB team did not play the best tournament. Although they had beaten Australia (3:0) and Zambia (3:1) in the preliminary round, their weaknesses were ruthlessly exposed in the aforementioned 4:1 defeat to the USA.
For the second time in a row, the German girls had to work hard for 120 minutes, which will certainly have an impact on their physical and mental condition.
It is also not yet clear whether Alexandra Popp and Lea Schüller will be fit again on Friday. Perhaps it will help to take a look at the direct comparison against Spain, which is not so bad
Four wins and three draws? In fact, they’ve never lost! Germany won 1-0 at the 2019 World Cup and 2-0 at the European Championship three years later, while the most recent head-to-head tie was 1-1 in 2022.
In recent years, this duel has developed into a rather tactical, low-scoring affair. Incidentally, this is the fourth time in Olympic history that Germany have played in a match for third place, having also done so in 2000, 2004 and 2008.
The parallel: in 2004 in Athens, Germany also lost to the USA, also after extra time. At least they won bronze back then, as always when Germany played in the “small final”.
A small glimmer of hope, then, even if the bookmakers are not in Germany’s favor with average odds of 2.00 to 3.40 for victory after 90 minutes
If Germany were to win bronze in the end, odds of 2.30 would be due at Bet365. Anyone who has just signed up with this betting provider can also secure the Bet365 bonus.
What does the Spanish team, who were actually aiming to win Olympic gold, have to offer? They had traveled to Paris in first place in the world rankings, and their semi-final defeat to Brazil had not been expected.
An own goal put them behind after just five minutes, and after 70 minutes the score was 0:3. The Spaniards were unable to make up the deficit, and the result spoke volumes with a 2:4 defeat
Admittedly: This defeat may not have come as a surprise to everyone. Why? Quite simply because the quarter-final against Colombia was already on a knife-edge. The score was only equalized in the seventh minute of stoppage time, with the favourites ultimately winning on penalties.
2:1 against Japan, 1:0 against Nigeria and 2:0 against Brazil – in the preliminary round, the Spaniards had produced relatively unspectacular results. What is definitely striking, however, is that they never scored more than two goals.
Although Spain is currently the number 1 in women’s soccer, this is actually the first time in history that the team has ever been allowed to take part in the Olympic Games
Will there be a conciliatory Olympic conclusion for the German team? After the bitter loss to the USA and two exhausting overtime matches, the match for third place will be a real test.
Spain are a welcome opponent, but they have only played seven matches so far. The Furia Roja conceded four goals against Brazil, which is unusual. It’s a first for them at the Olympics anyway.
All in all, I don’t think the German women will be able to put their disappointment behind them so quickly, especially as not everyone is fit. As a result, I would put my money on the following tip:
Spain take bronze
