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Spain Win Nations League, Germany Reflect on Trophy Drought
As Spain added a second consecutive Nations League title to its 2023 World Cup win, Germany were left reflecting on a trophy drought that will soon stretch beyond a decade.
But Christian Wück’s team’s presence in the final, and performance across the two legs, was enough to suggest that a major tournament win is not beyond the current generation.
“We can be very, very proud,” said Wück after two second half goals from Claudia Pina either side of one from Vicky Lopez were enough for Spain.
“It was even in the first half but we couldn’t maintain that level of play. We have to be honest about that.”
Profligacy proves costly again
Germany’s best chance fell shortly before half time but, one on one with the keeper, Nicole Anyomi pulled her shot wide. It was a familiar tale for the 2016 Olympic champions,who failed to take advantage of numerous chances in the first leg in Kaiserslautern on Friday.
“That has to go in, and she had another one in the box in the second half,” Wuck said of Anyomi’s chance.
“That’s the difference between us and the technically gifted Spanish players.”
Spain’s cohesive style at both club and national level is the blueprint for Wück who has gradually rebuilt Germany after thier shock group stage exit at the 2023 World Cup. Gone are veterans like Alex Popp and Svenja Huth, and new leaders, such as Klara Bühl, Giulia gwinn and Sjoeke Nüsken are beginning to assert their authority.
“You saw over the two games we can live with Spain. We can take a lot of positives out of the first game. But today the Spanish were just more efficient to break the deadlock,” Nüsken who plays her club foo
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