Härtetest on the last day!

It was a super exhausting evening for me yesterday. My goal was to get everyone fit for the day and start the day with full force.

In the morning, I treated some players from top to bottom before breakfast, then had a great breakfast.

Yesterday was the endurance test. Colombia and Australia are the opponents for today.

The game against Colombia started at 11 o'clock.

In the first few minutes, we started off strong and took a 4-0 lead. Then the Colombians got into the game and managed to tie it 5-5. The last points before halftime were tied until our opponent reached the 8th point and halftime.

Let's keep going - but now things were going bad. Time was running against us as it was a very intense game. The points became longer as everyone gave their maximum effort. 10-7 for Colombia. Now it was our turn again and we closed the gap to 10-9. Everything was up for grabs but only about 10 minutes to go.

So it was another game decided by time. The game became more heated and aggressive. 11-9 for Colombia. Timeout. Clear instructions from our side. Our offense on the field. The opponent starts, 10 short passes forward, turnover, Colombia attacks, 3 meters from the end zone, turnover, long fast pass through the middle from us, followed by 4 short passes and the throw into the end zone for 10-11.

During the point, we exceeded the time cap. This means that since we scored, the game only goes until 12.

Germany starts, Colombia attacks, direct turnover for us. The chance to tie the game, but Colombia is on guard and defends. After another 8 minutes of playing time for this point, Colombia managed to seal the deal and end the game with 12-10. That was the KO for us and the bad news is that we had 4 injured players after the game.

Unpleasant opponent! But still played very well.

During the break, I did everything to make everyone ready for action again.

Goal achieved.

The game starts and the host starts off strong.

4-0 for the ladies of Australia. Then we got back into the game. 6-3 and then 8-4 at halftime.

Treating during every point, but you could tell it was becoming too much.

Then the end for another one of our players who made the point for 5-8, but twisted her knee in the process.

Our girls couldn't do much against Australia's 25-man squad (we are 18). We were plagued by injuries and the energy was lacking after the first game as well.

Giving it everything one last time, even the injured players limped onto the field, because no one wanted to give up, which led to a final score of 15-9 for the hosts.

Unfortunately, not such a great ending for us at the World Cup here in Australia. But we gave it our all until the end and made it really difficult for every opponent.

Even the US (who eventually won gold) said:

"They haven't had such a strong and challenging opponent in a long time."

Absolute top performance and the mental attitude of the team - simply fantastic. You have to take your hat off to everyone who is part of this team and who has been with them for over a year, whether as players or as coaches.

Everyone pushed themselves to their absolute limits.

Really awesome team and it was a lot of fun.

Team Germany - U24 Women

Today we just had a relaxed breakfast together and went to the fields to watch the final games.

That even attracted some exotic guests

The USA dominated this World Cup again and won the gold medal in all 3 divisions. New Zealand won the Spirit Prize in all three divisions for being the fairest.

After the games, we went to the hotel where we had dinner together and thanked the hotel staff as well as the kitchen staff.

Later in the evening, most of us went to the after-show party.

See you tomorrow