News (engl.)

Germany’s women’s national team fell to a 4-1 defeat against Sweden at the Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich, in what was their third and final group stage at the UEFA Women’s EURO. As a result, head coach Christian Wück’s team have finished second in Group C, behind the Swedes. Jule Brand had put Germany ahead early on (7’), before Stina Blackstenius levelled for Sweden just five minutes later. Smilla Holmberg was then able to put the Blågult ahead in the 25th minute, before a straight red for Carlotta Wamser saw the DFB-Frauen reduced to ten players after just half an hour played. Fridolina Rolfö’s penalty added to Sweden’s lead (34’), before Lina Hurtig netted their fourth in the closing stages of the match (80’). The defeat saw Germany finish runners-up in Group C, and they will now face the winner of Group D in the quarter-finals in Basel on Saturday, 19th July (21:00 CEST). The other final Group C fixture saw Poland best Denmark 3-2. 

Head coach Christian Wück named an unchanged backline, with Ann-Katrin Berger in goal behind centre-backs Janina Minge and Rebecca Knaak. Sarai Linder began at left-back, while Wamser lined up on the right. Sjoeke Nüsken and Elisa Senß started in defensive midfield, with Wück making one change to his attacking midfielders. Laura Freigang replaced Linda Dallmann in the No.10 slot, with Brand at right wing and Klara Bühl on the left. Lea Schüller took up her usual position at centre-forward. Injured captain Giulia Gwinn, who was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament after picking up a knee injury in the opening match, joined her teammates on the bench to support. 

Sweden cancel out Brand’s opener 

Germany didn’t need long to record their first chance of the night, as Bühl broke down the left wing just 18 seconds after kick off. Her cutback to the top of the box was met by Brand, but her shot went straight into the arms of Sweden’s goalkeeper Jennifer Falk. A minute later, Schüller took aim with a volleyed attempt from outside the box, which only narrowly sailed past the right post. Sweden’s first chance came through captain Kosovare Asllani in the third minute. 

Having started the match off strongly, Germany were then able to find the back of the net just minutes later. Wamser sprinted down the wing to deliver a perfectly-timed pass into the path of Brand, who slotted home confidently in the seventh minute. Germany weren’t able to enjoy the lead for long, however, as Sweden managed to find an equaliser just five minutes later. Asllani broke forward and played in forward Stina Blackstenius, who finished the move by converted at the bottom left corner. 

Having exchanged chances in the opening minutes, Germany continued to pose a threat in the minutes that followed, but weren’t able to make their chances count. Instead, it would be Sweden who would go on to take the lead, as Linder’s attempted clearance was turned in by Holmberg (25’). 

Germany reduced to 10 players, Hurtig nets late on 

With their lead at their backs, Sweden began to press harder, winning possession high up the pitch and countering quickly. Wamser made two last-ditch clearances, one of which was a goalline block with her hand to deny Blackstenius. The right-back was shown a red card as a result, with Rolfö stepping up to make it 3-1 from the spot (34’). Now down to ten players, the DFB-Frauen looked for ways back into the game, but were forced to defend against a wave of Swedish attacks. 

Wück made two changes at half-time, introducing Kathrin Hendrich and Sydney Lohmann for Knaak and Freigang. Germany’s first opportunity of the half resulted from a corner-kick from Bühl, which Sweden were able to clear (53’). Lohmann broke through to chase after a long pass in the 60th minute, but Falk was able to intercept it. 

Giovanna Hoffmann then entered the pitch to replace Schüller up front (64’). Germany were able to record more moves into the final third in this phase of play, with Bühl and Brand able to best their defenders with their pace on the wings. However, Germany were unable to generate much of a threat on goal as a result of these solo runs. Hoffmann’s attempt from range went over the bar in the 73rd minute. 

Germany made their fourth substitution in the 77th minute, as Selina Cerci replaced Nüsken. Three minutes later, Sweden were able to celebrate their fourth goal of the night, as Johanna Rytting Kaneryd crossed the ball into the centre of the box, where it was met by Hurtig. Wück’s final roll of the dice saw Sara Däbritz come on for her first appearance at EURO 2025, with Senß leaving the pitch (84’). Shortly after, Cerci was able to chip the ball over Falk, but her attempt only hit the side-netting. Having played the majority of the match with just ten players, Germany were unable to mount a comeback. As a result, Sweden were able to finish top of Group C, and will now face the runners-up in Group D in the knockout stages.