The first international matches of the year are done and dusted! Ahead of the re-start of the Rückrunde for FC Bayern Women, 18 FCB players were recently in action with their national teams in friendlies and at various tournaments. fcbayern.com has an overview of the results.
Germany and Austria
No less than six players received Germany call-ups this time round. Sydney Lohmann had to withdraw from the squad and leave the training camp early due to muscular problems. After a short training camp in Marbella, Spain, Klara Bühl, Linda Dallmann, Lea Schüller, Lina Magull, and Carolin Simon played in a friendly against 2021 Olympic silver medallists Sweden. More than 20,000 spectators saw the teams play out a 0-0 draw in Duisburg.
Sarah Zadrazil also spent some time in warmer climes with the Austrian national team. During a week-long training camp in Malta, the Austria Women played two friendlies against the Netherlands. They won the first match on 17 February after a dramatic finish (2-1), but in the second encounter, just four days later, the Red and Whites were thrashed 4-0.
Lina Magull and co. played out a 0-0 draw against Sweden.
England and Iceland
Tournament winner! Reigning European champion Georgia Stanway won the Arnold Clark Cup with England in her home country for the second time in a row. The Bayern midfielder scored the opener from the spot in the opening match against South Korea (final score: 4-1). In the second game against Italy (2-1) and in the final clash with Belgium (6-1), the Lionesses were absolutely dominant and retained the trophy in convincing manner.
Three FCB players who played for Iceland at the Pinatar Cup in Spain also enjoyed a successful tournament: Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir, Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir and goalkeeper Cecilía Rán Rúnarsdóttir helped their team to a tournament win after beating Scotland (2-1) and the Philippines (5-0) and drawing with Wales (0-0).
Japan and Brazil
The SheBelivesCup in the USA threw up an internal FCB clash at international level, with Bayern players Saki Kumagai and Tainara going head to head in the first match between Japan and Brazil. At the end of 90 minutes, the Seleção Feminina came out on top (1-0). In the second round of matches, Japan were beaten 1-0 by hosts USA, with Brazil beating Canada by the same result. In their final match, Japan beat Canada 3-0 to secure second place behind trophy winners USA. The week-long tournament ended with a defeat for the Brazilians, when they lost 2-1 to the USWNT.
Saki Kumagai in Japan colours tussles with the USA's Alex Morgan.
Norway and Croatia
In Cyprus, Ivana Rudelić played three games with the Croatian national team in the Cyprus Cup. After losing 4-1 to eventual tournament winners Finland, the Croatians secured two wins of their own. FCB striker Rudelić contributed significantly to both successes, scoring in both the 2-0 against Romania and the final win (1-0) against Hungary.
The Norwegians, featuring FCB new signing Tuva Hansen, played Uruguay, Denmark and hosts France at the Tournoi de France. After a 1-0 win in the first match against Uruguay and a 2-0 defeat against Denmark, the Norwegians held the French to a 0-0 draw, which put them in third place. Hansen played in two of the three matches for Norway.
The Norwegians, featuring FCB new signing Tuva Hansen managed a draw against the favourites France.
Norway and Germany U19 matches
As part of the 10 Nations Cup in Spain, the Germany U19s, featuring Franziska Kett and youth player Laura Gloning, played three friendlies in Spain. The youngsters put in some convincing performances, garnering two wins against England (2-1) and Sweden (3-0), and playing out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Italy. In the draw with the Italians, FCB forward Franziska Kett got on the scoresheet when she put her team 2-0 up. Emilie Bragstad was in action with the Norway U19s, winning 2-1 against Portugal in a friendly.
Game in hand in Potsdam
With the international break now done and dusted, the Bavarians travel to Potsdam at the weekend. This Saturday, 25 February, at 13:00 CET, FCB Women play their game in hand against Turbine Potsdam.
Francisco De Sá Fardilha has been appointed the new technical director of women's football at Bayern:
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