#005 - Secret Superstars in WoSo - EUROs edition (Group B)
It's the summer of secret superstars!
This is the 2nd part of the series “Secret Superstars in WoSo - EUROs edition”. You can read the Group A here.
Group B
Klara Bühl (21, Germany/Bayern Munich, Winger)
A hattrick in the preparation game against Switzerland caught everyone’s eyes but Bühl’s been a sensation for a while now. Remember the jam packed Wembley game between England and Germany in November 2019? 77k people witnessed a 18 year-old Bühl score the winner that night.
After hitting double digits in the league for goals with Freiburg in 2019/20 and securing a move to Bayern Munich, she has been an integral part of the Bavarian side. She is a player who is equally adept at goal-scoring and chance creation. She is a player with a very high ceiling.
Bühl is perfectly capable of playing on the left or on the right owing to her comfort with either feet. Her spatial awareness on and off-ball is off the charts, she regularly positions herself in front of the defensive line, between the CB and FB, and poses multiple question of them. She reads the game very well, cutting off passing lanes and contributing to the team’s pressing scheme.
She is a creative powerhouse. She is an exceptional dribbler, who can go on the outside or the inside equally well. Her dribbling is effective, always creating space for herself to either get a cross or shot in. Blessed with quick feet, silky first touch and acceleration, Bühl can wriggle her way through a sea of defenders and forcing opposition to resort to fouls to stop her. These qualities also make her an excellent ball carrier, who can progress possession and help her side gain valuable territory over the opponent.
Bühl forms a great duo with her Bayern teammate Lea Schuller, often setting up goals for Schuller, and they will be key for Germany in the tournament.
Giulia Gwinn (23, Germany/Bayern Munich, Fullback/Wide Midfielder)
The “Young Player of the Tournament” at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup is back fit and ready to have an impact on another international tournament. While Gwinn’s rise to the pinnacle was swift, an unfortunate ACL injury saw her miss a year of football but she is back balling again.
Another Freiburg player who joined Bayern Munich and has gone to become an integral part of the side. Gwinn has turned into a swiss army knife. A right sided wide midfielder primarily, she has been deployed on both sides and in multiple positions for both club and country.
Gwinn is a very technically sound player, who is excellent on either ends of the pitch. She has the on-ball qualities to be an able creator and an important part in the possession game of the team. The range and weight on her passes mixed with her vision allow her to create chances for her team. She has a wonderful right foot and her crossing is excellent. She has the skill and the speed to get past the opposition. She is great at attacking the box from the far side as well, allowing her to score goals and has set-pieces in her repertoire.
Gwinn is tenacious without the ball and solid in physical duels and 1v1 defensive situations. She reads the game really well and has an excellent engine, allowing her to romp up and down the flank to provide support on the overlap/underlap. Her tactical awareness often sees her being used in an inverted role when playing as the left back. Her on and off-ball qualities sees her transition from defence to midfield to attack almost seamlessly, fitting the mold of the modern fullback.
She is the complete package as a player.
Lena Lattwein (22, Germany/Wolfsburg, Midfielder)
One of my personal favorite things to watch this season, was the Lena-Lena double pivot for Wolfsburg. Arriving from Hoffenheim at the start of 2021-22, Lattwein quickly established herself as an important player for Stroot’s side.
Playing alongside Oberdorf, who is one of the biggest talent in WoSo and arguably one of the most complete players, has allowed Lattwein to shine while doing things she is great at. The duo works brilliantly in tandem both on and off the ball, providing defensive coverage, ball progression and control and dynamism in possession.
Lattwein is quality on the ball. She is safe in possession and offers good progression with her passing. Her positioning to provide support is brilliant. She regularly shows up for the ball during the buildup and progression phases. The range, weight and execution of her passes is really good. She offers dynamism with her positioning and runs from midfield. She doesn’t slack off without the ball and covers a lot of ground. Her game sense is excellent, allowing her to read passes and disrupt opposition attacks.
She is competing with the likes of Lohmann, Magull, Dabritz and Dallmann for a spot in the lineup and while all these players are more of an creative presence on the field, Lattwein can help Germany have more control and safety in possession while adding defensive solidity to see out games.
Laura Freigang (23, Germany/Eintracht Frankfurt, Forward)
Germany squad is filled with attacking talent. They are spoiled for choice in the forward department. Freigang has established herself as a reliable goalscorer ever since joining Frankfurt 4 years ago. She has scored 10+ goals in each of the last 4 seasons and her overall game has improved significantly.
One thing that has stood with Freigang since her youth days is her exceptional eye for goal. Her awareness in the box, the use of subtle movements to create separation and her anticipation allows her to gain an edge over the opposition. The creative side of her game has improved in recent years but her linkup play has been good. She receives very well with her back to goal and lays it off for her teammates. She offers good aerial threat as well.
Without the ball, Freigang doesn’t slack off. She presses well, forcing opposition into mistakes. The 2015 Bronze Fritz-Walter medal will likely be second choice behind Lea Schuller but could provide Germany viable option from the bench.
Tabea Waßmuth (26, Germany/Wolfsburg, Winger)
Waßmuth fit Wolfsburg like a glove. Her synergy with Roord in attack allowed her to have one of her most productive seasons to date, scoring 24 goals in all club competitions. She lit up the European stage by scoring 10 goals in her first ever UWCL campaign.
Waßmuth is an extremely quick and direct forward who is positionally flexible to fill in as a winger or a striker. Her best comes when she is given the license to drift centrally from those wide positions. She is extremely quick, capable of beating players for pace and the timing of her runs is excellent. From wide areas, she loves to drive towards byline from where she can cut the ball back.
At Wolfsburg, her synchronized movements with Roord saw her attack the box unmarked, when the Dutch dropped off. In the box, her reaction is exceptional, as she is able pounce on any loose balls and turn them goal-wards. Waßmuth is on a very hot streak, everything she touches is turning to goals and Germany will be hoping she can bring that magic to national team.
Sara Holmgaard (23, Denmark/Turbine Potsdam, Left Back)
Talented? Twins? Double Trouble.
Sara Holmgaard is a rare commodity in a market that lacks natural left-backs. The left-footed player is defensively astute. She excels in her 1v1 duels and is great at timing her challenges, getting the best of her opponent frequently. Her defensive positioning is great, allowing her to disrupt opposition attack by intercepting passes and recover possession for her side by picking up loose balls. In attack is where Sara can get even better. She has good delivery on her crosses but there is room for improvement in 1v1 in the attacking third. In possession, Sara is safe and progressive on the ball. She is a very able ball carrier and has showcased good range to find players from deep positions.
As Denmark deploy wingbacks in their systems, who are tasked with chance creation, Sara faces stiff competition from Sofie Svava, who is naturally more attacking but nonetheless Sara has shown quality to be able to fill in whenever called upon and for teams searching for a LB in the market, Sara Holmgaard should be on every such list.
Karen Holmgaard (23, Denmark/Turbine Potsdam, Midfielder)
The other half and dare I say the slightly more recognized half of the Holmgaard twins, Karen Holmgaard, is a midfield maestro. The 2019 Danish Talent of the Year, Karen has garnered praise for her performances and abilities from teammates and fans alike.
Karen is a very tidy midfielder, who can play as in a box-to-box role or as the more defensive midfielder. She is excellent at providing the shielding presence and ground coverage in defensive situations. She is really good at closing down opposition players and courtesy of her long limbs she is great at clawing back possession. Being good in the air makes her a threat on attacking and defensive set-pieces as well.
In possession she is offers herself frequently during the buildup phases and moves the ball forwards to her teammate. She has very good distribution over medium and long ranges, making her adept at switching play from deep and being good under pressure, makes her a viable passing option at all times. Her spatial and tactical understanding allows for her to provide support wherever needed by appearing as the free player.
Karen will be key for Denmark to establish control in the midfield and after making ripples with her talent earlier, it might be the time she makes big waves now.
Katherine Kühl (18, Denmark/Nordsjælland, Midfielder)
Kühl is widely regarded as one of the best Danish talents among fans and journalists alike. Her performances and maturity belies her age has seen her draw comparisons with national team captain and one of the best player in the world, Pernille Harder.
Kühl is an interior in a midfield three and can play equally well on either side. She is exceptionally talented on the ball. Her silky close control, feathery first touch, quick acceleration and ambidexterity, enable her to take on players and beat them with ease. Despite her age, it’s extremely difficult to get the ball off of her as she carries it. Her vision is exceptional and her execution on these high risk-high reward passes is brilliant as well, making her an adept chance creator from settled possession.
A trait that stands out the most about Kuhl is her exceptional body orientation when receiving the ball. This immediately gives her an edge over the opponent, allowing her to turn away from incoming challenges. For all her prowess in possession, she doesn’t slack off defensively and always puts in a shift.1
Signe Bruun (24, Denmark/Lyon, Striker)
The breakthrough Danish player of the year in 2017, Signe Bruun had the world at her feet. She scored goals for fun and then unfortunately an ACL interrupted her progress but the feeling when she came back to score the winner against Arsenal to help PSG qualify was beyond words.
Scoring goals was Bruun’s bread and butter, her record of 62 goals in 89 appearance at Fortuna Hjørring would agree as well. She has great instincts in the box, quickly adjusting her position to get the shots off. She is great at playing off the shoulders of the last defender and at running the channels. She isn’t just a fox in the box but also has qualities that allow her to link play and create opportunities for her teammates either via crossing or passing. She is a dominant force aerially, having good stature and jump and hang time in the air.
Injuries have been very unkind to Bruun, as her time at Man United on loan was hindered with injuries as well but when fit she knows how to score a goal and hopefully she is all fueled up to go vroom-vroom at the Euros!
Sheila García (25, Spain/Atletico Madrid, Winger/Fullback)
After being a key part of the Rayo Vallecano side for 5 years, Sheila Garcia moved to Atletico Madrid last season and has proved to be a very handy asset for both club and country.
Naturally a winger, Sheila Garcia can do a job on either end of the pitch and has been used in various roles. She is quality on the ball and has got the speed and the engine to run down the flank tirelessly. She is a very good ball carrier and while her crossing is decent it can improve further. She is excellent at combining with her teammates and providing supporting runs in the final third of the pitch. Her understanding of the spaces to attack is great. As is generally the trend, she has the quality on the ball with good close control. She has
Her pace comes in handy in defensive situations as well, allowing her to keep up with quick wingers. She reads the play well and is quick to react to loose ball situations. While she will be down the pecking order but Sheila Garcia provides flexibility and fluidity that can add a different dimension for Spain in attack.
Olga Carmona (21, Spain/Real Madrid, Left Winger/Left back)
The Spanish golden generation has produced some absolute gems. Olga Carmona is another in the long list of players coming through. Naturally a winger, Olga is an incessant ball of energy, who looks committed to run until the very last ounce of energy in her body. She has an incredible engine.
Olga is an excellent crosser of the ball, she was regarded as the “girl with golden left foot” while at her time in Sevilla due to the sheer control and precision on her crossing. Blessed with incredible pace, she can go past opposition players with ease and drive the possession forwards. This quality makes her really threatening with her ball carries. She loves to drive towards the byline and put in a cross or play a dangerous cutback into the box. She is excellent at providing support on the overlap, preferring to go on the outside of the opposition fullback, either with her dribbling or by playing quick 1-2s with a teammate.
Off the ball, Olga uses her pace to recover from precarious positions and keep the quick forwards in check. She likes to engage the opponent and sometimes gives away foul in her proclivity to attempt tackles. While not the most physically dominant presence, she uses her body really well to shield possession and draw fouls.
Olga (an anagram for goal) is clutch as well, stepping up when the moment demands it.2 She offers a good option for Spain at left back.
Amaiur Sarriegui (21, Spain/Real Sociedad, Striker)
For Amaiur maybe being at the Euros was destiny after all. After not being selected the first two times, Amaiur has made her way into the Spanish side following yet another unfortunate injury in the squad.
In a team that had no real recognized striker after the injury to Jenni Hermoso, Amaiur exclusion raised questions. She was coming off the back of a splendid season where she scored 17 goals and was arguably one of the best strikers in Spain. This comes on the back of scoring 13 in 2020-21, where she went bonkers in the 2nd half of the season. Her performances for Spanish NT were solid as well, scoring 12 goals in 11 caps.
Amaiur offers fluidity and directness in attack. She is capable of playing off the right or through the middle. From out wide, she likes to drift inwards and attack those central spaces, working in tandem with the striker and the fullback. She is really good with her positioning, engaging the opposition defence and creating openings for her teammates to attack. She is on a hot streak in terms of her finishing quality, she is great at attacking the space in behind and getting into good positions to receive and shoot from. She is good when receiving under pressure, using her first touch to turn and hold possession in tight spaces in the box. She is serviceable in the air.
Her qualities on the ball and the directness, either playing through the middle as a reference point or from out wide on the right, give Spain something different that their forward options along with a potent goalscorer.
Sanni Franssi (27, Finland/Real Sociedad, Striker)
Franssi’s transfer to Real Sociedad came as a little surprise when it was announced in the summer of 2020. Franssi has scored goals wherever she has been in her career and has been integral to Natalia Arroyo’s Real Sociedad. She has scored 10 goals this season for Real Sociedad and has formed a very good partnership with Amaiur Sarriegui in attack.
Franssi’s best traits are her ability on the ball and her runs into the channel. She is a really good dribbler, capable of beating her marker in 1v1 situations. She combines this with her frame to keep hold of the possession when under pressure. She runs the channel very well and is good at manipulating opposition to create spaces in the box. When attacking the box, she quickly creates separation and escape the sights of the defender, presenting herself as a free option in the box. While not the quickest, she has can accelerate past her opponent gaining a yard of space.
At 174cm, her tall frame makes her a viable reference point and gives her team an option to go direct. She is really good with her back to goal serving as an outlet, holding up play and then laying it off to her teammate before turning and making a run in behind or playing a runner in behind. A physically dominant presence, she’s able to shrug off challenges pretty easily. Although Franssi hasn’t scored many goals for the national team so far, she helps the team in more ways than one.
Olga Ahtinen (24, Finland/Linköpings, Midfielder)
The 24 year-old Linköpings midfielder has grown in stature and importance in the last couple seasons. The right sided central midfielder is a very good two-way presence in the middle of the field and will probably grab attention from teams looking for a central midfielder who is comfortable in possession and contributes without the ball as well.
Ahtinen is a great blend of quality on and off the ball. She is a brilliant progressive passer, who is excellent at combining with her teammates in the final third. She can execute passes to feet or into space with perfect weight, accuracy and timing. A good ball carrier from midfield, she likes to drive forwards with the ball before weighing her options in the attacking third. Her distribution over short range is crisp and the right footed midfielder has demonstrated accuracy over medium and long range as well, allowing her teams to quickly get in behind opposition defences.
She puts in the hard yards without the ball, pressing the opposition, doing her defensive duties and helping the side out. She is quick to react to loose ball situations and her good positioning helps recover possession. A good tackler and reader of the game, she can disrupt opposition play. She has packed a goalscoring punch as well this season with her long range shots. She presents herself as a shooting option at the edge of the box frequently.
MULTIPLE NUTMEG ALERT!
You like nutmegs? Well here are three of them in one single move courtesy of Caroline Graham Hansen.
Read in detail about Katherine Kuhl (& 2 other Scandinavian talents)
Read in detail about Olga Carmona