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Less than three weeks before the official end of the winter break, clubs playing in the German Women's Bundesliga are finalizing preparations for the second half of the season. Having returned to icy-cold Germany from the warmer climes of Turkey last Saturday, 1. FFC Frankfurt – currently occupying third place in the league – were glad to have been able to add new signing Kim Kulig to the rooming list.
Still recovering from her cruciate ligament rupture sustained in Germany's ill-starred FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 quarter-final match against Japan, and largely confined to the gym for individual rehabilitation, 21-year-old Kulig hadn't seen much of her team-mates following her move from Hamburg SV to Frankfurt in the summer. And while she can't join proper training just yet, she is very happy to be "back in the pack." In this exclusive interview with DFB.de women's football expert Annette Seitz, Kim talks about training, getting better, and come-backs.
DFB.de: Kim, what are your impressions from 1. FFC Frankfurt's training camp in Turkey?
Kim Kulig: It was okay, actually. I couldn't really train with the others, so I did a lot of jogging instead – I can do a full 40 minutes now! – and spent a great deal of time in the gym building up muscle. But even so, it was just great to be back."
DFB.de: After your transfer from Hamburg to Frankfurt, how important was this training camp with your new team?
Kulig: Very important! Obviously, I'm dying to be back on the pitch but at the same time I know I have to be patient, and that there's much more work to do before I can have a full training session. But just being part of the team again was great. It's a bit of a new beginning, I've got to get back into the rhythm. I really can't wait to be back playing football.
DFB.de: And can you tell us when that'll be?
Kulig: I might just be ready for regular training by early March, but like I said, easy does it. It's hard to be patient when you see the other girls chasing balls, sweating it out on the pitch. But the good thing is I can see some progress.
DFB.de: So everything's going to plan?
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Kulig: Yes, I'd say so, even if I've had to learn thinking on a day-by-day basis. First, I was allowed on the stationary bike only, now I can go for runs, and in a little while I'll play real football again.
DFB.de: Your team's return to the Bundesliga is scheduled for 26 February at home against Lok Leipzig. What are Frankfurt's chances, fighting as you are on three fronts?
Kulig: I think we've got everything going for us in the UEFA Women's Champions League and the German FA Cup. And I hope we'll make up for lost ground in the Bundesliga, too. Much depends on how our competitors fare, but we've worked hard in training and have every reason to be confident and look forward to the second half of the season.
created by dfb
[bild1]
Less than three weeks before the official end of the winter break, clubs playing in the German Women's Bundesliga are finalizing preparations for the second half of the season. Having returned to icy-cold Germany from the warmer climes of Turkey last Saturday, 1. FFC Frankfurt – currently occupying third place in the league – were glad to have been able to add new signing Kim Kulig to the rooming list.
Still recovering from her cruciate ligament rupture sustained in Germany's ill-starred FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 quarter-final match against Japan, and largely confined to the gym for individual rehabilitation, 21-year-old Kulig hadn't seen much of her team-mates following her move from Hamburg SV to Frankfurt in the summer. And while she can't join proper training just yet, she is very happy to be "back in the pack." In this exclusive interview with DFB.de women's football expert Annette Seitz, Kim talks about training, getting better, and come-backs.
DFB.de: Kim, what are your impressions from 1. FFC Frankfurt's training camp in Turkey?
Kim Kulig: It was okay, actually. I couldn't really train with the others, so I did a lot of jogging instead – I can do a full 40 minutes now! – and spent a great deal of time in the gym building up muscle. But even so, it was just great to be back."
DFB.de: After your transfer from Hamburg to Frankfurt, how important was this training camp with your new team?
Kulig: Very important! Obviously, I'm dying to be back on the pitch but at the same time I know I have to be patient, and that there's much more work to do before I can have a full training session. But just being part of the team again was great. It's a bit of a new beginning, I've got to get back into the rhythm. I really can't wait to be back playing football.
DFB.de: And can you tell us when that'll be?
Kulig: I might just be ready for regular training by early March, but like I said, easy does it. It's hard to be patient when you see the other girls chasing balls, sweating it out on the pitch. But the good thing is I can see some progress.
DFB.de: So everything's going to plan?
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Kulig: Yes, I'd say so, even if I've had to learn thinking on a day-by-day basis. First, I was allowed on the stationary bike only, now I can go for runs, and in a little while I'll play real football again.
DFB.de: Your team's return to the Bundesliga is scheduled for 26 February at home against Lok Leipzig. What are Frankfurt's chances, fighting as you are on three fronts?
Kulig: I think we've got everything going for us in the UEFA Women's Champions League and the German FA Cup. And I hope we'll make up for lost ground in the Bundesliga, too. Much depends on how our competitors fare, but we've worked hard in training and have every reason to be confident and look forward to the second half of the season.
