Footballing brilliance

What are your sporting goals for 2023?

Lena: With my club, VfL Wolfsburg, we want to win the triple. That’s a defined goal for the team. Then, of course, I’d like to be in the World Cup squad and achieve the big goal of becoming world champion with the team. Personally, I’m always interested in developing myself and being a role model for young people. Especially at events like this, it’s great to see how the girls look up to me. So, I would just say to be a role model and always stay authentic.

What is your favorite PUMA product?

Lena: The PUMA Mayze.

How are you preparing for the World Cup within the national team now, after the test match against Sweden and before the big match against Brazil, in Nuremberg?

Lena: Before the game against Brazil, we have ten days of training. These training sessions are about preparing for the opponents, i.e. the Netherlands and Brazil, but also about defining ourselves as a team for the World Cup. In addition, we’ll continue to work on tactics and maybe try out a new system. And then, after the game against Sweden, the World Cup preparation in Herzogenaurach is on the agenda. That’s the final spurt, so to speak, with the finishing touches.

Which team could be the biggest opponent at the World Cup?

Lena: I’m very confident that we’ll get through the group stage. Then I see both England, the reigning European champions, and the USA as the biggest opponents. They are always a very strong team. Brazil is also a favorite.

Do you have any pre-match rituals?

Lena: On game day, I always have the same routine. One of them is the diet. I usually eat porridge. It’s a ritual, but it has no other reason. I don’t always put on the right shoe or sock first. I don’t do that kind of thing.

Women’s soccer has developed rapidly in recent years. What else would you like to see in the future?

Lena: I would like to see even more visibility. I think we are on a good path. But we have to keep at it. We need media attention, but also attention from many viewers. I think the Euro 2022 has really created a lot of hype, and it’s important that we keep performing to get people into the stadium.

How do you think the World Cup will advance women’s soccer this year?

Lena: I think it’s fantastic that the World Cup is happening so early, not the usual two years after the European Championship, but already after one year. Now we are really in the spotlight and women’s soccer is perceived differently. I have the feeling that it is much more appreciated than before the European Championship. The World Cup comes at a good time to build on that.

Who are your biggest supporters?

Lena: That’s my family, my parents, my sister. They are on site at most of the Games, no matter where, whether in Barcelona, in London, in Paris, they always try to make it work. I know I can always rely on them. That gives me a good feeling.

In addition to your professional soccer career, you’re also currently studying. How do you manage to juggle all that?

Lena: The most important thing you need is good time management, a certain amount of self-discipline to manage both at the same time, and of course fun in sports and, less common for many, fun in studying. Also, in the fact that you want to continue your education.

What do you do you relax?

Lena: It varies. On my days off, I go on trips with friends to another city or simply to another environment to clear my head and see other things. Completely away from soccer. But reading a book or watching a movie also helps me relax.

What was the best advice you ever received?

Lena: Not to overthink things too much.