“I’m still very ambitious”

Svenja Huth on her 299 Women’s Bundesliga appearances so far – and her excitement about making many more.

Die Spielerin Svenja Huth des VfL Wolfsburg beim Training.

When VfL Wolfsburg host 1. FC Köln on Matchday 20 of the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga on Friday 3 May (kick-off 18:30 CEST), for one member of the team it will be an extra special occasion: Svenja Huth is set to make her 300th league appearance, having chalked up 299 so far for VfL, Turbine Potsdam and 1. FFC Frankfurt. Ahead of the landmark occasion, the She-Wolves captain discussed starting out in the Bundesliga, her aims for the coming year and her own personal development.

Svenja Huth, the match against Köln could be your 300th outing in the league. Were you aware that this milestone was coming up?

Svenja: “I’ve talked about it at some point so I knew it could be soon, but I wasn’t aware it could come around in the Köln game. It’s obviously all the better being a home game too.”

Can you still remember your very first Bundesliga match on 2 December 2007?

Svenja: “Yes, I was at 1. FFC Frankfurt and we played away at Saarbrücken. I was substituted on at half-time because Kerstin Garefrekes got injured. It had been a dream come true for me ever since I started playing football as a little girl. It was a fantastic feeling to make my Bundesliga debut alongside such renowned players and it made me want even more.”

You recently extended your contract here by a further year. What are your objectives in that period?

Svenja: “I’ve still got very ambitious aims, just like the club itself. We want to win the cup this season, and have another successful campaign next year. In concrete terms, that means lifting a trophy at the end of the season. I want to be ambitious until it’s time for me to hang up my boots. With that in mind, I’ll be raring to go in the new season after the summer break. I feel great, both in terms of my private life and my football, which is why I want to stay here for at least another year to achieve my aims.”

What’s your secret to still enjoying the game after playing for so many years?

Svenja: “It’s important that you feel good and have fun. I had a serious injury when I tore my cruciate ligament in 2013. Up until then I was still working a separate job as well, but wasn’t able to give 100 percent to either. I think maybe I was tired, which is how the injury happened. That experience showed me that I wanted to stay on the path I was on with football, so I went all in. I do everything I can to be at my peak physically. My family help ground me when I need to recharge the batteries. I want to extend and enjoy my playing career for as long as I can.”

Despite focusing on football, you’ve still managed to complete a degree in sports management. Are you currently doing any other ‘extra-curricular’ activities?

Svenja: “I’m doing a course in finance. I think it's good to take a break from football and to think about other things – both professionally and in my free time. It helps clear my head.”