Published: Saturday 31 March 2012, 21.20CET
Célia
Okoyino da Mbabi scored four goals in Germany's crucial 5-0 Group 2
defeat of Spain but she and Viola Odebrecht were relieved they did not
pay for a slow start in Mannheim.
by Markus Juchem
from Carl-Benz-Stadion
©Getty Images
Germany
striker Célia Okoyino da Mbabi struck four goals to inspire a crucial
5-0 UEFA Women's EURO 2013 qualifying Group 2 defeat of Spain but both
she and Viola Odebrecht were relieved they did not pay for a slow start.
Having scored hat-tricks in Germany's last two games in the Algarve Cup, a 4-0 win against Sweden and 4-3 final defeat of world champions Japan, she now has a tally of ten goals in three games and boasts a qualifying-leading tally of nine. Alexandra Popp also struck as Germany moved three points clear of their main group rivals, who had held them 2-2 in November, and Spain's Verónica Boquete is now focusing on pipping Switzerland to second place.
Célia Okoyino da Mbabi, Germany forward
But in the second half we improved our game and scored more goals. I really feel fit and I can only confirm everything is working fine for me, I haven't had any bad injuries recently, so I have been able to develop my game and it is just fun to play in this team. It is nice if the result of this is to score many goals. Tomorrow we will start preparing for the Switzerland game.
Viola Odebrecht, Germany midfielder
In the first 30 or 40 minutes we were not the team we used to be. We were too late in the tackle and didn't show what we can do. Spain were able to shine, because we were that bad. I have no idea why we didn't get into the game.
Verónica Boquete, Spain forward
We came here for a win or draw, but we knew it would be difficult. Our goal is to qualify for EURO 2013 and we have to build on the first half today. The game against Switzerland [on 16 June] will be a key game, as they are our big rivals for the second place in the group, but we still have every chance of automatic qualification as best runners-up.
Having scored hat-tricks in Germany's last two games in the Algarve Cup, a 4-0 win against Sweden and 4-3 final defeat of world champions Japan, she now has a tally of ten goals in three games and boasts a qualifying-leading tally of nine. Alexandra Popp also struck as Germany moved three points clear of their main group rivals, who had held them 2-2 in November, and Spain's Verónica Boquete is now focusing on pipping Switzerland to second place.
Célia Okoyino da Mbabi, Germany forward
I am really happy about the victory against Spain, that was our goal and we can now focus on playing Switzerland[on Thursday]. We had a very bad first half, there was a lack of focus and we played very bad passes. And even when I scored the first goal, things didn't really get better and we showed a face, we haven't seen before and we didn't know.
But in the second half we improved our game and scored more goals. I really feel fit and I can only confirm everything is working fine for me, I haven't had any bad injuries recently, so I have been able to develop my game and it is just fun to play in this team. It is nice if the result of this is to score many goals. Tomorrow we will start preparing for the Switzerland game.
Viola Odebrecht, Germany midfielder
In the first 30 or 40 minutes we were not the team we used to be. We were too late in the tackle and didn't show what we can do. Spain were able to shine, because we were that bad. I have no idea why we didn't get into the game.
It went much better in the second half, but we still didn't show what we really can do. When we scored the second and third goal it was much easier for us and Spain lost confidence, but in general our performance was not worthy of a Germany team today.
Verónica Boquete, Spain forward
In the first 25 minutes we really made Germany suffer. But after the first goal and especially the second early in the second half we hung our headsa bit, they robbed us of the ball in midfield quickly and started fast counterattacks. And a quality side like Germany know how to finish their chances, each shot was a goal.
We came here for a win or draw, but we knew it would be difficult. Our goal is to qualify for EURO 2013 and we have to build on the first half today. The game against Switzerland [on 16 June] will be a key game, as they are our big rivals for the second place in the group, but we still have every chance of automatic qualification as best runners-up.
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I am really happy about the victory against Spain, that was our goal and we can now focus on playing Switzerland
Célia Okoyino da Mbabi
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