by Olaf Goldbecker
Turbine Potsdam
The champion of the past four seasons has to undergo another major change. The financially stronger competitors from Frankfurt and Wolfsburg picked up several players and cared for Potsdam not being the favorite for the upcoming campaign. “I don’t understand soccer anymore if we are becoming champions again”, said coaching veteran Bernd Schröder who just turned 70. As reaction on the constantly leaving German NT players he relies on a strong base of internationals. Peter, Schmidt, Isabel Kerschowski and Odebrecht are key losses for the team, while Vidarsdottir never fulfilled the expectations. New addition Elsig is already out with a long term injury. Hopes rely on Keelin Winters and Stefanie Mirlach.
Additions: Heleen Jaques (VV St Truiden/Belgium), Keelin Winters (Seattle Sounders), Lisa Evans (Glasgow City), Johanna Elsig (Bayer Leverkusen), Sara Doorsoun-Khajeh (SC Bad Neuenahr), Stefanie Mirlach (Bayern München)
Losses: Babett Peter, Bianca Schmidt (1.FFC Frankfurt), Isabel Kerschowski (Bayer Leverkusen), Monique Kerschowski (retired), Margret Lara Vidarsdottir (Kristianstads DFF), Viola Odebrecht (VfL Wolfsburg), Daniela Löwenberg (unknown)
Predicted Finish: The losses are too big to finish on top again, the team has to click together very soon to make it happen. On paper, both Wolfsburg and Frankfurt have a stronger roster, but if someone can turn this into a successful season it definitely is Coach Schröder.
VfL Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg made big investments in the past, which resulted in the first ever Champions League participation. This is not the end of the road for the team, which is pumped with Volkswagen money. Major new acquisitions followed for this season, head coach and sporting director Ralf Kellermann wisely invested and the first ever title should not be far away in the future for the Wolves. The club sees no important players leaving, while mainly Popp and Odebrecht are key additions. The other new players are some of Germany’s biggest talents, which cares for a bright future.
Additions: Alexandra Popp, Luisa Wensing (FCR Duisburg), Viola Odebrecht (Turbine Potsdam), Carolin Simon (Hamburger SV), Annabel Jäger, Lina Magull (FSV Gütersloh), Lyn Meyer (Lok Leipzig)
Losses: Leni Larsen Kaurin (Stabaek/Norway), Nathalie Bock (BV Cloppenburg), Martina Moser (TSG Hoffenheim)
Predicted Finish: Wolfsburg and Frankfurt are the teams that invested the most but Wolfsburg did it wiser. The team is more balanced and offensively stronger. It would not be a big surprise to see the Wolves raise the trophy at the end of the season.