Tuesday's final group stage match against France was the first time Birgit Prinz started an international game on the bench since March 2009. The woman who shaped German football for sixteen years, and won so many titles, has been relegated to watching the action from the sidelines.

As the match went on - and Germany kept on scoring goals - it was clear that Prinz wasn't going to be brought on. After the game, when asked why this was the case coach Sylvia Neid told reporters, “So that you couldn't write that she had played for ten minutes and didn't score. That wouldn't have helped her.”

The comment typifies how sensitive the team has become on the issue. Other senior players like Nadia Angerer and Inka Grings have voiced their disapproval of the media coverage on Prinz's plight.

Out of form

Prinz's drop in form this year is notable - she is yet to score this year for the national team. She has seemed slow on her feet and has linked up poorly in attacking moves with other players.

Neid's decision to relegate Prinz to the bench is understandable. Winning a tournament is all about selecting players in form. It was no surprise to see Prinz's replacement against Nigeria, Inka Grings, play an important role in the only goal of the match. She is streets ahead of Prinz right now.

Still, two group games doesn't seem much time to prove your worth, especially if you have a wealth of experience behind you, like Prinz.

She has scored for Germany more times than any other player. With 128 goals, she is way ahead of the goal champion in the men's game, Gerd Müller, who netted 68.

The competition never sleeps

But Prinz's recent fall to the mere rank of mortal player is not just her own doing. It also is due to the considerable depth within Silvia Neid's squad.

There are plenty of other attacking players to choose from. Celia Okoyino da Mbabi and Grings are combining well. The team's midfield has already shown its ability to score crucial goals when needed. Much-hyped striker Alexandra Popp is not really getting any game time at all.

Some German football fans will be reminded of the case of Michael Ballack. Since missing last year's World Cup due to injury, a new group of attacking midfield players has more than made up for his absence. Now, barely anyone could imagine Ballack coming back into the national team.

Birgit Prinz has already announced that this World Cup will mark the end of her national team career. Whether she plays again or not, she can help the squad immensely with her experience until the tournament concludes. Then, the time seems right for her to hand over the reins.

Author: Andre Leslie
Editor: Michael Lawton