How to stream the Matildas’ Paris Olympics group B opener against Germany

The Matildas begin their quest for an Olympic medal in a crunch group B opening pool game against Germany. Here’s how to stream it.

Mary Fowler, Tony Gustavsson and Sam Kerr. Photos: Getty Images

The Matildas are surely Australia’s favourite sporting team right now and there will be huge interest in their campaign at the Paris Olympics.

The Aussie side is surprisingly ranked just 12th in the latest FIFA standings, but team members have talked excitedly about their medal hopes in Paris.

The team affectionately known as the Tillies finished fourth at last year’s World Cup on home soil, a result they matched at the Tokyo Games in 2021.

Having knocked out Great Britain 4-3 in extra-time in the quarter-finals at those Olympics, Australia suffered a 1-0 semi-final defeat to Sweden before a wild 4-3 loss to the United States in the bronze medal game.

The Aussies will be aiming for a spot on the podium this time around and we have all the information right here so you won’t miss a goal, save or tackle in the upcoming Games.

Captain Steph Catley and head coach Tony Gustavsson will lead the team in Paris. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

When are the 2024 Olympic Games?

After Covid heavily impacted the 2020 edition in Japan, this year’s Olympics will start as planned with the Opening Ceremony on Friday, July 26 (July 27 AEST) at the Jardins du Trocadero (Gardens of the Trocadero) on the Seine. More than 10,000 athletes are slated to compete in 32 sports before the Closing Ceremony on August 11.

When is football on at the Paris Olympics?

Football actually kicks off prior to the Opening Ceremony, with the men’s tournament commencing on July 24 and the women’s the following day. The semi-finals are being played on August 6 in Marseille and Lyon, with the gold medal match in Paris on August 10.

How to watch football at the Paris Olympics

Channel 9 is the broadcast host of this year’s Games, the first time the network has had Olympic rights since the 2012 edition in London, when it shared them with Foxtel.

Nine paid $305 million to secure the exclusive TV rights from Paris through to the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane.

The network is using a number of platforms to show the Olympics, including the main 9 and 9 HD channels, 9Gem, the 9Now app and Stan Sports.

There will be a staggering 40 HD streams on 9Now so Matildas fans will have few troubles watching games for free, apart from the coffee-inducing kick-off times (more on that below).

Who are the Matildas playing at the Olympics?

The women’s tournament is split into three groups of four nations. Australia has been drawn in the group of death in Group B, alongside heavyweights the US and Germany, along with Zambia.

The host nation is in Group A along with New Zealand, Canada and Colombia. Group C features Spain, Japan, Nigeria and Brazil.

The top two teams in each group, along with the two highest-ranked third-placed sides, progress to the knockout quarter-finals.

Mary Fowler (left) and Hayley Raso (right) will make their second Olympic appearance in Paris, while Cortnee Vine (centre) will make her Games debut. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Matildas schedule at the Olympic Games

Australia vs Germany (all times AEST)

Friday, July 26, 3am. Stade de Marseille, Marseille, France

Australia vs Zambia

Monday, July 29, 3am. Stade de Nice, Nice, France

Australia vs United States

Thursday, August 1, 3am. Stade de Marseille, Marseille, France

Is Sam Kerr playing at the Olympics?

Sadly, not. The Matildas’ biggest star and the all-time leading scorer in Australian football ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament during a training camp with her club side Chelsea in early January. While there was some uncertainty around her Olympic participation, there was never enough time for her to recover and the 30-year-old was officially ruled out in May.

Sam Kerr will sadly miss the tournament with a knee injury. (Photo by IZHAR KHAN / AFP)

Who is in the Matildas’ Olympic squad?

An 18-player squad was picked for the Olympics on June 4, led by captain Steph Catley.

There are eight players set to become the first Australians to compete at three Olympics, Catley, vice-captain Emily van Egmond, goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Caitlin Foord, Alanna Kennedy, Clare Polkinghorne and Tameka Yallop.

Kyra Cooney-Cross, Mary Fowler, Katrina Gorry, Michelle Heyman, Teagan Micah, and Hayley Raso will appear at their second Olympics.

Rounding out the squad to make their Olympic debuts in Paris are Clare Hunt, Kaitlyn Torpey, Cortnee Vine and Clare Wheeler.

Will the Matildas medal at the Olympics?

After making the top four in the past two major tournaments, the Tillies are right in the mix. What makes their bid so difficult is the unfortunate hand they were dealt with the draw.

There’s a strong chance the Matildas will need to get results against either fourth-ranked Germany or fifth-ranked America just to get out of the group.

It’s an uphill climb and if we were a betting person — which we’re not — we suspect the Aussie side will fall short in its bid for a first Olympic medal.