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World Cup

Knocking off USA would give Germany's Angerer memorable last World Cup

Paul Logothetis
Special for USA TODAY Sports
Germany goaltender Nadine Angerer, yellow jersey, and teammates Celia Sasic, right, and Leonie Maier celebrate after defeating France in the quarterfinals of the FIFA 2015 Women's World Cup.

MONTREAL -- Germany captain Nadine Angerer will remember her final World Cup with extra vigor if it means reaching the final at the expense of the United States.

Angerer, 36, has been dominant in goal in Canada, having saved the penalty against France that put the world's No. 1 team into the final four.

She announced before the World Cup that once Germany was out of the tournament, her international career would also be over.

For the Americans' stuttering attack, the road to Sunday's final goes through Angerer.

"Nadine is a gamer," USA forward Alex Morgan said on Monday from the Olympic Stadium, where she will line up against her Portland Thorns teammate.

"She's one of the best goalkeepers in the world, if not the best, and she has proved herself in the last tournaments and in this tournament. I think this match is going to be the biggest test for both goalkeepers."

One look at Angerer and you'd be hard-pressed to believe she possesses a jovial personality as she barks orders at her defenders with a menacing glare.

But off the field, Angerer has a love of hats, a joking character and a desire to one day buy a Volkswagen camper van to drive across Africa.

This combination has made her accessible to her teammates, to whom she has been a mentor and friend.

"Nadine is a very important player for us not only for her tremendous amount of experience but for her personality; she is a very happy person," Alexandra Popp said on Tuesday. "For us younger players she is always available to give you advice, to talk with. She's a goalie but she also gives us tips.

"During a tournament like this you can see the traits she has. She gives us confidence. If we mess up a little bit she is there and has our back. That shows what kind of personality she has that we can count on her."

The German national team has been counting on Angerer since she made her debut in 1996. Angerer had to show enormous patience as she backed up regular 'keeper Silke Rottenberg for the better part of a decade.

Rottenberg suffered a serious knee injury before the 2007 World Cup, finally paving the way for Angerer, and she excelled given the opportunity.

Germany defended its World Cup title as Angerer saved Brazil forward Marta's penalty kick in the final. Angerer didn't concede a goal for the entire tournament, a span of six games.

Since then, Angerer has helped Germany to two consecutive European Championships, including the 2013 final against Norway. Angerer saved a pair of penalty kicks in that final for Germany to win its sixth continental title in a row. The performance saw her capture the women's FIFA's Ballon d'Or, the first time a goalie has won the trophy, male or female.

But the Frankfurt native has decided this World Cup will be her last and coach Silvia Neid sounds like someone who would like to talk the veteran out of her decision.

"She's very important to us, on and off the pitch. How she lives her life, she's a great personality, my right-hand on the field," Neid said. "Often we sit together and talk about the state the team is in. We have a very close relationship.

"It's too bad she wants to retire, we will certainly miss her."

The Americans, ranked second, have scored seven goals in five games. Angerer is unlikely to help bolster those totals with a date in Sunday's final on the line.

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