analysis
An incredible parade in extra time-and a very strong performance in the penalty shootout: Ann-Katrin Berger was the celebrated heroine in the German 7: 6 (1: 1, 1: 1) success in the European Championship quarter-finals against France. But she herself was completely modest.
Berger sank to his knees. The whole work was worth it. With her parade in penalty shooting against Alice Sombath, goalkeeper had brought Germany into the semi -finals. Despite the red card against Kathrin Hendrich in the 13th minute. Despite 0: 1 deficit. The cheer collapsed over the 34-year-old.
But “Anne”, who had also turned a penalty, did not celebrate long with her teammates. She made her way to the center line, where some of the grieving French walked to the ground and donated consolation. At the same time, extra cheering opened again when the UEFA on the scoreboard Kürte chose to player of the game.
Standing in the spotlight is not the matter of Ann-Katrin Berger. “I was not glad that we had to go into the penalty shootout. But then I contributed my part”said the goalkeeper, who had sprayed optimism before the quarter -finals, modestly and added: “Today everyone gave their last shirt. But it shouldn’t be about me, but about my teammates. They have worked incredibly hard for over 120 minutes. The whole earnings are due to the team, not me.”
Epic parade from Berger brings the extension
It was an evening on which heroines are born. Above all, Berger, who had already recorded the 1-1 with an epic parade. When a crashed header of captain Janina sailed towards Toreck, the 34,000 fans in St. Jakob Park stuck the breath. The 2-1 for France no longer seemed to prevent. But Berger made himself long and longer – and parried the ball just on the goal line.
“Ann-Katrin Berger always shows that she is an incredible goalkeeper“, said co-captain Sjoeke Nüsken after the final whistle in the sports show interview. “I always call her ‘The Goat’.” And Berger’s performance really couldn’t have been more great that evening.
Germany with impressive Team performance
Nevertheless, it would really not be fair to their teammates, one would not mention their share in success. It was remarkable how Minge and Co. had tackled after the red card for Hendrich. How Nüsken had balanced the gap after a rehearsed corner ball variant – outstanding.
Ann-Katrin Berger kept us in the game several times. How she kept the header that came on the goal – the team gave this push again to cross the borders. It is incredibly valuable for us to have such a goalkeeper and personality in the team.
And also that Germany remained compact when the penalty deformation was digested by Nüsken must not go unmentioned as well as Franziska Kett’s strong EM debut. The young left-back had successfully put France’s star attacker Delphine Cascarino on the chain.
All of this even forced France coach Laurent Bonadei to get a praise to the opponent: “The German players fought heroically. Germany really played a great game.”
Berger: “First we celebrate, then Spain comes”
And in the end, all German players celebrated with Berger, who had set the end of a football heroine story. But also at the bathroom in the crowd, Berger not only thought of himself. Because the injured Sarai Linder – now on crutches – could have had a hard time in the curve, Berger took her on her back without further ado.
Full of self -confidence, she found a little later: “Now everyone has us on the piece again.” On Wednesday, Berger and Co. meet the Spanish EM favorites in Zurich. “We are now doing one after the other. First of all, we celebrate. Then we concentrate on Spain.”