Humm: I always give my all on the pitch
Everyone knows the feeling of having an ambition so important that you are prepared to give absolutely everything to realise it. The sensation is certainly familiar to Fabienne Humm, who has already been able to achieve the first part of her big dream – qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ with Switzerland.
“It was strange not being on the football pitch when it happened,” Humm told FIFA.com, recalling the moment her team’s place at this summer’s finals was confirmed. “We were already group leaders and could definitely have qualified for the World Cup in our next match. However, since Denmark versus Iceland was the next day [editor’s note: after Switzerland’s 9-0 thrashing of Israel], we watched the game together in Zurzach,” she added. “It was an indescribable feeling that brought us even closer together.”
Switzerland’s women will be taking part in a major tournament for the first time after leaving their northern European group rivals in their wake en route to qualification. The FC Zurich striker suggested several reasons why her side have performed as strongly as they have. “It definitely has something to do with the fact that several members of the squad play for top clubs overseas,” she explained. “Our coach is another reason. She's brought plenty of experience with her from Germany. We’re a good team, we like each other, and we’ve known each other and been playing together for a long time now. There are always one or two new additions to the squad, but the core remains the same,” Humm concluded.
A Swiss team with a German mentality
“Martina [Voss-Tecklenburg] believes in us and is able to motivate us,” the 28-year-old continued. “Thanks to the experience she gained during her playing career, she knows what it means to take part in a World Cup and what’s required for success. She's definitely instilled the German mentality: always seek to score one more goal, keep running and keep fighting.”
There is no doubt that Humm identifies with these virtues, adding: “I always give my all on the pitch.” What’s more, she is prepared to go into tackles even if they sometimes hurt and understands how to use her combative style to motivate the players around her, regardless of whether she is wearing a Switzerland or FC Zurich kit.
“I’ve gained international experience from the Champions League by playing for Zurich,” she explained, “so I know what it’s like to play in front of a large crowd. I’m also the FCZ captain and can bring that experience to the national team too. On the other hand there are things you learn from going up against top sides at international level. You suddenly realise that you’re really not that fast at all,” she admitted. “I take the skills and quick play I’ve learned from the national team back with me to FCZ and then try to react better in certain situations.”
The best could be yet to come
This international experience should pave the way for Humm to realise the second part of her great dream: to be part of her country’s World Cup squad. The administrative assistant is scaling back her normal working hours in a bid to prepare as best she can for this summer’s tournament in Canada.
“I play my football in Switzerland, so I’ve always got to give a little more than those players signed with overseas clubs,” she explained. “I’m now trying to reach peak fitness in time for the World Cup and continue to improve in every area, whether athletically, technically or mentally.”
Humm may even be able to add a third part to her dream and spring some surprises with her team during the competition in June. “I want to have a successful tournament with Switzerland,” she said. “Our chances of progressing from the group stages are definitely good. We’re playing against the world champions [Japan], so that’ll be crucial in showing us where we stand. We’ve got nothing to lose,” she insisted. “There’s no doubt that our coach will prepare us extremely well for the games against Cameroon and Ecuador. Our aim is to advance and qualify for the knockout stages, and that’s definitely an achievable goal.”