Joelle Wedemeyer expresses that Wolfsburg's unique genetic makeup is crucial in maintaining their dominance in the women's game.
With six of the quartet-finalists in this season's UEFA Women's Champions League already decided, VfL Wolfsburg and Roma face off for the last spot in the playoffs when they clash this week.
In a rather monotonous group stage marked by declining spectatorship, the leading teams in each section have already booked their spots in the knockout stages, except in Group A. There, the two-time European champions, VfL Wolfsburg, are in a precarious position, relying on a win over the lower-ranked Italian champions AS Roma to boost their chances of making it to the last eight.
Level on points with Roma heading into their penultimate group stage encounter, Wolfsburg are behind on their head-to-head record, having lost 1-0 to the Italians in Rome. A defeat in Wolfsburg on Wednesday at the AOK Stadion would leave Roma in a commanding position, requiring only a victory over debutants Galatasaray in their final match to clinch the top spot in the group, at the expense of the German side.
Two years ago, the teams met in the group phase, with Wolfsburg emerging victorious 4-2. Although eight-time champions Lyon had already sealed their spot in the last eight by winning all their previous matches, either Wolfsburg or Lyon will be eliminated at the end of this month if they finish level on points.
If Wolfsburg and Roma end up tied, the team with the better head-to-head record will progress. After losing 1-0 in Rome, a two-goal margin of victory over the Italians in Wolfsburg would secure Wolfsburg's advancement, positioning them favorably for their final group stage clash against Lyon.
Wolfsburg struggled in the group stage, losing their first two games - also at home to Lyon - without finding the back of the net. It took a rare headed goal from defender Joelle Wedemeyer in Istanbul to spark their campaign, eventually winning 5-0 both home and away against Galatasaray.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday's crucial clash against Roma, Wedemeyer expressed her sentiments, "obviously, we want to win this match and we want to be in a good position. That's our goal. If we could win by two goals, we would already be through before the final match. Our primary mission is to secure a win in this match, but we're also aware that we still have that crucial encounter against Lyon. We have a chance to qualify through that game too."
Wedemeyer has been with the club for over a decade. She was part of the squad that lifted the UEFA Women's Champions League trophy in 2014, albeit as a non-playing member. Loyal to the club, she has signed multiple contract extensions, despite receiving offers from other clubs.
Calling her heart "decisive," she told me, "it was definitely a significant consideration whenever renewing my contract with Wolfsburg. I was aware that I could have played for other clubs, even lead them. What was most important for me was the quality of the training we have here at Wolfsburg and the opportunity to continue playing with the world's best players."
"The high level of the team and the fact that I was training with the best players in the world made it increasingly challenging to entertain thoughts of playing elsewhere. As I grew older, I was comfortable with seasons where I played more or fewer minutes. I could build upon it."
"The club's vibrant conditions and infrastructure, as well as my personal connections to the city, made staying here more and more appealing. I have a family and friends, and a life here, creating a close bond to Wolfsburg."
Apart from her passion for soccer, Wedemeyer has a passion for art. Earlier this year, a painting she created of a green flamingo against an abstract background was displayed at the Wolfsburg Art Museum and sold for $1175, benefiting children with cancer who were recovering with their families at the Haus am Bernsteinsee.
Talking about her painting, Wedermeyer shared, "I started painting at a young age, thanks to my parents, who inspired me. The idea for the green flamingo, 'Flaming(Joe)', stemmed from a training camp. I mentioned in jest that I would bring a painting to exhibit the following year during our stay at the hotel."
"We discussed it further at the club, and somebody suggested displaying it in the club's office. That was where the concept originated. Someone suggested painting a flamingo, and I thought it was an odd choice for 'The House of the Wolves!'"
"I also thought the flamingo's skinny legs, which fit neatly into that characterization, was an appropriate touch. I decided to paint it in green, to represent Wolfsburg's colors. I'm also quite pleased that it sold for an impressive sum for charity."
Wolfsburg and Lyon have been dominant forces in European women's soccer, reaching an astonishing four finals between 2013 and 2020. Their participation in the later stages of the competition was once a given, but the increasing investment in women's soccer by soccer's financial powerhouses has made it more challenging for Wolfsburg to compete at the highest level.
"Definitely, the scenery has shifted," acknowledges Wedemeyer. "These days, there are numerous larger clubs with substantial funding at their disposal. Consequently, they can acquire top-notch athletes. This situation creates challenges for Wolfsburg in retaining their star players and even acquiring new ones with similar caliber."
"However, I believe the club and sporting director Ralf Kellermann are doing an excellent job in building a formidable team with promising youngsters. Moreover, we have senior players like Svenja Huth and Alex Popp, with their stellar careers, who can inspire confidence in the rest of the squad."
Sadly, last season, Wolfsburg could not secure a spot in the group stage, and after an impressive run of reaching the last eight for eleven consecutive years, the women's team is on the brink of missing out on qualification for two consecutive years. "The spirit of Wolfsburg remains unaltered," assures Wedemeyer. "Our desire to win is as strong as ever, and we still carry that self-assurance within us. The composition of the team may be changing with arrivals and departures, but we remain the same club, determined to triumph in every encounter. Naturally, our aim is to qualify and maintain our presence even post-group stage."
- Joelle Wedemeyer, a loyal member of the German women's national team and VfL Wolfsburg, expressed her desire to win their upcoming UEFA Women's Champions League match against Roma to secure their spot in the playoffs.
- Ralf Kellermann, the sporting director of VfL Wolfsburg, has been instrumental in building a formidable team with promising youngsters, alongside senior players like Svenja Huth and Alex Popp, who can inspire confidence in the squad.
- Two years ago, VfL Wolfsburg had a successful encounter against AS Roma in the group phase of the UEFA Women's Champions League, winning 4-2, with defender Joelle Wedemeyer contributing to their campaign with a single goal.
- Roma and VfL Wolfsburg have been reluctant competitors in the UEFA Women's Champions League, with each team looking to secure a spot in the playoffs by finishing in the top two spots of their respective groups.
- After a disappointing season that saw VfL Wolfsburg missing out on the group stage of the UEFA Women's Champions League, Tommie Stroot, the current coach, has been working closely with the team to improve their performance and secure qualification for the upcoming season.
