German women's football great Fitschen dies at age 56

Doris Fitschen, DFB Overall Coordinator "Women in Football", observes the training of the women's national team on the DFB campus. German women's football great Doris Fitschen has died after a long illness at age 56, the domestic federation DFB said on Sunday, citing her family. Arne Dedert/dpa

German women's football great Doris Fitschen has died after a long illness at age 56, the domestic federation DFB said on Sunday, citing her family.

"I am shocked and very saddened by the death of Doris. Our thoughts are with her family, all her relatives and close friends,‘ DFB president Bernd Neuendorf said in a statement.

"Doris was one of the defining figures of football in Germany. As a player, she was a leader, a strategist, she had presence, dominance and aura, others could take their cue from her."

Midfielder Fitschen won 144 caps between 1986 and 2001 and helped the team win a first international title at Euro 1989. She added three more continental titles and won Olympic bronze at the Sydney 2000 Games.

At club level she won three national titles and cups each with Siegen and FFC Frankfurt.

Fitschen was later general manager of the women's national team 2009-2016 and last worked for the DFB, developing and implementing a women's football strategy.

Neuendorf named Fitschen "a role model of empathy and dedication." DFB secretary general Heike Ullrich added that "we will not forget Doris and will continue her heartfelt project Women in Football and Women's Football in her spirit."

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