News (engl.)

Germany’s women’s national team have reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Women’s EURO, after a hard-fought win against France (1-1 a.e.t., 6-5 on pens.). The match was played in front of 34,128 fans at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, and delivered plenty of excitement. Kathrin Hendrich’s early red card saw Germany reduced to ten players in the 13th minute, with Grace Geyoro scoring from the penalty spot to give France the lead (14’). Sjoeke Nüsken then headed in a corner from Klara Bühl to draw Germany level (25’), with neither side able to find the breakthrough. The match then headed to penalties, where goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger emerged as the hero, scoring once herself in addition to parrying two spot-kicks. 

Head coach Christian Wück selected a back four of Sarai Linder, Rebecca Knaak, Hendrich and Franziska Kett. Captain Janina Minge started in defensive midfield, alongside Nüsken and Elisa Senß. Jule Brand and Klara Bühl began in attacking midfield, while Giovanna Hoffmann was the side’s lone striker. 

Nüsken cancels out Geyoro’s opener 

The first chance of the night belonged to Brand, as she tested France’s Pauline Peyraud-Magnin (9’). Germany were then dealt an early setback after Hendrich was shown a straight red card for a foul on Griedge Mbock Bathy inside the box (13’). Geyoro stepped up and buried her penalty into the back of the net to put Les Bleues ahead. 

Wück reacted by bringing in Sophia Kleinherne for Linder, who had picked up a knock in the opening stages (20’). Germany were able to regain some defensive stability in the moments that followed, while seeking opportunities to catch their opponents on the counter-attack. They were able to win a corner-kick after Hoffmann chased down a long pass into the final third, which Bühl delivered perfectly to the near post. Nüsken was waiting to head it past Peyraud-Magnin, putting Germany back into the contest (25’). 

Despite being down to ten players, Germany were able to use their momentum to keep France pinned back in the minutes following the equaliser. Once Les Bleues had recovered from the initial shock of having conceded, they continued to search for opportunities to break through Germany’s backline. As a result of both sides putting in passionate performance in the first half, the match remained tied at the break. 

Missed opportunity to take the lead from the spot 

The second half began in much the same fashion, with France dominating the play and Germany defending deep and waiting for chances to arise on the break. Whenever France did manage a shot at goal, Berger was on hand to deny them. The goalkeeper kept out Delphine Cascarino’s attempt (55’), before being beaten on the rebound by Geyoro (57’). Fortunately, the goal wouldn’t stand as the video assistant referee spotted a French player in an offside position. 

At the other end, Brand was taken down inside the box by Selma Bacha, with the referee pointing to the spot immediately. Nüsken stepped up to take it, but Peyraud-Mangin was able to guess the correct corner and save her spot-kick (69’). Bühl was able to also go close twice in the minutes that followed (70’, 71’), but was unable to find a way through. 

The flow of the match was interrupted by several fouls, as France searched valiantly for a way past Germany’s resolute backline. With nothing to separate the sides in the second half, the match headed to extra-time. 

Berger emerges as the penalty shootout hero 

In the 98th minute, Wück made his second substitution of the night, with Lea Schüller coming on for Hoffmann in attack. Five minutes later, Berger was the hero once again as she pulled off an incredible diving save to claw a misdirected header from Minge off the line. 

Neither side were able to record many chances in the minutes that followed, under the tense atmosphere at St. Jakob-Park. Kett was forced off with a cramp in the 114th minute, with Selina Cerci replacing her. Senß and Brand were then subbed off in the 120th minute and replaced by Linda Dallmann and Sara Däbritz, as penalties loomed.  

The shootout took place in front of the France fans, with Minge, Dallmann and Knaak all converting their penalties with ease. Däbritz was unfortuante to only hit the bar, before Berger stepped up to bury hers in the back of the net. The goalkeeper had previously guessed correctly to deny Amel Majri. Bühl and Nüsken both scored the following penalties for Germany, before Berger became the hero after parrying Alice Sombath’s final attempt for France.  

With the win, Germany have advanced to the semi-finals in dramatic fashion. They will now face Spain at the Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich on Wednesday, 23rd July (21:00 CEST).