Germany Women’s national team head coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg has announced a 23-member squad for the forthcoming friendly matches against Sweden (April 6 in Solna, Sweden) and Japan (April 9 in Paderborn, Germany). The high-profile friendly matches are part of Germany’s preparations for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France this summer.

Goalkeeper Almuth Schult returns to the squad after curing a measles infection, while SGS Essen duo Lena Oberdorf and Linda Dallmann also earned call ups after their recovery from injuries.

“Japan and Sweden are two leading countries in Women’s football. Our aim is to utilise these matches to test ourselves, but also to rehearse automatisms. It is always important for us to bring together both parts,” said Voss-Tecklenburg.

The match against Sweden is a classic of Women’s football. Both sides faced each other in 27 international matches so far, while the last clash at the UEFA Women’s EURO Netherlands 2017 ended in a goalless draw. “Sweden has a lot of quality in their offense. They play with a lot of pace up-front and they captivate through their physical strength and presence. It will be exciting to find out our capabilities to figure out solutions and prevail against their strong forechecking,” the head coach told.

Three days later, Germany will face 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup runners-up Japan in Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s first home game after taking over the reigns as Germany head coach in November 2018. The two teams have met in 13 internatinal matches so far, while the last match took place in March 2014 at the Algarve Cup. Germany won the match 3-0.

“Japan is a totally different opponent than Sweden. The team is technically well-versed, plays a quick combination play and they are grossed. It will be our second match at the highest level within a short period. It will be an ideal test for the World Cup,” Voss-Tecklenburg stated.

Germany Women’s Squad

Goalkeepers
1 Almuth Schult (VfL Wolfsburg), 21 Merle Frohms (SC Freiburg), 31 Carina Schlüter (SC Sand)

Defenders
2 Carolin Simon (Olympique Lyonnais), 3 Kathrin Hendrich (FC Bayern Munich), 8 Lena Goeßling (VfL Wolfsburg), 19 Felicitas Rauch (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam), 23 Sara Doorsoun (VfL Wolfsburg), 25 Johanna Elsig (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam), 28 Marina Hegering (SGS Essen), 32 Klara Bühl (SC Freiburg)

Midfielders/Forwards
7 Lea Schüller (SGS Essen), 9 Svenja Huth (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam), 10 Dzsenifer Marozsán (Olympique Lyonnais), 11 Alexandra Popp (VfL Wolfsburg), 13 Sara Däbritz (FC Bayern Munich), 15 Giulia Gwinn (SC Freiburg), 16 Linda Dallmann (SGS Essen), 17 Verena Schweers (FC Bayern Munich), 18 Melanie Leupolz (FC Bayern Munich), 20 Lina Magull (FC Bayern Munich), 22 Turid Knaak (SGS Essen), 33 Lena Sophie Oberdorf (SGS Essen)