Germany prevails dramatically in the quarter-finals of the 2025 women’s European Championships against France despite more than 100 minutes. The DFB team shows a willpower that could sustainably.
The penalty shootout in the European Championship quarter-finals between Germany and France (6: 5) had just ended, so it was already felt that the semi-finals were more than a “normal” victory for the German team. Huge euphoria and limitless relief determined the players of the players, because team spirit and will have triumphed, contrary to all resistance.
DFB coach Wück: “Mentality beats talent”
“Winning the conviction has grown in the course of the game”the visibly made national coach Christian Wück stated after the exhausting evening. France had more than 100 minutes of overnight number, the DFB team threw struggle and courage into the balance. And prevailed in the end. “Mentality beats talent”the trainer summed up. You cannot contradict him after this epic quarter -finals.
Similar to your coach, the mood among the German players was. “I have never seen us running like this”said Klara Bühl. “An incredible increase in performance – and the tenth in the field”attested Sjoeke Nüsken of her team.
Germany’s players run to goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger after the penalty shoot-out.
A victory against doubts
It was also a victory against doubts. After the 1: 4 in the third preliminary round game against Sweden, the criticism had been great. In any case, the team seemed to be far from the absolute top of the world since the early end of the 2023 World Cup. This was also reflected a little in public perception. The fire for the DFB au-election was no longer really burning.
And now this epochal success that included everything that makes this sport so fascinating: a dramatic game in an intensive atmosphere. An incredible tension generates through an insane effort from the DFB team. One of the most unnecessary red cards in German international history. Two penalties (one of which was shot), VAR decisions and a goalkeeper parade for the history books. There is no more.
Strong TV quota – best advertising for women’s football
And all at the main end of Saturday evening. More than ten million switched on, which meant a market share of more than 50 percent. Best advertising for women’s football, which can provide new enthusiasm in this country. Because the national team is the draft horse of their sport. Success in tournaments is important for further growth. In any case, the fire seems to be sparked again – also as far as public perception is concerned.
Because it is like this: the general interest in women’s football in Germany may be as great than ever. This is shown by the figures of the previous EM 2025. However, an euphoria related to the national team has not yet been. Until this Saturday evening. The France game could change everything.
This works viral, the scenes will go through the ceiling.
Sabine Mammitzsch also hopes that. “That works viral, the scenes will go through the ceiling. Many will look at the clips and see passion”said the DFB Vice President the day after the game in the Sportschau interview.
DFB Vice President Mammitzsch: “That will help everyone”
The official, who is also a delegation manager of the German team, believes in a signal effect. “There will be a lot of girls who will emulate that. And of course there will also be boys who say: ‘I want to hold now like Ann-Kathrin Berger'”said Mammitzsch and concretized: “This will help everyone. This will help the regional associations because girls want to play even more football in the small clubs. This will help the Bundesliga and the 2nd league because people come to the stadiums to see the players. For us, the semi -finals are a really good signal.”
At first it looked dark. It was only played for a quarter of an hour when the evening already seemed. Only defender Kathrin Hendrich got the red card because she had drawn in her own penalty area with a standard situation on the braid by opponent Griedge Mbock. Grace Geyoro converted the resulting penalty into French leadership. Just a few minutes later, the battered Sarai Linder also had to get off the field.
However, the German team did not resign, but defended itself passionately and came to the quick compensation through Nüsken. Thanks to the happiness of the efficient and an outstanding goalkeeper Ann-Kathrin Berger, there was a 6: 5 in the penalty shootout.
Sjoeke Nüsken: “We want to bring the thing home now”
The spark has jumped over – now letting the fire burn, the German team is responsible for. In the semifinals (Wednesday, 9 p.m., in the first and in the live stream on sportschau.de), a maximum difficult task is waiting with world champion Spain. But the German players not only lit – they are too. “We want to bring the thing home now”was Nüsken’s declaration of war. Even if the evening against France cost as much energy as brought.
In any case, one thing is clear to the midfielder. They also wanted to be a maximum of uncomfortable opponents against Spain, she announced. “We have now shown what we have on it!” Great self -confidence that it was worked hard. With the will and against France and the sparked euphoria, everything now seems possible.