The Olympic women’s football tournament kicks off with a tantalizing Group B encounter as Germany and Australia lock horns at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille on July 25, 2024. Both nations enter the competition with high hopes and a point to prove after disappointing exits from the 2023 World Cup.
Match Preview
Germany, two-time World Cup champions, are eager to bounce back from their shock group stage elimination last year. Under interim coach Horst Hrubesch, Die Nationalelf have shown promising form, securing Olympic qualification through a third-place finish in the UEFA Nations League. Their recent 4-0 victory over Austria in Euro 2025 qualifying demonstrates their attacking prowess.
Australia, co-hosts of the 2023 World Cup, reached the semi-finals before falling to England. The Matildas will be determined to go one step further in Paris, building on their fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics. Their recent form has been mixed, with a 2-0 win over China followed by a 2-1 loss to Canada in a friendly.
Injury and Team News
Germany suffered a significant blow with the loss of key midfielder Lena Oberdorf to a cruciate and medial collateral ligament injury. Janina Minge has been called up as her replacement.
Australia will be without their talismanic striker Sam Kerr, who continues to recover from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. This absence will test the Matildas’ attacking depth.
Predicted Lineups
Predicted Germany Lineups (4-2-3-1): Senss, Schulze, Nüsken, Freigang, Gwinn, Linder, Schüller, Bühl, Hendrich, Brand, Berger
Predicted Australia Lineups (4-3-3): Vine, Hunt, Gorry, Catley, Kennedy, Cooney-Cross, Arnold, Carpenter, Foord, Raso, Fowler
Where to Watch
Fans around the world can catch this exciting match through various channels. Here’s the live stream and TV schedule for some countries:
- USA: Peacock, UNIVERSO, nbcsports.com
- UK: discovery+, discovery+ App, EuroSport Player UK, EuroSport 1 UK
- Germany: DAZN Germany, ZDF Sport, Eurosport Player Deutschland, ZDF
- Australia: Stan Sport, 9Now
- France: Eurosport Player France, Free, MAX, Eurosport France
- Spain: Eurosport Player Spain, Eurosport Spain
- Italy: Eurosport Player Italy, Eurosport Italy
Who Will Win?
This match promises to be a closely contested affair between two talented sides. Germany’s recent form and Olympic pedigree give them a slight edge, but Australia’s resilience and ability to perform on the big stage cannot be underestimated.
Germany Women vs Australia Women Prediction: Germany 2-1 Australia
Key Stats and Form
Germany have won 10 of their 14 matches since the 2023 World Cup, showcasing their ability to bounce back from disappointment. They’ve also scored an impressive 17 goals in their last 5 competitive matches.
Australia’s form has been less consistent, with 3 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses in their last 6 matches. However, they’ve proven their ability to compete with top teams, as evidenced by their World Cup run.
Head-to-Head
These teams have met three times previously, with Germany holding the advantage. Their last encounter in 2021 ended in a 5-2 victory for Germany, but Olympic matches often defy historical trends.
Group B Standings
As this is the opening match of the group stage, all teams currently sit level on 0 points. The group also includes the USA and Zambia, making it one of the most competitive in the tournament.
Latest News
Germany’s Lea Schüller enters the tournament in red-hot form, having netted 6 goals in Euro 2025 qualifying. Her ability to lead the line will be crucial in Oberdorf’s absence.
For Australia, Arsenal forward Caitlin Foord has been declared fit to play despite missing a recent warm-up game. Her creativity and link-up play could be key to unlocking the German defense.
As the Olympic flame ignites in Paris, this match between Germany and Australia promises to set the tournament ablaze with skill, passion, and the pursuit of gold medal glory.
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