by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The German women's national football team has triggered a wave of enthusiasm proceeding to the knockout stages of the 2022 European Championship in England.
Two victories have turned the team of head coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg into one of the tournament's favorites.
Following the 4-0 win over Denmark, a determined German squad added a 2-0 victory against Spain, sending their fans back home into raptures.
"We are flattered by the enthusiasm we witness back home," Germany keeper Merle Frohms commented.
TV viewing figures hit new heights after 5.95 million viewers had turned the game against Denmark into that day's most-watched broadcast.
The 2003 and 2007 world champions' match against Spain again hit the top as slightly over eight million viewers tuned into the game as the day's TV number one.
Again, the party-like atmosphere in the Brentford Community Stadium in London seemed to come right into living rooms back in Germany, as the team's match strategy paid off.
Passionate defending and endless running efforts enriched with ice-cold and efficiently carried-out counterattacks secured the victory. Bayern Munich's Klara Buhl and Wolfsburg's Alex Popp scored the 2016 Olympic champions' goals.
"Now everything is possible. We have definitely started something big as we enjoy every minute," Frohms added.
Despite Spain has 66 percent of possession, "it affects your opponent, when they see you never give up, you are always ready and run for your life," the German keeper said.
German players praised the robust team spirit after a lap of honor cheered by thousands of fans.
"If we stay focused, the title is within reach," midfielder Lena Oberdorf predicted after loud music had turned the German locker room into a party zone.
The German national coach said the team is happy about the growing attention but is only thinking about the next group encounter against Finland this Saturday and not about the knockout stages against either Austria or Norway.
"We hope to help to promote women's football in Germany as we hear about the flood of positive comments of many back home," coach Voss-Tecklenburg said.
German Football Association sporting director Oliver Bierhoff promised not to waste the chance to benefit from the enthusiasm in the country.
"We have triggered several improvements, we are aware we have to continue and we will," the 1996 European champion added after witnessing the game against Spain in London. ■
