Five years ago, Nils Petersen became a tragic hero. Both Olympic Games From Rio, the SC Freiburg striker made it to the finals with the DFB team. Against Brazil, Petersen then missed the decisive penalty on penalties, the dream of gold burst. Now the 32-year-old is looking at the soccer tournament in Tokyo before the Germans’s last group game against Ivory Coast.
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SPORTBUZZER: Mr Petersen, you followed the performances of the German Olympic team on television. What impression does the team of coach Stefan Kuntz make on you?
Nils Petersen (32): After the opening defeat against Brazil, she fought her way into the tournament against Saudi Arabia. This reminds me of 2016, when we also found it difficult to get into the tournament (2-2 against Mexico, 3-3 against South Korea) and then improved. I am confident and have a lot more confidence in Stefan Kuntz’s team. So far, none of the favorite teams – whether Spain, France or Argentina – have been able to convince.
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So you are confident ahead of the so-called final against Ivory Coast?
It will certainly be difficult against the Africans, who have a lot of physicality and showed in the draw against Brazil that they can play football. But we have a good chance. I think the team has now arrived.
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There was a lot of discussion about the in advance Problems with recruiting the cadre. Isn’t it an indictment of German football that only 18 instead of the permitted 22 players could be nominated?
It’s a shame and it’s sad how it went. On the part of the clubs, the World and European Championships are rated higher than the Olympic Games. I cannot understand this low esteem. I am thinking of the example of Serge Gnabry, who played himself in the foreground five years ago in Brazil and thereby acquired an international reputation. This proves that there can also be positive effects for the club making the decision. In addition, I cannot understand the players who canceled on their own initiative because preparation in their clubs seemed more important to them. Olympia is a unique experience that is paramount.
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What memories do you have these days of winning the silver medal in 2016?
I think of many moments. My missed shot will of course always stay in my head. But the positive memories predominate. These four weeks at the Olympics were the best of my career.
Back to the present: who will win the gold medal?
Brazil is the top favorite. But I haven’t written off the German team either. If she progresses on Wednesday, anything is possible despite the adverse circumstances.
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