European Football Championship | The will of the DFB women moves mountains in Switzerland

There are truly all sorts of items that kit manager Steve Smith meticulously lays out before each training session of the German women's soccer team at this European Championship at the Buchlern Sports Center. An ice bucket wasn't among the materials used on Monday for the first training session in preparation for Wednesday's semifinal against Spain in Zurich under overcast skies. The American-born player may be a strong guy, but even he would have been overwhelmed by such a large amount of equipment.

Respect for the semi-final

Christian Wück wasn't quite so serious when he announced "three days of ice cream" after the epic quarterfinal drama against France on Saturday evening. The national coach started the session with football tennis, which also reduced the risk of injury. And three of Basel's heroines, Rebecca Knaak, Franziska Kett, and Giovanna Hoffmann, only did casual jogging.

Before the semifinals, the respect could hardly be greater – and that applies to both sides. The German women's national team is the "Bestia negra": If the world champions from Spain fear a spoilsport, it's the eight-time European champions, the "black beast." For world-class footballers like Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas, the Germans are something like a mythical monster, wrote the newspaper "As." And "Marca" said this typical tournament team is "Spain's kryptonite."

Tackling strength versus passing quality

In eight previous encounters with Germany, the Spanish women's team has yet to win. They have lost important matches such as the bronze medal match at the 2024 Olympic Games, the group match at the 2022 European Championships, and the 2019 World Cup group match. The pattern was always the same: Spanish possession eventually evaporated as their opponents closed down every space and didn't shy away from any challenge.

Nevertheless, the German side also bows deeply. The "prodigious passing quality" of their opponents is coupled with "a certain spunk," explained DFB Sports Director Nia Künzer. This is based on the excellent youth development: The Spanish U19 women's soccer team has won the European Championship seven times, most recently four times in a row. However, the Selección Española Femenina is now in the semifinals of a European Championship for only the second time since 1997 – but their combinations are even faster than when they won the title at the 2023 World Cup.

Künzer nevertheless expressed considerable confidence that Janina Minge, Jule Brand, and, more recently, Sophia Kleinherne would "get into the heads" of a favored team: "We can beat the Spanish." Willpower can apparently move mountains in Switzerland. "Being among the top four in Europe," said the 2003 World Cup winner, "is confirmation of the path we're on." The 45-year-old had ultimately given up her job at the Giessen Regional Council to lead the DFB women back to success.

Desire to defend

The team is currently absorbing all setbacks like a boxer. Word has spread about "how difficult we are to play against" – and "the defensive passion" will now also be on display at the Letzigrund Stadium, right on the doorstep of the base camp. The travel day is therefore canceled. This resurrection of German virtues comes at a time when former DFB sporting director Matthias Sammer had just taken a final reckoning. His criticism was directed at the men. If the women now prove the opposite at the most important tournament of the summer, it will help immensely. The association, the clubs – and of course the players, who now have two more steps to take towards their stated goal.

Künzer stated that the team has become adept at reacting to "dropouts, injuries, red cards" – and compensating for any gaps. The injured Sarai Linder, as well as the suspended Kathrin Hendrich and Sjoeke Nüsken, will be missing from the semifinals. The most difficult part will be replacing Nüsken, who has been promoted to vice-captain and is a highly responsible midfielder. Nevertheless, there is great confidence that they will once again offer top-notch evening entertainment. Preparations are underway – even without an ice cream barrel.