Marozsan giving her all - THE GRADUATE
 |
| Getty Images |
One name springs to mind when you think of top German women footballers: Dzsenifer Marozsan. The 24-year-old became the Bundesliga's youngest-ever player when she made her debut at the tender age of 15 - a record she still holds to this day - and also shone in diverse youth teams for Germany. At the 2008 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in New Zealand, Marozsan enchanted fans and pundits with her dynamism and creativity, before lifting the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup two years later. She was also a member of the Germany squad that were beaten finalists at the 2012 edition in Japan.
What are her fondest memories of the competitions? "Obviously winning the World Cup in 2010 in Germany," Marozsan told FIFA.com in an exclusive interview. "That was definitely the highlight. We were also very successful in Japan, apart from the final. We conceded our only goal of the entire tournament in that game, which was obviously frustrating. I have nice memories of both tournaments. They were both very enjoyable and I'll always remember them in a positive light."
In the build-up to Japan 2012, Marozsan, who will turn out for Olympique Lyon next season, was billed as the star of the German team. The technically-gifted midfielder lived up to that reputation at the U-20 global showpiece. She was the hub of the side, dictating the pace of games at will, playing key passes and providing numerous magical moments. And although it was ultimately not enough to help Germany win the title, she made her mark at the competition and received the adidas Golden Ball as the best player.
Stepping up to the senior side
"Obviously it's an honour and a crowning moment for the whole team," the midfielder said. "We all had a great tournament in Japan and the fact I then got an award makes me proud. But I'd have preferred to have had the World Cup Trophy in my hands."
Naturally enough, Marozsan's ability had also caught the eye of Silvia Neid, head coach of the senior team. Three months after the triumph in Germany she was called up to the side and made her full international debut in October 2010 against Australia, a milestone that marked the logical next step for the Budapest-born player.
"It's the path you have to take in order to make it into the seniors," she said. "That's why I'm very happy that I played in every age category from the U-15s to the U-20s. I owe the fact that I was able to make it into the first team to playing in the youth sides." Marozsan won the DFB Cup twice (2011 and 2014) and the UEFA Women's Champions League once (2015) with 1. FFC Frankfurt, and she has no doubts that participating at an U-20 Women's World Cup can serve as a springboard to a career.
Tournament experience crucial for development
"The tough nature of such international competitions is hugely important in order to develop as a player," she explained. "On top of that, you gain a lot of tournament experience. A tournament is always completely different to a Bundesliga season, for example. You play a lot of games in a short space of time. If you make the step up into the senior national team then that experience can be very important. In terms of the schedule, a [senior] Women's World Cup is pretty much identical. The level is much higher, but the rhythm of games is the same."
The 2013 European champion speaks from experience. She was absent from the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011™ due to a ligament tear in her right knee, but played in five matches at the 2015 edition, only missing Germany's opening group game against Côte d'Ivoire and the play-off for third place.
Given just how much Marozsan has achieved already it is no wonder she is considered a role model, with many players eager to follow in her footsteps. "For me personally it has always helped to enjoy it, that's the most important thing," she said by way of advice to young girls starting out in the game. "You should never lose sight of your objective, always do your best, believe in yourself and never give up. I've always taken things as they come, and with that attitude you can achieve a great deal."