According to Poland, Germany also beats Denmark at the European Championship. Despite the victory, a decisive actor polarizes with her style of play.
Kim Steinke reports from Basel
DFB goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger had the Danish attackers run into nothing several times-and thus drove up the pulse of the German spectators and the national coach. In the second EM group game in Basel, the 34-year-old allowed herself three risky actions that went out lightly, but also raised the question: How long is that going well?
Although the DFB women Denmark defeated the ticket for the quarter-finals with 2-1 and thanks to the shooting aid from Sweden, not everything is pink at the national team. Berger’s appearance is the big topic of conversation. National coach Christian Wück sees increasing need for action.
“No,” was Wück’s answer after the final whistle when asked whether he liked Berger’s style of play. A short break followed, then laughter. “I can’t say more about that now. I will sit at the table with her,” announced Wück. Another solution must be found, “because otherwise I will not get old”.
The national coach is the risk of running opponents with fins, apparently too big. Berger, on the other hand, reacted calmly: “Maybe it looks like this, but I had a good feeling,” she said afterwards. The perspective from the outside differ from their point of view. “That’s why I would do it again,” she emphasized.
The fact that their playing style does not like everyone takes “Anne”, as it is also called in the team. But: “If the head coach says something else, let’s see if I keep going.” The player of NJ/NY Gotham is used to printing situations from the training. “I love playing football and that’s just my way,” she said. Certainly she is also able to minimize risky actions, “but I won’t get it out of it,” said Berger.
Despite her 34 years, Berger’s DFB career only started in December 2020. Since then, however, she has only played 24 caps. For a long time she stood in the shadow of Almuth Schult and later Merle Frohms. Only under Horst Hrubesch was she promoted to German number one in the course of the Olympic Games last year – and promptly became a heroine.
In the game for third place against Spain, Berger secured the bronze medal in added time at 1-0. The goalkeeper held a penalty of the opponent and confirmed her regular place at the DFB women. Berger was celebrated in the quarter -finals when she parried twice against Canada in a penalty shootout and converted the crucial shot herself.
She is estimated in the team. There she also enjoys support because of her services. Defense chief Janina Minge, who took over the captain’s armband due to the injury-related European Championship out of Giulia Gwinn, said after the victory against Denmark: “She radiates enormous security. I know when I play the ball back to her that he is in good hands with Anne.” Even if her risky actions are “not beautiful to look at” from a viewer perspective, she “has full trust”. Berger played outstandingly against Denmark. “Therefore, you can’t wrote anything.”