Berger, German hero: Germany to the Euro 2025 semi-finals after epic victory

Ann-Katrin Berger: The German Heroine at the 2025 European Championship

Amidst the euphoric celebrations of Germany following their victory at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, one figure stood out above all: goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger. “It’s not just me,” Berger declared to the cameras, “the team is also important.” Although the victory required a monumental collective effort, Berger was undeniably the heroine of the night. The match against France was full of adversities for Christian Wuck’s team, including the expulsion of Kathrin Hendrich and a penalty converted by Grace Geyoro that seemed to sentence the elimination of the eight-time European champions. However, Germany reacted, equalizing thanks to Sjoeke Nüsken and forcing extra time and penalties.

• Results and schedule of the Women’s Euro 2025.
• Germany defies expectations and reaches the semi-finals of Euro 2025.

Berger was the key, making nine saves in the 120 minutes, the most for a goalkeeper in a European Championship knockout stage since 2013. A spectacular save to prevent an own goal by Janina Minge stood out.

She is a player who has had extreme experiences. I think her faith and her journey in life have made her patient, and the patience and calm she brings to the team she demonstrated today.

Christian Wuck

German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger has kept her team in the competition. Berger, who played at Chelsea before joining Gotham FC, has shown that there are more important things than football. In 2017, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and returned to the field 76 days later, earning a place in the PFA Team of the Year. In 2022, the cancer reappeared. Berger remained calm, stopping Amel Majri’s first penalty and scoring her own, before stopping Alice Sombath’s decisive shot, securing Germany’s place in the semi-finals.

Germany deserved the qualification. The German team was heroic.

Laurent Bonadei

For France, it was a tough night. For Germany, it’s a reminder of their legacy in the tournament. They are the most successful team in the history of the Women’s European Championship, with eight titles.

After his disappointing performance in the 2023 World Cup, Christian Wuck took over as coach in 2024. Wuck, with experience at the DFB, guided the men’s U-17 team to victory at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2023. DFB President Bernd Neuendorf believed Wuck was the right man to lead the team.

Christian has shown that he can develop personalities and turn teams into a cohesive unit. I am convinced that he is the right person to lead our team into the future.

Bernd Neuendorf

The team’s cohesion was evident against France, overcoming the defeat in the group stage against Sweden.

I can say with certainty that tonight’s was the best and toughest performance I’ve seen from the team since I’ve known them, against an opponent that demanded everything from us. It was incredible.

Christian Wuck

If Germany wants to overcome Spain in the semi-finals, they will need another outstanding performance. The absence of captain Giulia Gwinn and the suspensions of Nusken and Hendrich are significant blows. However, after what they achieved against France, no one should rule out Germany.