DFB captain Alexandra Popp considers a successful performance by the German soccer team at the European Championships in England to be “extremely important”.

DFB captain Alexandra Popp considers a successful performance by the German soccer team at the European Championships in England to be “extremely important”.

“With our success, we are involved in how women’s football will continue in Germany – you have to say that so harshly,” emphasized the 31-year-old from VfL Wolfsburg in an interview with the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”. “We are aware of that, we know about this certain pressure.”

For Popp, who became Olympic champion in 2016, it is the first European Championship because she missed the last two continental tournaments due to injury. With 114 international matches, the striker is the most experienced in the team of the record European champions. “Each of us doesn’t just play football, we also want to make a difference and develop women’s football,” said Popp.

When asked when this European Championship would be successful, she replied: “We have to talk about the semi-finals.” The DFB women meet Denmark in the first group game on Friday (9:00 p.m. CEST/ZDF) in London-Brentford. “I have full confidence in the team. Nobody is talking about us as the top favorites, but I think we can be expected, »said Popp.