DFB women fail against Spain: Extra time in the European Championship semi-final

Zurich. Ann-Katrin Berger's quiet words were almost drowned out by the hellish noise of the Spanish women's team. The world champions danced around the team bus in the rain after reaching the European Championship final against the German national team. Meanwhile, the goalkeeper was ruminating: "I'm terribly sorry I couldn't be there at that moment. The team would have deserved to be in the final."

Berger spoke of the decisive scene in a nerve-wracking semi-final in Zurich's Letzigrund Stadium: World footballer Aitana Bonmatí fooled the 34-year-old with a skillful shot from a tight angle - the very late 1-0, after the German team had put up fierce resistance for 113 minutes.

"The short corner is mine, I should have known better. A brilliant player like Bonmatí naturally sees the smallest gap," said Berger, the heroine in the quarterfinal thriller against France. "I'm disappointed in myself. We knew Spain was a superior opponent and that we would—in plain English—run ourselves ragged."

The German women's national football team missed the European Championship final. Coach Christian Wück's team lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time. Read how the DFB stars fared in our individual reviews here.

Two years after their World Cup triumph in Australia, Spain's ball-wielding team is now aiming for the European Championship title for the first time – on Sunday (6 p.m./ZDF and DAZN) they will face defending champions England in Basel. The German national team, however, once again showed a high-energy performance that could be a landmark for national coach Christian Wück on the long road to the next World Cup in Brazil in 2027.

"You are true role models. For this, you deserve our greatest thanks and respect!" praised Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who was himself among the spectators, in an Instagram post.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who would have traveled to Basel if they reached the final, wrote: "We fought hard until the very end, but unfortunately it wasn't enough in the end. Dear DFB women's team, thank you for these great football moments – we are proud of you!"

Nevertheless, many tears flowed on the pitch and in the locker room, and Rebecca Knaak also stood in front of cameras and microphones with tears in her eyes. Defender Berger vehemently defended her. "She has nothing to be sorry for. What she has achieved in this tournament is extraordinary and incredible."

Wück explained: "She knows herself that the short corner always looks stupid. But we also know that we don't have to give the ball away. We have secure possession." There will be no accusations, "no matter who."

Despite missing the final and several absences, including that of captain Giulia Gwinn, the 52-year-old ultimately had a formidable first tournament with the women's soccer team. A title like the one he achieved with the men's U17 team at the European Championships and World Cup was eluded, and now he, like his players, is ready for a vacation. "We're completely drained right now. I'm drained too, and I need four or five days to think clearly again. We can still be proud."

Germany's goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger talks to her grandfather Herbert.

Source: Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa

Goalkeeper Berger had a very personal moment after the final whistle, hugging her 92-year-old grandfather Herbert. The old man had only wanted to be at the stadium for the final. "He decided last night that he was coming after all. Because I told him: Grandpa, look, playing against Spain is actually like a final, they're an outstanding team," said the 34-year-old Berger. "It took a few more emails than usual, but I was incredibly happy that he was there."

The goalkeeper, who plays in the USA, predicted a bright future for her team: "The girls have incredible talent. The girls have incredible willpower, they have passion, they have team spirit. The mentality the girls have shown, no one can take that away from us. It will be much, much bigger—definitely."

RND/dpa