The European Championship victory of the German women against France: A football match could not be more fascinating

There was once a time when the German men's national football team was considered something very special: It was called a "tournament team," and this designation was exclusive. Because whenever a tournament was scheduled, you could be pretty sure that the Germans would go quite far, regardless of the conditions. "Tournament team": That sounded awkward, but also threatening.

Meanwhile, the German men's national team has successfully emancipated itself from this frightening label. It's been nine years since they last participated in a semifinal of a World Cup or European Championship, when they were eliminated in a big match against France.

Since then, they've posted a string of mediocre, sometimes even appalling, results. Twice, they even made it to the preliminary round of World Championships. The tournament team can now only be seen in antique shops.

The conceptual label "tournament team" is difficult to attach to a women's team, even if some TV commentators at this European Championship do so out of habit. But after the quarterfinal against the favored French, one might well think that this team, assembled by coach Christian Wück, has slipped into the role previously played by the men.

Qualifying for the semifinals (against world champions Spain) on penalties wasn't just spectacular. It seemed downright utopian after a quarter of an hour of play, as Germany was playing with ten men from then on. And before that, against Sweden, the German team had literally fallen apart while outnumbered (1:4).

But the way they fought their way to the quarterfinals in Basel was impressive. The victory was practically a sacrifice in a game full of crazy twists and turns, so that the final result, after extra time and a penalty shootout, was a flawless test of character. "Pride": That was probably the word used most often by players and coaches. And by no means unjustified.

The Germans had to play a good two hours, including a generous amount of stoppage time, with a reduced squad after Kathrin Hendrich was sent off for hair-pulling. They also had to equalize from a deficit and then force a penalty shootout. That was undoubtedly a magnificent achievement. And perhaps the best advertisement women's football in Germany has ever had.

There used to be plenty of success. Titles were won in succession, at European Championships, World Championships, and the Olympic Games. However, women never achieved the ultimate breakthrough for their sport: being recognized as a separate discipline, one where no one would even consider comparing it to men's football.

But matches like the one against the French stand out. Everything that characterizes great football was on display here. The sheer fascination of the game knows no gender boundaries. The fact that it was a dramatic match in which the Germans took the more fortunate role makes the match a classic in German football history.

Ultimately, the odds were daunting. Giulia Gwinn's injury in the first match and the absence of Carlotta Wamser, who was sent off for handball against Sweden. But the performance against France was driven by an absolute will not to lose. Captain Janina Minge said in an interview shortly after the final whistle that after the red card, the only thing left to do was somehow elude the penalty shootout.

In Ann-Katrin Berger, the Germans have a specialist who is brilliant at saving penalties and confidently converting them herself. Berger, however, demonstrated that she's also a great goalkeeper outside of penalty shootouts with a ridiculous save in extra time.

Coach Christian Wück said his team was prepared for the worst-case scenario. And yet, a penalty shootout is unpredictable. Sjoeke Nüsken missed a penalty in regular time. In the final test of nerves, she allowed herself to be persuaded to step up as the sixth German shooter – and fired the ball into the net. Her performance was typical of the DFB team. Not a "tournament team" in the traditional sense, but a team that matures with its challenges.