Thrust into the spotlight at the 2007 Women’s World Cup, the perennial reserve goalkeeper put in a virtuoso performance, going unbeaten for a world record 540 minutes during Germany’s victorious campaign that year.
In keeping a clean sheet for all six matches at the tournament in China, Angerer became the first goalkeeper, male or female, to play an entire World Cup Finals without conceding a goal.
“The whole tournament I wasn’t thinking about it because I was so much under pressure. I was just focusing on not making any mistakes,” Angerer told CNN’s Human to Hero series.
“But after the World Cup, it was like … OK cool, I broke this record! But it’s not that important for me. I’m more proud that we won the World Cup as a team.”
The feat was even more impressive given Germany’s opposition in the final — a Brazil side which had torn apart opposition defenses, scoring 17 goals en route to the final.
But they couldn’t find a way past Angerer, who repelled everything that came her way, including a penalty from the South American’s star striker Marta.
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“It was a perfect experience for me to go to the U.S. and adjust to a new system and a new way of playing soccer. I learned so many new things … it’s totally different compared to the game in Europe,” she says.
“My goalkeeping coach from the national team and my head coach, were both like: ‘Wow! You’ve developed so much.’ That makes me proud as well.
“That’s also my motivation that I always have the feeling to keep getting better and better … even if I’m quite old.”
Watching her dive around athletically on the Brisbane turf, it’s easy to envisage Angerer carrying on for several more years at the top level.
One day, she hopes to coach the next generation of keepers, but it seems that can be saved for later.
“I’m 36 and i feel better than ever, so there’s no reason to quit. Why should I? I feel good, I’m fit and most importantly, I like what I’m doing.”
