Press marvels at DFB "heroine": Berger stuns France with "one of the best European Championship saves of all time"

The German women's national team is in the semifinals of the European Football Championship after an "epic" victory: Germany beat France 6-5 on penalties, having fallen behind after just 13 minutes following a Kathrin Hendrich blackout and having to play with ten men for an interminable 107 minutes. The international press is particularly in awe of "heroine" Ann-Katrin Berger: The German goalkeeper spectacularly prevented a serious, potentially decisive blow to her team's neck in the 113th minute. In England, they are calling it "one of the best European Championship saves of all time." In France, the dramatic thriller is deeply dejected.

France

L'Equipe : "It's enough to make you tear your hair out. The curse continues for Les Bleues, who suffered their third consecutive quarter-final exit at a major tournament (after the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 Olympic Games)."

Le Parisien : "A terrible disappointment for Les Bleues. In Basel, the demons awoke, conjuring up images of the typical despair of the vanquished, at the very moment when Alice Sombath missed the final penalty for France."

Le Figaro: "A cruel end to a dream. And a terrible disappointment."

Spain

Marca : "Berger saves Germany. The France-Germany clash was a true test of faith, courage, and perseverance. This team knows no bounds: when everything seemed to be going downhill, they held on to the epic... and the epic was dressed in black and white."

AS : "The heroine has a name: Ann-Katrin Berger. The German goalkeeper saved her team when they fell behind and were down a player after Hendrich's incredible mistake."

England

The Guardian : "Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger produced one of the best saves of all time at a European Championship as Germany, with a courageous performance from ten players, challenged France for a place in the semi-finals on a dramatic night in Basel. In a thrilling game with many unpredictable moments, including a shocking early red card, video referee drama, two penalties and two disallowed goals for France, it was ultimately the well-known realization that Germany's mental strength prevailed in the penalty shootout that led to France's elimination."

BBC : "Germany defied all expectations in a chaotic encounter, beating France on penalties and reaching the semi-finals of EURO 2025—despite playing with ten players from the 13th minute onwards. Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, who had made outstanding saves all evening, was the hero."

Daily Mail : "A German star is sent off after conceding a penalty for brutally pulling a France player's hair in the Euro 2025 quarter-final. It was a bizarre incident - but her teammates rescue her with a win."

The Independent : "Germany survives the hair-pulling, while France loses its head and the Euro 2025 quarter-finals."

Switzerland

Blick: "Mega-save and penalty show: Berger leads the German national team to the semifinals - red card offender Hendrich causes a hairy penalty scene. An early red card, two penalties in regular time, two disallowed goals, and Germany defeating France in a penalty shootout despite being outnumbered for a long time. The European Championship quarterfinal in Basel in front of 34,128 fans provides plenty of food for thought."

Tagesanzeiger: "Penalty-save hero Ann-Katrin Berger leads the German women's soccer team into the European Championship semifinals after a furious duel against France. After a nerve-wracking penalty shootout and a 6-5 victory in the penalty shootout, the brilliantly fighting DFB team can celebrate in the quarterfinals, thanks in part to the strong saves of the goalkeeper."

Netherlands

De Telegraaf: "In an incredible way, Germany qualified as the last team for the semi-finals of the Women's European Football Championship."