Trembling in Gladbach! German women bite their teeth against brave Irish women

30th minute: Just before the halftime whistle, it remains to be said: The best thing about this game so far, from a German perspective, is the result. A 0-0 draw would be enough to advance.

28th minute: Halftime is approaching, and it could be a good opportunity for Germany to regroup. Ireland remains at least on par with the rest of the game. However, there are no big chances on either side in this quarter.

25th minute: Phew, that was lucky from Germany's perspective. After winning the ball, Ireland counterattacks with a looping pass. Three Irish players run towards goal against Linnea Weidemann. But the German defender is illegally sent off. The whistle goes to Germany.

24th minute: Lena Micheel blasts a long pass into the crease. But the Irish defend it very well. Another backhander gets in the way, and the ball is lost again.

23rd minute: The DHB women continue to lack solutions. And Ireland's chest continues to expand.

21st minute: That was a real threat. Davidsmeyer charges through on the right and thunders the ball into the middle. Sara Strauss narrowly misses the ball from just in front of the goal. What a shame.

20th minute: Selin Oruz, who appears to be recovered, moves from the center of midfield into the circle and receives the pass. But there's no real way through there either.

19th minute: Just a reminder: A draw would be enough for the German women. So they don't necessarily have to risk everything. But they're certainly hoping for a little more, especially with a possible semi-final against Belgium in mind.

17th minute: The Irish continue to prove themselves a very tenacious opponent. Robust in their own half, well-organized even before the danger zone. Germany struggles to break through. Jette Fleschütz hits the side netting from a tight angle.

16th minute: Selin Oruz injured her arm when she took the ball during Ireland's third penalty corner. She grits her teeth. There are worried faces on the bench.

15th minute: Germany's final attacking effort also remains fruitless. After a good start, the Irish increasingly took control of the game. The DHB women appeared nervous and disorganized against this unpleasant opponent.

14th minute (Ireland's 3rd penalty corner): The Irish fail to properly stop the ball. The shot still comes, but it's safe. Fortunately for the DHB women.

14th minute (Ireland's 2nd penalty corner): And just before the end of the quarter, Ireland is awarded another penalty corner. McLoughlin goes all out. He saves again, but Davidsmeyer concedes the next penalty corner.

14th minute: The game is disjointed and noticeably lackluster. The Germans are struggling to cope with the underdog's formation. And the Irish are back in attack. Chaos in front of the German goal. The Irish want a penalty corner and are appealing for video evidence.

12th minute: Germany on the offensive again. The Irish are running very well, though. And the next deep pass doesn't land. Only three minutes left in the first quarter.

11th minute: Germany is no longer able to consistently combine forward. The Irish are once again appearing in the Germans' shooting circle. But Hanna Granitzki is in the way. Germany needs some calm on the ball again.

9th minute (Ireland penalty): Hannah McLoughlin steps up and tries to push the ball into the right corner. But Julia Sonntag is there and saves.

9th minute: Suddenly, the German defense is completely exposed. The Irish are playing well with ease. Johanna Hachenberg puts her stick in the way of a shot on goal. The referees award a penalty to Ireland. Ahaha.

8th minute: Weidemann, Nolte, Micheel – the ball finally lands with Johanna Hachenberg. She tries a shot from a tight angle. The ball whizzes high over the top of the goal.

7th minute (Ireland's 1st penalty corner): Lilly Stoffelsma gets a whistle on the touchline – and it's a penalty corner for Ireland. Watch out now! And it's a copy of the German corner from just now. Julia Sonntag throws herself across and is shot at.

7th minute: After the initial chances, the game settles down for a while. Linnea Weidemann attempts a diagonal, curling pass into the circle. It actually connects, but the cross fizzles out, resulting in an offensive foul.

5th minute: Germany combines around the opposing circle. Nothing comes of it at first.

3rd minute (Germany's 2nd penalty corner): Germany follows up aggressively. A mess in front of the Irish goal. And again, it's Jette Fleschütz who steals a penalty corner. Michael shoots. The goalkeeper crosses the ball and saves it relatively easily.

2nd minute (Germany's 1st penalty corner): A solo effort by Jette Fleschütz earns the first penalty corner for Germany's women's team. Lisa Nolte takes a shot. The ball hits the Irish net. But the ball is too high. Unfortunately, the goal is disallowed. That would have been a perfect start.

2nd minute: These Irish women should definitely not be underestimated. The underdog narrowly lost their first two group matches against France and the Netherlands. A two-goal victory could even see them snag their way into the semifinals.

1st minute: The atmosphere in the stands is great – and the German women's final group match begins. Germany goes straight for the ball and wins possession after just seven seconds.

7:59 p.m.: Lena Micheel cheers the team on again in the circle. "There's only one thing we can do today. And then we'll make it to our home semifinal," she yells. Well then, let's go!

7:55 p.m.: The national anthems are playing, and the players are ready. As in recent days, the heat is still sweltering at Mönchengladbach's hockey park. Nevertheless, the women's hockey team must keep a cool head.

4:1 against France , 1:5 against the Netherlands : Germany's women's hockey team has already experienced a decisive victory and a bitter defeat at the European Championships in Mönchengladbach. Now they face Ireland for a place in the semifinals. The Irish have neither scored a goal nor a point so far, but they held their own against France (0:1) and favorites the Netherlands (0:2).

Since the Netherlands beat France 6-0 in their final group match late this afternoon, a draw or even a narrow defeat against Ireland will be enough for the German women to advance. However, coach Janneke Schoppman's team will certainly want to make a statement and gain confidence.