Berger to be Germany's goalkeeper for women's Euros
Ann-Katrin Berger will be Germany's starting goalkeeper at the women's Euros in Switzerland in July, coach Christian Wück said on Tuesday.
The 34-year-old helped Germany to Olympic bronze in Paris in August before Wück took over.
"She will go into the Euros as the number one. In other words, she will get playing time from now on," Wück told reporters on Tuesday ahead of the Nations League matches against Scotland on April 4 and 8.
Wück has so far used Berger, who plays for the US club Gotham FC, as well as Stina Johannes from Eintracht Frankfurt, Ena Mahmutovic from Bayern Munich and Sophia Winkler from Essen during his tenure.
Winkler has suffered a cruciate knee ligament tear and is not an option for the Euros.
"All those who have had opportunities have delivered good performances but have not been without mistakes," Wück said about the keeper candidates.
Speaking specifically about Berger, he noted: "She exudes the kind of confidence that a young goalkeeper might need more time to develop."
Berger and Johannes, along with Rafaela Borggräfe from Freiburg, have been nominated for the matches against Scotland, while Mahmutovic is only on standby.
Bayern's Maria Luisa Grohs, who recently made her comeback after overcoming cancer, could still enter the race for a squad spot for the record European champions.
Berger also overcame thyroid cancer in 2017.
Germany, who drew 2-2 against the Netherlands and defeated Austria 4-1 in Nations League games in February, face Scotland next month in Dundee and in Wolfsburg.
Injured players Rebecca Knaak from Manchester City and Kathrin Hendrich from Wolfsburg miss out.
Forward Franziska Kett from Bayern has been called up for the first time, while club team-mate Sydney Lohmann returns to the 23-player squad, which is led by captain and Bayern full back Giulia Gwinn.
Paulina Krumbiegel from Juventus and Freiburg's Cora Zicai are also back.
Wück has high hopes for Bayern's Lena Oberdorf, who had previously been a key figure in Germany's midfield. The 23-year-old is recovering from a cruciate ligament tear and Wück is optimistic she will be fit in time for the Euros.
"With Obi, it's simply a matter of the timing potentially working out, it should work out," he said.
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