The DFB women were eliminated in the European Championship semi-final. Spain was ultimately too strong. However, new approaches give hope for the future of the German team.
Kim Steinke reports from Zurich
It has not been enough (yet). For 113 minutes, Germany defended passionately and at eye level against the starting Spain, and also developed its own chances. Then world footballer Aitana Bonmatí succeeded in the stroke of genius: she accommodated the ball in the short corner of the German gate. Inattentiveness and the European Championship semi-final was decided.
The DFB women lost 0-1 to the world champion in extra time and diverted the tournament in Switzerland. There were only a few crucial percentage against the Spanish dominance – in cold -ceiling, technology and, above all, courage.
The European Championship is a success for the DFB despite the unfortunate departure. Germany fought itself into the semi -finals and united a country behind it. The upheaval under national coach Christian Wück bears recognizable fruits – and that encourages. The next step is inevitable.
A few weeks ago, Christian Wück surprised some with his young squad. The 52-year-old dispensed with established forces such as Felicitas Rauch (50 caps) and Sara Doorsoun (59), who were present in the DFB team for years. Instead, he rely on Franziska Kett and Carlotta Wamser – two players who had only had three and two caps in their vita to date. They were now more important than ever.
Wamser jumped in the opening game against Poland (2-0) for the early injured captain Giulia Gwinn (inner band) – and convinced. After her red card against Sweden (1: 4) and the missed quarter -finals against France (6: 5 in a penalty shootout), she now played up against Spain. Kett also had to run in the quarter -finals, replaced the blocked Wamser.
National coach Wück took time for praise after leaving: “I usually do not raise players,” he said, before he mentioned Wamser and kett,: “The team of coaches knew that we knew that, but that they really perform so, against such top nations, is worthy of all honors.” Both have speed, good ball treatment and consistent duel behavior – but above all responsible after they have been thrown into the cold water.
And that didn’t remain the only ones. The national coach also has Rebecca Knaak, contrary to criticism, that she is too slow and not fast, strengthened and formed into a constant central defender.
At Sjoeke Nüsken there was a similar picture. Under Wück predecessor Horst Hrubesch, she played in the German regular formation, became the team’s clock-only to get out of her again at the European Championship.
After Gwinn injured himself and Minge had taken over the captain’s bond, the national coach Minge promoted the vice captain and new penalty shooter. In the quarter -finals against France, she missed a penalty. In the second attempt against France, however, she converted ice cold from the point and let her joy run free: After Germany had qualified for the semi -finals, Nüsken ran over the entire place to the German fans. She stretched her fist up, jumped into the air and heated up the crashed spectators.