Group B: Aus’ last dance, USWNT point to prove, Germany sleeping giants, Zambia’s superstars

All eyes will be on the Matildas with a golden generation gunning for a medal but this group is full of so much more.

The landmines of two sleeping giants in the USWNT and Germany could cause headaches while Zambia has more than a few tricks up their sleeves.

Here’s what to expect from Group B.

MATILDAS: Golden generation’s last chance at illusive gold medal

Reaching the semi-final at the last Olympics broke the floodgates to go on and reach another last four at a home World Cup – but can this generation dubbed “golden” finally break the duck and finish with silverware?

Timed alongside the global boom of women’s football has been a generation of Australian players notching tournament after tournament with each other that arguably goes back to Germany 2011. While thrilling youngsters led by Kyra Cooney-Cross is showing there’s life beyond that core, there’s little doubt the now-veterans is a generation determined to etch themselves into history.

It’s not uncommon for golden generations to miss out on grand finals or silverware. A quality French team shared the semi-final curse in 2011/12 tournaments, Brazil arguable had one of the best national sides to never win a major tournament and England suffered through back-to-back semi-final World Cup losses before winning the Euros – and then lost in the grand final against another generational side Spain.

The World Cup semi-final heartbreak against England seemed like one game too many, meanwhile the Olympics’ tighter schedule could work in the Matildas’ favour. Along with smaller squads, a hesitance to rely on depth won’t be as stark with all teams limited to only 18 players. But no doubt the schedule will be brutal.

Where the World Cup arrived with an injury cloud lingering over Sam Kerr, it’s clear as mud that with an ACL injury the reliable goalscorer is out. The question then turns to is it possible to win the Olympics without her. In short yes – Caitlin Foord and Mary Fowler are both geniuses ready for the mantle. Will it be easy? No.

The Matildas will enter playing fewer games than most, which could be a positive or negative. Encouragingly, there’s been a lot of air miles, kilometres in their legs over the past three years and taking the gas off is a much-needed refresher. However, it’s given less chance to put the shine on any new ideas or feeling confident playing without Kerr. Only time will tell if a slower 2024 is the Matildas secret weapon.

In a dangerous group not losing against Zambia will be crucial. The last African side the Matildas played in Nigeria was a demoralising experience that very nearly derailed their World Cup. Zambia lingers as a bogey side given the little experience against the confederation. While not at the same level of organisation and confidence to spring on any weaknesses as Nigeria, Zambia is a rising nation led by forwards who know how to score.

Another danger is meeting two wounded traditional powerhouses in the group stage. Both Germany and the USWNT have the deep player pools to draw upon that talent is never an issue. However, both nations left Australia 2023 in sour moods falling well below expectation. It’ll be a matter of when and not if they return to lofty heights.

What could be a final swan-song for the golden generation in its prime to cement themselves in history they’ll need to use every ounce of experience to navigate the landmine of a group stage, let alone what lies beyond.

USWNT: Time of change under a new boss

If anyone says the USWNT is a dark horse, don’t believe them – they’re always in it to win it. 

However, the USWNT’s growing pains were fully displayed at the World Cup last year. This comes as many of the superstars who had guided the nation to back-to-back-to-back titles retired and the few remaining couldn’t find the right gears. Yet, it was still only by the finest of margins that they were knocked out in shootouts against Sweden. 

Since, they’ve won two penalty shoot-out finals, granted one was for a tournament of their own making in the She Believes Cup. In the Gold Cup, they also bounced back from a flat, disappointing loss against Mexico to stride past a much fancied Colombia in the semi-finals. 

The impact of Emma Hayes’ arrival can’t be underestimated. In fact, the side is ripe for her. 

They’re young, with a winning mentality and something to prove. It’s exactly the environment you’d expect Hayes to thrive. She’ll have the opportunity to mould some of the incredible talent coming through their system. 

The idea of Hayes shaping a young player like Jaeyden Shaw is like the promise of a well-laminated croissant – pure goodness in being patient and baking at exactly the right time for the most excellent crunch. It’s something the former Chelsea coach already has a recipe for at club level and if she can apply the same recipe as Laura James to international level, talented players will become unstoppable.

Turning to the tournament things only get more interesting. Obviously, it’ll be a baptism by fire for any new coach, but they still have proven, experienced winners such as Alex Morgan and Lindsay Horan to draw upon. 

Once again the Americans will meet the Matildas in the group stage where nothing could separate the pair three years ago. The tables feel somewhat turned, where the Americans had the experienced squad used to winning and Aussies the up-and-comers – the shoe will be on the other foot, albeit without the major silverware backing the Matildas. 

A blockbuster of two sleeping giants should headline the group when they play Germany. A meeting between the pair in the group stage is a rare event and one for the past few decades you’d predict to be a grand final. An early clash is the beauty of the Olympics and what separates it from other tournaments – rightly or wrongly. 

And Zambia’s key threats is one the USWNT should be well known in Racheal Kundananji and Barbra Banda – both who signed big deals to join the NWSL this season. They’ll meet a fresh Zambia in the tournament’s first game wanting to make a statement quickly, which will be dangerous for the USWNT.

Can the USWNT win gold? Probably, but it’s not going to be smooth sailing.

Germany: Don’t nap on sleeping giants

Germany has always been a heavy favourite in any tournament they’ve entered in recent history, despite Spain stealing the spotlight. This year’s Olympics should be treated no differently.

Drawing comparisons with their Group B opponents the USWNT is easy. Arguably Germany’s group-stage exit at last year’s World Cup was worse, but both teams have a strong winning tradition and a talent pool that is the envy of many. The growing popularity of women’s football globally means countries are catching up to the pair which once dominated. 

Being knocked out early because they took their foot off the gas in the last group game is a steep learning kerb that could solidify a squad that narrowly missed out on winning the Euros grand final the year beforehand.

It’s difficult to estimate the impact of having an interim coach will have on them. Horst Hrubesch replaced Martina Voss-Tecklenburg after the World Cup. He is an experienced coach with years under his belt and won’t be afraid of the expectation that comes along with managing Germany. Since taking over in October, Germany has had a mixed bag of results, losing to France, drawing to Wales and beating the Netherlands. The value of an experienced interim coach is all his focus will be on the here and now of the Olympics. He won’t have eyes to the future that the incoming Christian Wuck, who will coming in after the tournament, would have.

Perhaps their greatest weapon is no secret in forward Alex Popp. Goals win tournaments and Popp serves them up in spades, especially in big games. In a side that otherwise prioritises structure and organised lines of defence, springing a quick counter-attack with Popp leading the line is a winning if not somewhat predictable, known formula.

Previously Germany met the Matildas in the Olympics in 2016 at Rio. The Matildas gave them an initial shock with a goal in the opening six minutes but fought twice from behind for a 2-all draw. They might not want a repeat in result however, they went on to win the gold medal – something they would be intending to replicate.

With that, the Matildas are a different prospect than eight years ago. While a lot of the same players will line up for Australia, they’ve well and truly have experience under their belt and would be unlikely to let two leads slip against Germany. The Europeans will need to be more cunning and organised, but they’re capable.

A tactical battle ensues for the German’s first game of the tournament against the USWNT. Both teams will undoubtedly have a point to prove, but meeting in the first game means either can bounce back and threaten for a medal if on the wrong side of the ledger.

The biggest measure of whether the giants have learnt from the World Cup is how they take on Zambia. Being ruthless and strategic wins Olympic tournaments, that’s what Germany will need against Zambia to reach beyond the group stage.

Zambia: Iron sharpens iron 

Zambian forwards Racheal Kundananji and Barbra Banda were two of the biggest transfers following last year’s World Cup; This is not a side to underestimate.

A convincing win against Costa Rica wasn’t the only bright side of a World Cup tournament in a ridiculously difficult group consisting of a red-hot Japan and eventual champions Spain. It was a platform to show off their talent to the point that even the NWSL stood up and listened – with Kundananji signing for Bay FC in what was then believed to be a record-breaking fee and the electrifying Banda joining Orlando.

Money talks in football and it’s slowly doing the talking in the women’s game too. Both young forwards who secured lucrative deals have the ability to change the game and their exposure to a more physical league than Spain and China, where they arrived from, will only be an asset to their country.

Zambia qualified for the Olympics by the skin of their teeth. After flying against Angola, Ghana and Morocco both provided sterner tests that resulted in narrow wins on aggravate that sealed their second Olympic tournament in a row. 

Turmoil off the pitch could derail Zambia’s chances before the tournament even starts. The Guardian have reported the nation could be barred from playing in the Olympics with FIFA threatening actions after allegations of money-laundering. That only adds to accusations of misconduct from coach Bruce Mwape during the World Cup.

The team has shown they can leave behind any off-field angst, and the talented player group will be poised to do so again in a challenging group with a confident Australia and two traditional giants Germany and USWNT.

With two of their leaders in the NWSL, the USWNT should be a more familiar opposition. While the Americans could pull out a surprise under a new coach, it’s likely Zambia will be able to do what they do best against them. Sit back to soak up the pressure and spring a lightening quick counter with goal-hungry forwards.

The Matildas and Zambia are yet to meet in a major tournament and both will be somewhat of a mystery to one another. The Matildas haven’t played another African team since their loss to Nigeria at the World Cup. However by replicating a mix of European and American style of football, it will give Zambia some ability to predict their group opponents. 

Meanwhile, Germany will be a different prospect than what Spain offered at the World Cup. A game of cat and mouse could ensue with both teams arguably at their best on the counter, however it’s more likely Germany will control the tempo and could fall into Zambia’s hands if the Africans can remain structured.

Zambia’s form in Olympic qualifications suggests they know how to grind out a result when needed, but they still have a difficult path in front of them if they’re to cook anything sensational up.

READ MORE: GROUP C: Spain’s fav tag, Brazil bouncing back, Nigeria’s discipline, Japan’s new gen

GROUP A: France’s burden, Colombia a new giant, Canada’s new era, NZ building momentum