The ÖFB selection is currently completing the second preparatory course for the European Championship finals in England. The time has already come on July 6th: The European Women’s Championship starts on July 6th with the opening game in Manchester’s Old Trafford Stadium, which was sold out to around 75,000 spectators. It’s against hosts England. After that there will be duels against Northern Ireland and Norway in the group phase. Before that, friendly matches will be played against Montenegro in Maria Enzersdorf on Wednesday and against Belgium on Sunday.
“There are still intensive days of preparation, but we notice from the supporting program that the European Championship is getting closer,” said ÖFB team boss Irene Fuhrmann. She and her team moved from Vienna to the camp in Bad Tatzmannsdorf on Saturday evening. “We have a great dynamic and a good balance between the focus on the pitch, but also the necessary fun that it takes if we want to be successful together,” Fuhrmann gave an insight.
ÖFB President Gerhard Milletich was also present at the farewell ceremony on Saturday. On behalf of the association, he wished the women every success. “It’s going to be a big challenge, but I’m confident and I hope we can’t just see three games from you. That’s my wish,” said Leo Windtner’s successor. Milletich also thanked his predecessor: “You have to thank Leo Windtner for the fact that women’s football is now so important in the ÖFB. He did a lot for women’s football, it wouldn’t have worked the way it did without him.”
Windtner himself was one of those participants who had their say on the podium at various discussion rounds. “The summer fairy tale of 2017 was the key event par excellence for women’s football. After that it was difficult to top it again. But we managed to make a big leap in the technical and tactical area. It will be difficult in England, but with the necessary tools I believe that there is a realistic chance that 2022 will also be a very nice summer, ”said the Upper Austrian.
The Summit was the largest domestic women’s football event ever. The initiator was Jasmin Eder, a current team player who works for the ÖFB. The big topic was a look back at the successful EURO 2017, where the ÖFB team only ended up in the semi-finals at the premiere. A look back was also taken at the beginnings of the national team, which played its first international match on August 25, 1990. A discussion about the status quo in women’s football, insights from partners and sponsors and an outlook for the future could not be missing.
“I am very touched and enthusiastic about what has taken place here,” summed up ÖFB sports director Peter Schöttel. But it wasn’t just him who gave praise. “It’s a really wonderful event, it’s important that something like this happens,” said Nadine Kessler, UEFA’s head of women’s football. The former world footballer sees women’s football absolutely on the rise. “There’s a wave going through Europe at the moment, that’s something special. I feel a great commitment in all national associations, in some especially, so there will be no way past us,” said the German.
