Germany’s Sjoeke Nüsken earns respect after crucial penalty: “Typical of her to take responsibility.” | OneFootball

The German women’s national found themselves in a tight sport during Tuesday evening’s European group stage fixture against Denmark. Trailing 0-1 as the hour-mark approached, it didn’t seem as if Christian Wück’s Frauennationalmannschaft could fight their way back. Optically, the team’s performance from open play was severely lacking.

Thankfully, the DFB-Mädels were given a chance from a dead ball situation in the 55th after Denmark’s Katrine Veje took out Germany’s Linda Dallmann in the box. Who would step forward to take the penalty remained a mystery due to the fact that the squad’s primary penalty taker, captain Giulia Gwinn, was no longer available.

Without hesitation or deliberation, newly elevated vice captain Sjoeke Nüsken grabbed the ball. Nüsken’s 56th-minute conversion helped the German women level matters up. A Lea Schüller goal ten minutes later would ultimately lead Germany to a 2-1 victory.

“That wasn’t my decision,” Wück responded when asked about the new penalty-taking hierarchy in his post-match ARD interview. “That was her decision. It’s typical of Sjoeke to take responsibility.”

“We agreed [before the match] that it would come down to whoever was feeling it,” Nüsken herself said of the penalty take in the mixed zone. “I had a good feeling, wanted to take a positive action, and grabbed the ball.”

GGFN | Peter Weis