The national coach was obviously in a hurry to return to her quarters in Brentford in west London with her team – and tackle the quarter-finals.

"We would do well to prepare seriously for the opponent from 11 p.m.," explained Martina Voss-Tecklenburg shortly after the German team's 3-0 (1-0) win over Finland.

The DFB women quickly got over the meaningless last group game at the European Championships, all concentration is now on the first knockout game against Austria on Thursday.

“Not super brilliant”

"I didn't think today was super brilliant, but it was very, very serious.

It was passionate again,” summed up Voss-Tecklenburg on Saturday evening in Milton Keynes.

"Not everything went well today, but in the end we are in this group with nine points and 9-0 goals."

So after the final whistle she applauded her team on the sidelines, who at times struggled against the Finns who had already been eliminated but were eagerly defending.

Nevertheless, there were many satisfied faces on the German side - especially Nicole Anyomi, Laura Freigang and Sara Doorsoun.

The Eintracht Frankfurt trio made their European Championship debut.

And club colleague Sophia Kleinherne impressed as a left-back in her first starting XI of the tournament.

The national coach has used all 20 field players, which does not harm the internal climate.

"My gut feeling says you'll score a goal"

Kleinherne broke the spell with her first international goal (40th minute).

Popp with her third goal in the third game (48th) and Joker Anyomi (63rd) then scored in front of 20,721 spectators.

"I've been waiting for the season for a long time.

Now I've finally got the chance," said winger Anyomi, who is required in the DFB selection at the back right.

"I said to Nici this morning: My gut feeling tells me you'll score a goal," said Voss-Tecklenburg with a smile.

In the end, it was "hard work" for the record European champions, said Popp, who has now scored in each of the first three games.

As in the 4-0 win against Denmark and 2-0 against Spain, the DFB women did not concede a goal.

On Thursday, Germany at the Brentford Community Stadium are all about reaching the semi-finals.

"I think it's good that Austria is the next opponent, I find it exciting because a lot of them come from the Bundesliga," said midfielder Linda Dallmann from FC Bayern, who also played from the start at the European Championship for the first time.

The Austria team has 13 players who are under contract with a German first division club.

“We are looking forward to this neighborhood duel.

It's not going to be a stroll in any direction," said Voss-Tecklenburg.

"I still think we're a slight favourite."