Anna 
German football legend Doris Fitschen has passed away at the age of 56 after a long battle with illness, the German Football Association (DFB) confirmed on Saturday (March 16).
Fitschen was a pioneer in women’s football, making her national team debut at just 17 and scoring as a substitute. Over her career, she earned 144 caps for Germany, winning four European Championships and an Olympic bronze medal at the Sydney 2000 Games.
At the club level, she secured multiple German league titles with Frankfurt and Siegen before concluding her career in the United States with the Philadelphia Charge in 2001.
Following her retirement, Fitschen remained a vital figure in German football. From 2009 to 2016, she served as general manager of the women’s national team, overseeing their triumphs at two European Championships and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Since 2022, she had been leading the DFB’s women in football strategy.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin paid tribute to Fitschen, calling her “an inspiring leader and mentor.” DFB General Secretary Heike Ullrich also praised her impact, stating, “She became a role model for many, not only as a player but also as a person.”
In 2019, Fitschen was inducted into the German Hall of Fame, recognizing her extraordinary contributions to the sport. Reflecting on her passion for football, she once said, “The joy of the game, the fun of football. The opportunity to make a difference excites me.”
Her legacy will continue to inspire generations of players and fans.
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