Germany midfielder cautions teammates ahead of Olympic clash with Zambia and co.

Bayern Munich and Germany midfielder Giulia Gwinn has noted that there will be no easy matches at the 2024 Paris Olympics women’s football tournament.

Germany is in Group B, alongside Zambia, Australia, and the USWNT. They will begin their group stage campaign with a match against the Matildas on July 27th, followed by the USWNT, before facing the Copper Queens on July 31.

Gwinn missed Germany’s FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 campaign in Australia and New Zealand due to an injury, but she is now back in action.

With Germany returning to the Olympics for the first time since 2016, the 24-year-old described it as a dream come true for the squad’s younger players, led by interim coach Horst Hrubesch.

“Everyone who’s already played at an Olympics keeps saying what a great event it is. There’s nothing to compare with it, and we were all desperate to qualify. Now that we’ve made it, it’s a dream come true for me,” she told FIFA.com.

Gwinn cautioned her team not to underestimate the threats posed by the team in Group B.

“The USA are still among the best teams in the world, while Australia made it to the semi-finals of the World Cup. I think it’s cool to come up against top-level opposition at a tournament,” she stated.

Zambia, Germany rematch awaits

The Copper Queens, who will begin their campaign against the USWNT, are the lowest-ranked team in the group, but Gwinn believes there won’t be an easy opponent at the Olympics.

“I think it’s cool to come up against top-level opposition at a tournament. In any case, only 12 countries are taking part, so there won’t be any so-called easy opponents,” Gwinn said.

Barbra Banda controls the ball during the Women's international friendly between Germany and Zambia at Sportpark Ronhof Thomas Sommer on July 7, 2023 in Fuerth, Germany. (Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) — Barbra Banda controls the ball during the Women’s international friendly between Germany and Zambia at Sportpark Ronhof Thomas Sommer on July 7, 2023 in Fuerth, Germany. (Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Last July, the Copper Queens defeated Germany 2-3 in an international friendly match ahead of the World Cup, thanks to a Barbra Banda brace and a goal from Racheal Kundananji.

Zambia will also be competing in their second Olympics, having made their debut in Tokyo in 2021.

Twelve teams will compete for gold at this year’s Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, which will take place in seven French cities from July 25 to August 10.