Germany enter Nations League semi against France full of confidence

The German national women's team is confident that it can beat France in the Nations League semi-finals on Friday and qualify for the Paris Olympics in summer.

"It doesn't really make sense to lose a game with this quality," coach Horst Hrubsch said on Tuesday as all 23 nominated players reported fit for a first training session in Frankfurt.

"The girls are fit and and have almost no ailments," the 72-year-old added.

Germany play France in Lyon and will secure their return to France for the Games with victory. If they lose, they will get a second chance in the match for third place which like the final is set for February 28.

France are directly qualified as hosts for the Olympics, and two teams qualify via the Nations League Finals where world champions Spain play the Netherlands in the other semi-final.

Germany have won all five games against France at World Cups and European championships, and also their last meeting in a 2022 friendly.

"We have decided many important matches in our favour," said midfielder Sara Däbritz who plays at French side Olympique Lyon.

"We will enter the game with this confidence. We will give our all to reach the final. Of course we have the dream and the wish to qualify for the Olympic Games."

The German women won gold at the Rio 2016 Olympics but failed to qualify for the 2021 tournament in Tokyo.

Hrubesch is expected to field an attack with captain Alexandra Popp and Lea Schüller, while Marina Hegering and Kathrin Hendrich are expected as centre backs and Lena Oberdorf as key midfielder.

"I am convinced that we will have a super team. The anticipation is huge. The atmosphere is great and the energy there in training," Däbritz said.

Hrubesch won Olympic silver in 2016 with the men's team and is now acting as interim coach for the women who are yet to have a permanent coach in succession of Martina Voss-Tecklenburg whose term ended in November.

He is set to stay for the Olympic tournament if the team qualifies, and has also said he would be available in case of missing out until a new coach has been appointed.