THE TIME: Ms. Lehmann, you played 31 international matches for Switzerland as a goalkeeper. Was one of them against Germany?
Kathrin Lehmann: Yes, that was my very first as Switzerland’s number 1. In Weil am Rhein.
TIME: Who did it turn out well for?
Lehmann: For Germany, of course! I always wanted Birgit Prinz not to score a goal for me. But after 33 minutes, the score was already 2-0 for Germany.
TIME: Is there a natural rivalry between Switzerland and Germany?
Lehmann: We have a very humorous and dynamic neighborly relationship with Germany. The Austrians are much closer to us in terms of mentality. Also because we make fun of the Germans together. They think they speak proper High German and laugh at our dialects. That’s why they come across as so incredibly arrogant. But of course we are incredibly proud when a Swiss is in the starting eleven in the Bundesliga.
