Martina Voss-Tecklenburg had predicted a clash of cultures and it was Germany’s that prevailed. Spain had more of the ball, just as she had said they would, but it was her ruthless, disciplined and resistant side that emerged victorious from a high end battle in Brentford that became such a classic expression of these team’s characters as to almost border on stereotype. It also came as a warning: Germany are competitors that must be taken very seriously.
“It was exactly that spirit that everyone thinks of with the Germany team but it was also tactically a great performance,” the coach said. “Some of the players may have cursed because they didn’t touch the ball much but they were rewarded with two goals.”
