Ann-Katrin Berger has an EM full on and down. After their mistake in the semi -finals, teammates and national coaches were protecting in front of their number one – and their grandfather is right.
Ann-Kathrin Berger still had to do long after the EM semi-final final against Spain (0-1 after extra time). First she went to the grandstand to her specially traveled grandpa, then the German number one completed a memorable interview marathon. And finally she also had to go to doping control. For Berger it was the end of a tournament that was like a roller coaster ride.
Wück criticism to Berger in the preliminary round
The goalkeeper could be sure of her regular place, but national coach Christian Wück criticized her after the 2-1 win against Denmark in the group phase for her risky style of play. Berger took the criticism at least calmly – and really turned up in the KO phase.
At the quarter-final victory in France, she showed a world-class performance, including the tournament parade, when she still fished out a crashed header from teammate Janina Ming in extension in reverse running. After that, she was so modest that she could no longer remember. “I have to consider what chance it was”she said when she was asked about it in the Sportschau interview.
Kahn and Merz also congratulate Berger
Shortly afterwards, however, everyone knew about the spectacular insert, videos and photos went viral. Even men who had not previously noticed as great fans of women’s football praised the parade in the highest tones – from “Titan” Oliver Kahn to Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The fact that Berger became a heroine in the penalty shoot -out with two shots held and a penalty, which himself also sank, almost went under in the follow -up. Nevertheless, she had to order the cameraman at the round of honor after the final whistle: “Not just me [filmen]the team is also important. “
Media across Europe had long since discovered the eventful history of the goalkeeper, who has now played at Gotham FC in the USA. Of their two cancer and the “All we have is now”-Tattoo that covers the surgical scars. And of Berger’s greatest fan and critic, her 92-year-old grandpa, who had announced himself for the final and who was finally persuaded to be in the stadium against Spain.
The Grandpa of Ann-Katrin Berger in the stadium in Zurich at the European Championship semi-final Germany against Spain.
Berger fiancee Carter gets racist news
And while Berger was the celebrated heroine, her fiance Jess Carter had to struggle with completely different things: The English international made racist insults publicly and announced that it would first withdraw from social media. Berger also always stays back on her accounts and emphasized again and again, while the European Championships did not read any messages.
With her performance, she made an impression of this, especially among the opponents. In the semifinals, she also brought the Spaniards to despair for a long time. “She played at a very high level. We felt that she would keep each of our shots”reported world footballer Aitana Bonmatí. It was the BONMATí who exploited Berger’s position in the extension and hit the short corner. The KO for Germany and at the same time Spain’s ticket for the final.
Team takes Berger in protection for EM-AS
In the questioned interview marathon, remarkable things happened afterwards: Berger immediately took blame for leaving and repeated this admission to all microphones that were held on to her. “The goal is on my cap, the short corner has to be. I am all the more disappointed with myself. I’m incredibly sorry for the team”she said at the sports show microphone.
And the team? Jumped at her “Anne” immediately. “Everyone knows that Anne kept us in the tournament so often. She is definitely not to blame”said replacement captain Janina Minge. Wück also protected. “Anne does not have to blame. She saved us into enough scenes and kept in the game”he said.
And so there was a bit of comfort for Berger even in the sad moment of leaving, who was finally allowed to find peace late at night. The view of her grandpa before hit it very well: “He always said that it is a very thin line between victory and defeat. And unfortunately he is right.”