Spain bullish but wary of ‘great' Germany goalkeeper Berger
Zurich
Confident Spain coach Montse Tome has hailed Germany goalkeeper Ann-Kathrin Berger but says the match-winner from the quarter-finals does have weaknesses.
The world champions take on the record European titleholders in the second Euro 2025 semi-final in Zurich on Wednesday.
Although the Spanish have a bad record against the Germans, they are still favourites to progress to Sunday's final - if they can breach Berger's goal after her heroics in the battling last-eight win over France.
'She's a great goalkeeper. She's proved it here and elsewhere. She brings a lot to the table. She's a veteran and makes key interventions. We've studied her and seen her. We know she has virtues but also weaknesses,' the coach told a news conference on Tuesday.
'I've been able to compete against Germany five times and we haven't managed to beat them. But I've felt that we've been closer and closer to beating them.
'At the Olympics we came close and now we're closer. They have eight European Championships and their essence is the same, regardless of who is in charge. We know how we have to play. It's going to be very difficult.'
Although the standard of play at the Euros has again seen the women's game take a giant leap - especially in terms of goalkeeping - penalties have been a weak spot.
Spain missed two in normal time of their 2-0 quarter-final win over hosts Switzerland. Germany, with 10 players for the majority of the match, edged France on spot-kicks thanks to Berger and will be feeling confident if the semi also goes to a shoot-out.
But the Spanish have been practising.
The coach added: 'It's difficult, in a training session to reproduce it. We have practised them, we have 3-4 players who can take them well. I've been testing the players a bit, we've made an assessment.
Everything we've done in training has been positive.' Generally, Spain - who have scored 16 goals in winning all four games so far - feel happy where they are at.
'It's the tournament where we feel most comfortable and where I've seen the most professional atmosphere,' the boss added.
'I see that the team is mature and eager to compete. I see the team excited and eager to start the game. They are not nervous.'
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