The German women's national team departed for Lyon on Thursday, full of confidence that they will win their Nations League semi-final against France which would assure them of returning in summer for the Paris Olympics.
"You can see that they are looking forward to it," interim coach Horst Hrubesch said of his players. "We believe in our chance. I really hope that we will take it."
Defeat against France on Friday won't end Germany's hopes as in that case they would get a second chance on Wednesday in the match for third place against the loser of the other semi-final between World Cup winners Spain and the Netherlands.
France are directly qualified for the Paris Games as hosts, and two additional slots are available via the Nations League Finals.
Germany won gold at the Rio 2016 Games but failed to qualify for the next Games 2021 in Tokyo.
Returning to the Olympics would be a big boost for the Germans who went out in the group stage at last year's World Cup and had a stuttering start into the Nations League group stage.
"I don't think anyone would have believed three or four months ago that we would be where we are now," Hrubesch said.
"Now we have the chance to decide it ourselves. I believe that we will see a game against France in Lyon that is on an equal footing."
