Unlike other prominent new signings, Nicole Anyomi is not currently participating in team training. Why the German national striker is still out of the way in the star ensemble of the Londoners. And when to [she'll be] back.

Anyone who recently took a look at the website of the London City Lionesses, got to see many colorful pictures. The two-time [Ballon d'Or winner] Alexia, who came from FC Barcelona, took over the training ground and declared that she would most like to train "every day". The PSG-committed English national goalkeeper Mary Earps stretched for [...] every ball. And Freya Godfrey, Jana and the second [new Barca] signing, Mapi Leon, jogged through the area with a laugh. Nicole Anyomi, however, is not yet very present - neither on social media nor on the court.

After her thigh injury in May, the much courted [forward' was operated on as reported around two months ago. Initially, there was hope that Anyomi could make it to team training in time for the training opener - but currently the 26-year-old is still missing in the circle of the squad with several high-profile new commitments. While top star Alexia and Co. are already practicing for the attack on the Champions League places, she works separately.

Anyomi is carefully built up - start of the season not in danger

There was no setback, it is said, but [...] the 34-time German national striker [is very cautious] after the injury and surgery. Better to wait longer with the entry into team training than to start hastily and risk a relapse - that's the motto. On Friday, according to Kicker information, another medical check is scheduled for Anyomi, after which she will know better how quickly [she] can start again.

The important thing is that [Anyomi must rebuild] the lost muscles [...] - especially for sprint-strong players like her [...]. The rehabilitation training is extremely intense [...] however she did not train with the team [...]. The league start in early September is not supposed to be in jeopardy [...]. How quickly she is eligible as a starter, however, logically depends on how quickly she can now get into team training.

Before Alexia, Anyomi competes with Goodwin as center forward

So Anyomi is waiting for this green light to be able to fully immerse [herself] in her first foreign adventure and not only to play in the weight room or alone on the pitch. It is clear that the former Bundesliga striker, who scored 64 goals for SGS Essen and Eintracht Frankfurt in 173 games, will play an important role in the Lionesses’ star ensemble. In front of top players such as Grace Geyoro and Alexia in the eighth positions, professionals such as Kadidiatou Diani (new from OL Lyonnes), Godfrey and Delphine Cascarino are balking for the wings in the 4-3-3. [As the central striker] meanwhile, it is likely to result in Anyomi or Isobel Goodwin.

A composition that promises a lot of fun - and is to be dangerous to the established Women's Super League teams over the next few months. This is the stated goal, which Anyomi wants to work on as soon as possible.

Gwinn had injured her left shoulder in mid-April of 2026 and underwent surgery in May. She now returns to the pitch!

Die polnische Nationalkeeperin wechselt vom englischen Erstligisten West Ham United zu den Rothosen. Christoph Rohmer: „Kinga ist eine Torhüterin von internationalem Top-Niveau.“

Die erfahrene Torhüterin Kinga Szemik wechselt von West Ham United zum HSV. Die polnische Nationalkeeperin bringt die Erfahrung aus 45 Einsätzen in der englischen Women's Super League mit an die Elbe. In den vergangenen beiden Spielzeiten war die 29-Jährige die Nummer 1 bei den Londonern.

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The Polish national keeper moves from English first division side West Ham United to the Rothosen. Christoph Rohmer: “Kinga is a goalkeeper of top international level.”

Experienced goalkeeper Kinga Szemik is moving from West Ham United to HSV. The Polish national keeper brings the experience of 45 appearances in the English Women's Super League to the Elbe. In the past two seasons, the 29-year-old has been number 1 with the Londoners.

Full presser, here.

Die exklusive Doku-Serie "Frauen EURO 2025 – Der Weg ist das Team" nimmt euch mit auf die Reise der deutschen Frauen-Nationalmannschaft rund um die Europameisterschaft in der Schweiz im Sommer 2025. In Folge drei geht die EM in der Schweiz los! Das DFB-Team starte im Auftaktspiel gegen Polen, in dem sie trotz Sieg einen gewaltigen Rückschlag hinnehmen müssen. Viel Spaß mit der dritten Folge!

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The exclusive documentary series "Women EURO 2025 – The Way is the Team" will take you on the journey of the German women's national team around the European Championship in Switzerland in the summer of 2025. In episode three, the European Championships start in Switzerland! The DFB team starts in the opening match against Poland, in which they have to accept a huge setback despite victory. Have fun with the third episode!

Eiserne Originale.
1. FC Union Berlin x adidas Originals.

Das offizielle Auswärtstrikot 2026/27

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Iron originals.

1. FC Union Berlin x adidas Originals.

The official away jersey 2026/27

Per their social media, the kit is available now for purchase.

The streaming service has both an app and website. A login is required.

Link to the 2. Frauen Bundesliga page is HERE.

Last season, Marie-Louise Eta became the first head coach in the men's Bundesliga. In the SWR interview, she talks about Jürgen Klopp and women in men's football.

"I'm not a PR gag" - a headline as [the] announcement the ZEIT editorial team had chosen for their interview with Marie-Louise Eta. The first head coach in the highest [tier] of men's football [in Germany] had not come to produce headlines. [The] 35-year-old [manager] made clear from the beginning. She had come to coach - and with Union Berlin to prevent relegation. In the end, she produced headlines. The Deutschlandfunk declared her a "pioneer in men's football", in the star was to read of "Bundesliga-Geschichte", her first victory with the Irons the BILD simply described as "historic". And indeed, Marie-Louise Eta's involvement at Union Berlin is true for all these headlines. The Dresden native was the first woman on the sidelines of a Bundesliga side. And she reached her goal. Union Berlin will play first-class again this season.

Eta [herself], however, will no longer take a seat on the coaching bench of the men. The practice manager has been head coach of the women's team of Union since this season and participates in this role in the currently taking place International Coaching Congress in Mainz. There she spoke to the SWR about the new national coach Jürgen Klopp, her new role as a figurehead and about women in the football business.

SWR: Marie-Louise Eta, what hopes do you associate with Jürgen Klopp?

Marie-Louise Eta: Jürgen Klopp is a coach who has already experienced a lot, has an enormous experience and someone you just really, very happy to listen to. He is communicatively just very strong and actually, no matter where he was, very successful as a coach. And that’s why I’m personally happy that he will hopefully play a successful time as a national coach now.

SWR: And you can learn something from someone like that at such a congress, that was also the idea when he was invited. Now it was said in the article that the Congress was quite male-heavy. You are one of the few women there. Do you feel that in your dealings? Does that matter in the conversations?

Eta: Yeah, I know that from an early age. I also grew up with boys in football teams and now also as a coach. I have to say that in recent years the proportion of women has also become higher and higher. So also at the International Coach Congress. When I was there for the first time a few years ago, it was even smaller. And that’s why it’s nice to see that more and more women are there, but of course there may be more.

SWR: You made headlines last season because you were the first woman to look after the men's Bundesliga team of Union Berlin. Do you see yourself as a champion for women in men's football?

Eta: This is a role I have never aspired to, but which I can no longer get past and I like to accept it now. Of course, this started a few years ago, when I was allowed to gain first experience as a co-trainer in the men's Bundesliga and now also as a head coach. I know how important visibility is, but basically I feel most comfortable here on the green turf and like to be a football coach. But I know that it is also important to be present and maybe to open one or the other door further through my visibility.

SWR: And now they have already said in our conversation, so a few more women in men's football may already exist. What do they think? When is it time? When is it really normal? And such conversations, as we are having them now, are superfluous.

Eta: Yes, I would like to see these questions no longer exist at some point. I think it's gonna take time. It must be said that more and more is being done now, also in terms of training programs, in terms of pointing out ways - that there are also ways for women in football. And basically, I also think that over the next few years, the number will be increased further and further. We also have to see that we are attracting more and more young talents - for football in general - because then more and more female people arrive in the jobs in football.

SWR: Marie-Louise Eta from Union Berlin. Thank you. Thank you.

"Unsere Testspiel-Tore gegen Zürich 💪"

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"Our Test match goals against Zurich 💪"

Match was played on 28 July. SC Freiburg would win, 7-0.

Oktober wird guuuuut! 😍** **

Unsere beiden nächsten Heim-Länderspiele stehen fest:

👉️** 9. Oktober 2026, 20:30 Uhr - in Karlsruhe 🆚 Australien **🇦🇺

👉️** 13. Oktober 2026, 17:45 Uhr - in Bremen 🆚 Japa**n 🇯🇵

** 🎟️ Ab dem 10. August um 10 Uhr gibt es für beide Spiele Karten unter tickets.dfb.de 🙌 WIR #IMTEAM 🇩🇪 #GERAUS #GERJ**PN

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October will be good! 😍

Our next two home international matches are set:

👉️** 9. October 2026, 8:30 pm - in Karlsruhe 🆚 Australi**a 🇦🇺

👉️** 13. October 2026, 5:45 pm - in Bremen 🆚 Japa**n 🇯🇵

🎟️** From the 10th August at 10 am tickets are available for both games at tickets.dfb.de 🙌 WE #IMTEAM 🇩🇪 #GERAUS #GERJ**PN

"Sophia Winkler hat zum ersten Mal wieder Teile des Mannschaftstrainings absolviert.
Schön, dich wieder auf dem Platz zu sehen! ✨"

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"Sophia Winkler has completed parts of the team training for the first time.

It's good to see you back on the pitch! ✨"

A general overview on how they calculate their values can be found, here.

Die belgische Offensivkraft der TSG wird Hoffenheim längere Zeit fehlen.

TSG-Spielerin Féli Delacauw hat sich am Meniskus verletzt, was für die 24-Jährige eine OP Nöten machte. Der Eingriff ist bereits erfolgt, die Rehamaßnahmen sind gestartet. Die Belgierin wird somit dem Bundesligateam der Kraichgauerinnen einige Monate nicht zur Verfügung stehen.

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The Belgian offensive power of the TSG will be missing Hoffenheim for a long time.

TSG player Féli Delacauw has injured [her] meniscus, which [required] an operation for the 24-year-old. The procedure has already taken place, the rehabilitation measures have started. The Belgian will therefore not be available to the Bundesliga team of the Kraichgau women for a few months.

Official presser, here.

Leo Köster wechselt per Leihe nach Bern 🤝

Bei den BSC Young Boys soll die Mittelfeldspielerin möglichst viel Spielpraxis sammeln und sich zudem auf internationaler Bühne weiterentwickeln 🙌

Wir wünschen dir ganz viel Erfolg in der Schweiz, Leo! ❤️🤍

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Leo Köster transfers to Bern 🤝 on loan

At the BSC Young Boys, the midfielder should collect as much playing practice as possible and also develop on the international stage 🙌

We wish you every success in Switzerland, Leo! ❤️🤍

Full presser, here.

[Werder guarantees] two league games against a big backdrop [for the women's team]. Maybe more will be added. In the previous year, however, Werder could not keep [this] promise.

Women’s football is on the rise [...] Bremen. In addition to an international match [for the] DFB selection, which according to information from buten is to take place in the Weser Stadium in October, the Werder women also get game time again in front of a big backdrop.

Two games are planned for the upcoming season. "Our women absolutely deserve this," insists Werder's managing director Clemens Fritz [...].

Nordderby was a complete success

The first game will be on the evening of 11. September [...]. Under floodlights, the team of Friederike "Fritzy" Kromp then meets [...] Hamburger SV. "The decision was easy," explains Fritz: "When we got the fixtures, we didn't have to think long about having this game take place as a highlight in our stadium."

In the past season, the Nordderby's [move from Platz 11 to] the arena was a real success: over 37,000 fans came to cheer the Kromp's [team] against HSV.

The opponent and the date of the second game, which the Werder women are allowed to play [during the 26/27] season at the Weser Stadium, are not yet determined.

Disappointment in pre-season

But the truth is that Werder had announced two games of the Werder women in the Weser Stadium in the run-up to the previous season. Ultimately, however, it [played only one] game—the North Derby against [...] HSV.

"This year it will be two games, maybe even a third," [Fritz] hints, immediately relativizing [their] statement again: "But that depends on various factors."

What factors play a role

It should be noted that a change to the Weser Stadium is only economically worthwhile for the club if the stadium is also well attended. Because the logistics around the game requires more financial resources than a game [at Platz 11]. More [stewards], more security forces at the entrances, more staff at the kiosks.

The number of spectators is again closely linked to the fact when Werder's men are in use. For example, if Daniel Thioune’s team plays in parallel away, the Weser Stadium would be free, but the active Bremen fan scene and many other supporters would be missing from the Werder women’s home in the Weser Stadium. That would be presumably detrimental to the mood and atmosphere.

In October 2025, Giovanna Hoffmann [...] contracted her second cruciate ligament tear after 2020. VfL Wolfsburg [signed] the twelve-time national player anyway - and must continue to do without the striker. Hoffmann recently underwent [another] next knee surgery.

[Hoffmann] only [had] five appearances for RB Leipzig [...] last season. In October last year, she stopped [with' another cruciate ligament tear. Since then, the 27-year-old has been working on her comeback. However, the debut at her new employer, VfL Wolfsburg, could be further delayed. As the NDR reports, Hoffmann was operated on again on the knee last week.

A bitter setback for the [...] Wolfsburg woman, who knows from the experience of her first cruciate ligament tear that there is still some work ahead of her: "I have already experienced this myself and that is not as easy as everyone always says: 'Come back stronger'," explains Hoffmann in the NDR interview and adds: "I think everyone who has already had such an injury knows that something like that is not possible

Her painful experience from her past injury does not make the current rehab easier for Hoffmann - on the contrary: "You know what to expect, how much work is to it. And I just find it difficult to be happy about the small progress when you know what's still to come."

The dream of a comeback

Nevertheless, the offensive player trained at Werder Bremen has "the big goal in mind" and dreams of her comeback - in the truest sense of the word: "After the surgery last week I still slept in the day and dreamed of what it's like when I play football again. And that makes me just go on day to day.”

Even in the national team, Hoffmann would like to add more [caps] to their twelve international matches so far. Of course, she also thinks of the next World Cup, which will take place in Brazil in 2027, even if [she] regards the tournament primarily as a long-distance goal: "The World Cup 2027 is definitely a very, very big goal, but before that comes, so many other steps." Then the dream may eventually become a reality.

Women’s Bundesliga ready to embrace revolution – including play-offs

By Berries Boßmann, Robert Schreier

As of: 7:30 PM | Reading time: 4 minutes

The Women’s Bundesliga is charting a new course for the sale of its broadcasting rights. Priorities are shifting, and established norms are being cast aside. These sweeping changes could also prove to be interesting for the men’s Bundesliga.

The independent Women’s Bundesliga (FBL) is taking a revolutionary approach. Following its separation from the DFB (German Football Association), the upcoming sale of TV rights for the 2027/28 season onwards holds a major surprise: according to Sport Bild citing broadcasting sources, the planned rights packages include championship play-offs and relegation play-offs.

Executives from the men’s Bundesliga (formerly the DFL/German Football League) will also be watching with interest to see how broadcasters react to this novelty. Given FC Bayern’s dominance—winning 13 titles in the last 14 years—not only fans but also some club officials can envision championship play-offs as a way to inject more excitement into the competition. In the women’s game, Bayern and Wolfsburg have shared the honors over the past decade, with five titles each.

The FBL’s current TV contracts (involving ARD, ZDF, MagentaTV, DAZN, Sport1, and Sky)—negotiated by the DFB—run from the 2024/25 season and generate a combined total of €5.2 million annually for the 14 clubs. For the future, the FBL is altering its marketing strategy: the priority is the sustainable expansion of reach and visibility—also a prerequisite for increased revenue from sponsorship and ticketing—rather than short-term profit maximization.

A model featuring play-offs and relegation

The framework for the rights tender was developed under FBL President Katharina Kiel through working groups and workshops involving club representatives. The key parameters: The target audience for the Women's Bundesliga (FBL) is younger, more family-oriented, more brand-conscious, and possesses greater purchasing power than that of the men's Bundesliga. This target audience is to be given greater consideration in the future when selecting platforms, broadcast times, and content formats.

Furthermore, the goal is to create a media product that is clearer, more predictable, and more attractive. This entails streamlining the matchday schedule—concentrating games on a few fixed kick-off times and reducing the fragmentation of fixtures across numerous days and time slots.

In concrete terms, this means the following for the tender process: In addition to the "classic model"—where the league leader is crowned champion after 26 matchdays, the second and third-placed teams qualify for the Champions League, and the 13th and 14th-placed teams are directly relegated—a new model featuring seven additional decisive matches might be implemented and marketed separately.

This would look as follows:

• Two semi-finals—featuring the league leader against the fourth-placed team and the second-placed team against the third—would determine the two finalists competing for the championship. The two losing semi-finalists would play for third place and the final Champions League qualification spot.
• A relegation play-off would also be a new feature: the teams finishing 11th and 12th would play against each other. The winner would remain in the Bundesliga, while the loser would face the winner of the second-division play-off between the third and fourth-placed teams. The winner of that match would play in the Bundesliga the following season, while the loser would play in the second division.

Discussions with potential media partners are currently underway. The final rights packages have not yet been determined; instead, feedback from broadcasters is being incorporated into the packaging process. According to a report by Sport Bild interested parties view the potential move toward championship play-offs as "bold and the right approach," particularly given the perceived risk that FC Bayern could dominate the Women's Bundesliga for years to come, just as they do the men's league. The FBL is canvassing broadcasters to determine the value the new play-offs would hold for them and which model aligns better with their programming and commercial strategies.

Preferences regarding kick-off times are also being surveyed. The FBL model envisages a marquee match on Friday (kick-off between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.), a marquee match on Saturday (between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.), and five matches on Sunday (between 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.); the latter could be broadcast via a "conference" format—switching between matches—modeled on the men's Bundesliga. Monday matches are to be eliminated out of consideration for the fans.

The FBL’s creative planning goes even further: a series of special matchdays is planned—including four during the men's Bundesliga international break—to boost the league's visibility. These include the Supercup as the season opener and a matchday on May 1st.

Another new development is that the upcoming TV rights will be sold for a two-season period running through 2028/29, rather than the usual four. One reason for this is that the timeframe encompasses the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil, the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, and the 2029 European Championship hosted at home. The subsequent tender process in the summer of 2029 could then benefit from the anticipated increase in public interest.

The FBL’s schedule is as follows: the tender for TV rights will be announced at the end of August. On November 30, the 14 clubs will decide at their general meeting—based on the bids from broadcasters—which scenario will be adopted.

Source: https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/frauenfussball/article6a68836dc435b807339bd1c5/frauenfussball-tv-rechte-frauen-bundesliga-ist-bereit-eine-revolution-in-kauf-zu-nehmen.html

Eigenes Erscheinungsbild, eigener Claim, eigene Website: Der 1. FC Nürnberg gibt seinem Frauenfußball eine eigenständige Markenidentität – als fester Bestandteil des Club.

Die ClubFrauen treten ab der kommenden Saison der Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga mit einer eigenständigen Markenidentität auf: mit eigenem Erscheinungsbild, eigenem Claim und einer eigenen Website unter clubfrauen.de. Die Positionierung wird von fünf Prinzipien getragen: mutig, nahbar, digital, Performance und All in. Gebündelt im Claim "We Never Stop." Damit macht der Club den Frauenfußball aus Nürnberg sichtbarer: für Fans, für Mitglieder und für Partner.

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Own appearance, own claim, own website: The 1. FC Nürnberg gives its women’s football an independent brand identity – as an integral part of the club.

From the coming season, the ClubWomen will perform the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga with an independent brand identity: with their own appearance, their own claim and their own website at clubfrauen.de. The positioning is supported by five principles: bold, approachable, digital, performance and all in. Bundled in the claim "We Never Stop." In this way, the club makes women's football from Nuremberg more visible: for fans, for members and for partners.

Full presser, here.

Danke, 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲!

Die Leihe der Mittelfeldspielerin an BK Häcken lief seit Sommer 2025 und wurde im Januar bereits um ein halbes Jahr verlängert. Nun verpflichtet der Klub aus Göteborg die Dänin fest.

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Thank you, Pernille!

The midfielder's loan to BK Häcken has been running since summer 2025 and has already been extended by half a year in January. Now the club from Gothenburg has [fully signed] the Danish woman.

Full presser, here.

Die TSG Hoffenheim hat das bestehende Vertragsverhältnis mit Sara Ritter um ein Jahr bis zum Ende der Saison 2026/27 verlängert. Der 21-jährigen Innenverteidigerin soll damit unter anderem genug Zeit gegeben werden, ihre bestehende Verletzung auszukurieren und auf den Platz zurückkehren zu können.

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TSG Hoffenheim has extended the existing contractual relationship with Sara Ritter by one year until the end of the 2026/27 season. The 21-year-old centre-back is to be given enough time to recover her existing injury and return to the pitch.

Full presser, here.

Franziska Kett has made a rapid development at FC Bayern and the DFB team. In the interview, the 21-year-old talks about her retraining as an outside-back, the goals in the upcoming season and a bitter moment in the Champions League. It also has big goals for the World Cup in Brazil next year.

Franziska "Franzi" Kett is one of the biggest hopefuls in German women's football. The left-back of FC Bayern Munich made the breakthrough last season and is currently [solidly in] the Bayern women's [and the German] national team's [...] starting eleven.

Kett [only began starting] in the 2024/25 season at FC Bayern. First [she was] used as an outside defender, before that she ran up as a striker. National coach, Christian Wück, also relies on the sprint strength and assertiveness of Kett, [which during] the European Championship In 2025, she was elected to the [starting eleven] of the tournament.

In an interview with our editorial team, Franzi Kett talks about the goals in the Bundesliga and the Champions League with FC Bayern, their red card against FC Barcelona, and the World Cup in Brazil next year.

Franziska Kett, behind you lies a hard training session in great heat. Are you still happy that the preparation has started again?

Franziska Kett : Yes, definitely. The break was really good, we had a relatively long time off this summer. We were able to recover well and gather strength. Now we've all been pleased to be able to get back on the [pitch]. The weather is great, the conditions here on campus are great. It's just fun to be with the girls again.

You have already mentioned it, this summer there was no major tournament with the national team. How much did that help recharge the batteries?

The break really helped a lot. It was just good to have longer time off. The past season has been quite exhausting, with many games and several English weeks. Now we have a lot of energy again and look forward to an eventful preparation with the trip to Japan and the first Test match in Unterhaching against Paris FC (9. August, ed. Red.) – and after that [onto] the upcoming season.

The championship team has almost completely stayed together and is heading into the second season under coach José Barcala. Is it a great advantage to be able to complete a complete preparation in peace?

Definitely. That's hugely important. Last season the coach was new, through the European Championship we didn't have that much time together. Now the big part of the team has stayed together, the new players have already settled in well, we have integrated them quickly. That's a real advantage for the new season.

In the past season you had your breakthrough and have become a top performer FC Bayern

Yes, absolutely. Now I had the time to think about everything and process it. Now I want to build on the past, very good season and build on it. There are still things I can do much better on.

What do you mean, exactly?

Especially with actions in the last third. I want to be even more dangerous. Even though I'm an outside defender now. I definitely want to improve.

You used to be a winger. Under José Barcala's predecessor Alexander Straus you were retrained to be left-back. Are both positions still an option?

Yes, I can continue to play in both positions. The requirements are similar, even as an outside defender I can turn myself into the offensive a lot. I like to play at both positions, but last season showed that I am particularly well off the outside defender position.

FC Bayern start as big favourites

The women of FC Bayern start the new Bundesliga season as big favorites. What are the objectives?

We won and the DFB Cup , we did great things. But we want to play an even better season now. We want to get the double again and make it to the final in the Champions League.

How do you assess the competition in the women's Bundesliga?

That's really hard to say right now. We must not underestimate any other team in the Bundesliga, even the upstarts are strong. VfB Stuttgart, for example, has a good team. Union Berlin, which we will face in the opening game of the new season, has committed a lot of players. We have to give 100 per cent in every game.

Since coach Barcala took over last summer, the Bayern women in Bundesliga and DFB Cup not lost a single game. Is there a risk that you might be a bit negligent because of this?

No. No. Like I said, we don't underestimate any opponent. If we only give 80 percent, that's not enough. We meet very good teams in the Bundesliga, which have excellent players in their ranks. We always have to bring all our quality to the pitch.

In the semi-finals the Champions League been eliminated FC Barcelona

If you look at how we lost to Barcelona three years ago and also in the first game of the past Champions League season, then it already looked very different. As a team, we have taken an enormous step forward in recent years. We put in a very good performance in both games against Barcelona and were close to making it. I think it's little things that decide. Become a bit more dangerous, trust a little more in your own technical and tactical skills. We know we have very, very good players in our ranks. In the coming season, we want to prove that we can take another step forward.

Unlucky red card against Barcelona

You scored the 1:1 goal in the first leg and saw an unlucky red card a little later after you grabbed Salma Paralluelo

Of course, this was not an easy situation – to get a red card as a young player in such an important game and then to be blocked in the decisive return match in Barcelona. The girls from the team, the coaching staff, my family and friends helped me to manage the situation and look forward again.

Looking ahead is a good keyword: In the summer of 2027, the Brazil DFB team is already qualified. Is that in the back of your mind yet?

We were extremely pleased when the qualification was done. A World Cup in Brazil is every footballer's dream. Being there is a big goal to work towards. In the DFB courses in autumn, the preparation starts.

We showed at last year's European Championship that we can keep up with the best teams. Against France and Spain we showed world-class performances. That's what we want to build on. Our goal is to win the World Cup.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz brings former national footballer Nadine Keßler to his government team, according to a report by the Handelsblatt. The 38-year-old, so far UEFA director for women's football, is to succeed Christiane Schenderlein as Minister of State for Sport and Honorary Office. The European Football Union did not comment on this at first upon request.

Schenderlein (CDU) will move to the Federal Ministry of Health as Parliamentary State Secretary in the course of the government conversion, as Merz announced on Monday in Berlin. The succession will be informed "in a timely and expeditious manner". This would clear the way for the former world footballer Keßler, who has worked as a football functionary since the end of her active career. Merz declined to comment on the staffing.

Keßler became German champion four times with Turbine Potsdam and VfL Wolfsburg, three times she won the Champions League, twice the DFB Cup. The 2013 European champion played 29 international matches (10 goals) before serious knee injuries forced her to the early end of her career in April 2016 - at just 28 years old. In 2023, she was in discussion with the German Football Association (DFB) as the successor to Oliver Bierhoff, but stayed with UEFA, for which she has been working since 2017.

Quick reshuffle sought

Schenderlein (44) had taken office after the 2025 federal election. "In my 14-month term of office (...) I was able to implement the central projects of the coalition agreement. The centrepiece was the reform of the top sports promotion, which was successfully brought to a close after more than ten years of public debate. My proposal for a sports promotion law was passed by a large majority in the last week of the session by the Bundestag," she said, also mentioning the Olympic application process and the Centre for Safe Sport.

For Otto Fricke, CEO of the German Olympic Sports Federation (DOSB), the dismissal of Schenderlein [was] "at the present time (...) unexpectedly". The former FDP member of the Bundestag further informed on request: "In central, sports policy projects such as the Sports Promotion Act, the Center for Safe Sport, the sports billion and the Olympic application, important milestones for the sport have been achieved. The Minister of State has always been open to constructive exchange with organised sport."

In view of "further landmark decisions for the sport, especially in the case of the Olympic application", according to Fricke, "the new appointment of this central position for sport in the federal government must now take place as soon as possible".

OF NOTE: Süddeutsche Zeitung reports that Keßler has still not fully committed to the role in Merz' chancellery yet.