Final step in Kulig's 'incredible' year
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
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Kim Kulig only made her Germany debut in February but the 19-year-old has become a regular and ahead of the final against England told uefa.com: "The last six months has been incredible."
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When Kim Kulig went into the dressing room at half-time in their UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ semi-final against Norway she had an unwelcome sense of déjà vu.
No repeat
Germany were 1-0 down and the midfielder feared a repeat of the events in Tours a year ago when she was in the team, also titleholders, beaten on penalties by Norway in the last four of the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship. However, her concern was soon allayed as Germany quickly turned it around at the Helsinki Football Stadium to win 3-1 and set up a final in the nearby Olympic Stadium against England on Thursday.
Relief
"I have to admit that I had to think about it and I didn't want to lose again to Norway," Kulig told uefa.com. "I am really satisfied that we were able to turn things around. We performed quite well in the second half and we deserved to win."
Gifted England
There was no time to celebrate, though, as 24 hours earlier England had already booked their final place and Kulig knows she will have her hands full. "England are very attractive opponents," the 19-year-old Hamburger SV player said. "They have performed well throughout the tournament and I expect a really good final. They have a robust team, are strong in the tackle, but they've also got some technically gifted players, that's what makes them unpredictable. They also have some good substitutes, so I expect a difficult game. Kelly Smith is obviously the star, there's also the captain [Faye White] and [Karen] Carney is technically gifted and a pacy player, she runs a lot and is everywhere on the pitch."
Quick rise
Kulig earned her first senior cap in February in a friendly against China and has quickly become a regular in the team, having been only four when current captain Birgit Prinz – then 17 – scored in the 1995 final. "The last six months has been incredible," Kulig said. "Sometimes I think about how quick everything happened, but right now I am just pleased to be part of the team."
Ritual
Prior to the final she will follow a strict ritual as she aims to be part of Germany's fifth European final win in succession and seventh overall. "I always listen to the same R&B and house music songs before the game to push myself, I will again wear my red hair band and I always walk on to the pitch with my right foot first."
