Latest news with #ChristianWück
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Spain to face England in Euro 2025 final after Bonmatí's extra-time strike sinks Germany
Euro 2025 semi-final: Germany 0 Spain 1 (Bonmatí 113) From Sydney to Basel with two years and, for those who took in both Euro 2025 semi-finals, several lifetimes in between. Spain will be England's opponents in the decider on Sunday, ensuring a delicious rerun of the World Cup final, but that barely tells the story of a tie with a resolution arriving only seven minutes from the end of extra time. The scorer simply had to be Aitana Bonmatí, whose meningitis infection last month cast a severe cloud over Spain's preparations. They will now play to win their first European Championship title but it was impossible not to sympathise with an excellent Germany side and, particularly, their goalkeeper, Ann-Katrin Berger. She had been immaculate until Bonmatí, slipped in towards the right byline by Athenea del Castillo, let fly from a tight angle and beat her inside the near post. Germany had come agonisingly close to victory themselves and sank to the floor in deflation at the end. With its oval curves and all-encompassing athletics track this venue lacks the acoustic force that propelled England and Italy on Tuesday night. The stakes here were no lower, though, and the context a novelty. It has taken a colossal stretch, down the years, for Germany to be cast as plucky underdogs but they could make that case here. Christian Wück's weakened team spluttered through the group stage but located staggering depths of resolve in edging past France despite being a player short for 107 minutes. READ MORE They would be required to 'suffer' to stand any chance of going one better, according to Wück. That was hardly rocket science: Spain's football has been several levels above the rest in a tournament high on drama but variable on technical quality. The world champions had barely been scratched in progressing this far, a shade of doubt perhaps offering itself in the time it took to puncture a resilient Switzerland in their quarter‑final on Friday. Germany's Klara Buehl under pressure from Spain's Ona Batlle. Photograph:The Germany captain, Giulia Gwinn, a high-profile absentee since sustaining a competition‑ending knee injury against Poland, was again named among the substitutes and watched in full kit. She had no chance of taking active part but perhaps a 12th player would do no harm. In the event those on the pitch started brightly and should have been rewarded. The winger Klara Bühl had already caused flutters before, in the eighth minute, running clear down the inside-left channel from a long pass from Berger. Opportunity begged but, with Catalina Coll to beat, Bühl dragged her finish across goal. On the quarter-hour Bühl had another shot blocked. Germany were putting the yards in for Wück, breaking quickly and denying Spain any semblance of rhythm. When Esther González found a half-space in the box, a heavy touch saw her surrounded and the chance extinguished. She was booked for stopping the resulting counter but soon became involved more constructively. A snap shot from 15 yards forced Berger, hero of the quarter‑final, to tip over acrobatically; Spain, crowded out until then, had finally showed up. They came again, Berger gobbling up before Clàudia Pina could exploit an inventive free-kick routine. But it was Giovanna Hoffmann, the Germany centre-forward, who had more to rue when air-kicking from a superb position on the half-hour. Jule Brand had forced the opportunity with tricky work on the right; for all their uncertainties, Germany were posing plenty of the questions. In outmuscling Olga Carmona before she could enter the Germany box, Carlotta Wamser offered an accurate precis of events. Spain's threat is never fully dulled, though, and they turned the screw towards half-time. First Irene Paredes met a Pina corner and only Berger's right post kept the score level, the keeper rooted as the ball rebounded out. Then Berger was forced to deny González and Pina, both of whom had run in behind, in quick succession and Germany were relieved to cling on. This had been bright, intelligent fare: a notch superior to almost everything served up the previous night. Germany needed to retain a threat after the interval while bolting the door against opponents who could scent blood. Their support screamed for handball when another Bühl effort struck Paredes; there was no genuine case and they had better cause to be exercised when Berger took a hefty blow after another timely stop at Ona Batlle's marauding feet. Berger got up, which felt crucial given Spain had already scored nine second-half goals this summer. In the 58th minute she was thankful to a block from Sophia Kleinherne, who diverted the previously quiet Bonmatí's shot wide after Spain's most incisive move of the game. Nonetheless it was hardly as if Germany found themselves relentlessly pegged back. Bühl threatened yet again, Coll repelling her low drive. 'Sí se puede' ('Yes we can') rang out from the contingent behind Berger's goal, but as the minutes ticked down it was far from certain that Spain actually would. Montse Tomé rolled the dice, replacing González and Pina. Germany looked tired but it was only a remarkable double save from Coll, who denied Bühl and Wamser in rapid succession, that thwarted them at the end of normal time. Bonmatí would inflict the cruellest of blows with penalties looming. – Guardian
DW
6 days ago
- Sport
- DW
Euro 2025: Germany lose to Spain in semifinal – DW – 07/23/2025
After 115 minutes, Aitana Bonmati scored the winner to knock Germany out and put Spain in the final. Germany lost 1-0 after extra time to Spain in the UEFA Euro 2025 semifinal, as Christian Wück's side paid the price for missing a hatful of chances. Aiming to make their second straight Euro final, Germany pushed world champions Spain right to the limit but had their hearts broken by Spanish superstar Aitana Bonmati with five minutes left in extra time. After a poor clearance, Spain worked the ball quickly and Bonmati, spotting the near post open, squeezed the ball past Berger who had been expecting a cross. Christian Wück's side, who started the game with a depleted squad after injuries and suspensions, handled the expected Spanish ball control well for most of the game, and had a handful of chances to score. Giovanna Hoffmann missed in the first half, Klara Bühl missed a chance in both halves and Carlotta Wamser also couldn't find a way past Spain's goalkeeper Cata Coll in stoppage time at the end of the 90 minutes. The longer the game went on and the more chances Germany missed, the more it felt like defending world champions Spain would find a goal. In extra time, both sides began to tire and just when penalties looked on the cards, Bonmati struck as Spain finally found a way past the otherwise excellent Ann-Katrin Berger. Spain will play England in the final on Sunday, July 27. The game is a rematch of the 2023 World Cup Final, which Spain won 1-0.
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Bonmatí's angle-defying strike against Germany sends Spain to Euro 2025 final
From Sydney to Basel with two years and, for those who took in both Euro 2025 semi-finals, several lifetimes in between. Spain will be England's opponents in the decider on Sunday, ensuring a delicious rerun of the World Cup final, but that barely tells the story of a tie with a resolution arriving only seven minutes from the end of extra time. The scorer simply had to be Aitana Bonmatí, whose meningitis infection last month cast a severe cloud over Spain's preparations. They will now play to win their first European Championship title but it was impossible not to sympathise with an excellent Germany side and, particularly, their goalkeeper, Ann-Katrin Berger. She had been immaculate until Bonmatí, slipped in towards the right byline by Athenea del Castillo, let fly from a tight angle and beat her inside the near post. Germany had come agonisingly close to victory themselves and sank to the floor in deflation at the end. With its oval curves and all-encompassing athletics track this venue lacks the acoustic force that propelled England and Italy on Tuesday night. The stakes here were no lower, though, and the context a novelty. It has taken a colossal stretch, down the years, for Germany to be cast as plucky underdogs but they could make that case here. Christian Wück's weakened team spluttered through the group stage but located staggering depths of resolve in edging past France despite being a player short for 107 minutes. They would be required to 'suffer' to stand any chance of going one better, according to Wück. That was hardly rocket science: Spain's football has been several levels above the rest in a tournament high on drama but variable on technical quality. The world champions had barely been scratched in progressing this far, a shade of doubt perhaps offering itself in the time it took to puncture a resilient Switzerland in their quarter‑final on Friday. The Germany captain, Giulia Gwinn, a high-profile absentee since sustaining a competition‑ending knee injury against Poland, was again named among the substitutes and watched in full kit. She had no chance of taking active part but perhaps a 12th player would do no harm. In the event those on the pitch started brightly and should have been rewarded. The winger Klara Bühl had already caused flutters before, in the eighth minute, running clear down the inside-left channel from a long pass from Berger. Opportunity begged but, with Catalina Coll to beat, Bühl dragged her finish across goal. On the quarter-hour Bühl had another shot blocked. Germany were putting the yards in for Wück, breaking quickly and denying Spain any semblance of rhythm. When Esther González found a half-space in the box, a heavy touch saw her surrounded and the chance extinguished. She was booked for stopping the resulting counter but soon became involved more constructively. A snap shot from 15 yards forced Berger, hero of the quarter‑final, to tip over acrobatically; Spain, crowded out until then, had finally showed up. They came again, Berger gobbling up before Clàudia Pina could exploit an inventive free-kick routine. But it was Giovanna Hoffmann, the Germany centre-forward, who had more to rue when air-kicking from a superb position on the half-hour. Jule Brand had forced the opportunity with tricky work on the right; for all their uncertainties, Germany were posing plenty of the questions. In outmuscling Olga Carmona before she could enter the Germany box, Carlotta Wamser offered an accurate precis of events. Spain's threat is never fully dulled, though, and they turned the screw towards half-time. First Irene Paredes met a Pina corner and only Berger's right post kept the score level, the keeper rooted as the ball rebounded out. Then Berger was forced to deny González and Pina, both of whom had run in behind, in quick succession and Germany were relieved to cling on. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion This had been bright, intelligent fare: a notch superior to almost everything served up the previous night. Germany needed to retain a threat after the interval while bolting the door against opponents who could scent blood. Their support screamed for handball when another Bühl effort struck Paredes; there was no genuine case and they had better cause to be exercised when Berger took a hefty blow after another timely stop at Ona Batlle's marauding feet. Berger got up, which felt crucial given Spain had already scored nine second-half goals this summer. In the 58th minute she was thankful to a block from Sophia Kleinherne, who diverted the previously quiet Bonmatí's shot wide after Spain's most incisive move of the game. Nonetheless it was hardly as if Germany found themselves relentlessly pegged back. Bühl threatened yet again, Coll repelling her low drive. 'Sí se puede' ('Yes we can') rang out from the contingent behind Berger's goal, but as the minutes ticked down it was far from certain that Spain actually would. Montse Tomé rolled the dice, replacing González and Pina. Germany looked tired but it was only a remarkable double save from Coll, who denied Bühl and Wamser in rapid succession, that thwarted them at the end of normal time. Bonmatí would inflict the cruellest of blows with penalties looming.
Telegraph
6 days ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
Live Germany vs Spain live: Lineups and latest updates from Women's Euro 2025 semi-final
By Abby Rampling Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport's coverage of the second Euro 2025 semi-final. It's a tense game tonight, as an unbeaten Spain goes up against eight-time European champions Germany. The winning team will challenge England, the current title holders, for the trophy in the final this Sunday. But for now, two international heavyweights are preparing to go head-to-head. Spain have gone undefeated this tournament, with only three goals conceded and 16 scored, but they have never beaten Germany. Germany have conceded twice as many goals and scored less than half of Spain's total, solidifying the reigning world champions as the favourites to win. Despite being yet to claim a European title, they won the World Cup in 2023 and the Nations League in 2024, and are now looking to win their third piece of silverware in as many years. But what does defeating a team like France a player down send, if not a warning message? During Germany's quarter-final match against France they made it clear that they are not to be underestimated after claiming victory, despite Kathrin Hendrich being sent off for hair-pulling in the early minutes. Germany boss Christian Wück said: 'I can already promise that we will give Spain a tough battle, just as they will fight us with everything they have. Then we'll see who comes out on top in the end. I think [the win against France] will give us another huge mental boost. The girls really wanted to prove what they're made of and that we can overcome such setbacks and come back.' If Switzerland's efforts in the first half of their quarter-final match against Spain proved anything, it was that discipline and an organised defence is enough to keep Spain quiet. Now all that remains is to see if the German side is ready to step up to the task. Safe to say, we have the makings of a very interesting match here in Zurich. Kick-off is at 8pm.
CNET
6 days ago
- Sport
- CNET
How to Watch Germany vs. Spain From Anywhere for Free: Stream UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Semi-Final Soccer
World champions and tournament favorites Spain must overcome eight-time UEFA Women's Euro champions Germany today to claim a place in Sunday's showpiece final. Below, we'll outline the best live TV streaming services to watch this match as it happens, wherever you are in the world, and how to use a VPN if the game isn't available where you are. Today's game marks the first time the Spanish have reached the semi-finals of this tournament since 1997. They struggled to get past hosts Switzerland in Friday's quarterfinal, and they'll face a similarly dogged defence today. The Germans had an equally challenging route into today's semifinal clash. Christian Wück's team had to cope with 10 players for most of the quarterfinal with France, following defender Kathrin Hendrich's red card after just 12 minutes, before eventually prevailing on penalties. Germany takes on Spain on Wednesday, July 23, at the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. local time in Switzerland, which makes it a 3 p.m. ET or 12 p.m. PT start in the US and Canada. For soccer fans in the UK, it's an 8 p.m. BST kickoff, while it's a 5 a.m. AEST start in Australia on Thursday morning. Barcelona forward Claudia Pina scored the winning goal in Spain's 2-0 quarterfinal win over Switzerland. Noemi Llamas/SportsLivestream Germany vs. Spain in the US Soccer fans in the US can watch today's game on Fox. If you don't have Fox in your cable lineup, you can stream via Sling TV and Fubo. Sling/CNET Sling TV Watch Euro 2025 soccer on Fox Sling TV's Blue plan includes Fox and FS1, making it a great option for those wanting to watch international soccer action. Sling Blue normally costs $46 a month, but right now you can get your first month for just $23. See at Sling How to watch the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 online from anywhere using a VPN If you're traveling abroad and want to keep up with all the international soccer action while away from home, a VPN can help enhance your privacy and security when streaming. It encrypts your traffic and prevents your internet service provider from throttling your speeds. VPNs are legal in many countries, including the US and Canada, and can be used for legitimate purposes such as improving online privacy and security. They can also be helpful when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks while traveling, adding an extra layer of protection for your devices and logins. However, some streaming services may have policies restricting VPN use to access region-specific content. If you're considering a VPN for streaming, check the platform's terms of service to ensure compliance. If you choose to use a VPN, follow the provider's installation instructions, ensuring you're connected securely and in compliance with applicable laws and service agreements. Some streaming platforms may block access when a VPN is detected, so verifying if your streaming subscription allows VPN use is crucial. James Martin/CNET ExpressVPN Best VPN for streaming Price $13 per month, $100 for the first 15 months (then $117 per year) or $140 for the first 28 months (then $150 per year) Latest Tests No DNS leaks detected, 18% speed loss in 2025 tests Network 3,000 plus servers in 105 countries Jurisdiction British Virgin Islands ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN and it works on a variety of devices. It's normally $13 a month but if you sign up for an annual subscription for $100 you'll get three months free and save 49%. That's the equivalent of $6.67 a month. Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. 61% off with 2yr plan (+4 free months) See at Livestream England vs. Italy for free in the UK The great news for footy fans in the UK is that free-to-air broadcasters the BBC and ITV are sharing live duties for Euro 2025. This second semifinal is set to be shown live on BBC1, with coverage starting at 7:30 p.m. That also means you'll be able to stream the action online via BBC iPlayer. BBC BBC Watch Women's Euro 2025 in the UK for free With matches being broadcast on BBC1, that means you'll be able to watch games online for free via the network's on-demand streaming service, BBC iPlayer. With an app that's available for Android and Apple mobile devices, as well as a vast array of smart TVs and streaming boxes, all you need is a valid UK TV license to stream the game. See at BBC Livestream England vs. Italy in Canada Live coverage of this summer's tournament will be available to watch in Canada via TSN, which means you'll also be able to stream all the action via the network's online platform, TSN Plus. Livestream England vs. Italy in Australia Football fans down under can watch the Euros on streaming service Optus Sport. Optus Optus Sport Watch international soccer in Australia from AU$7 a month With exclusive live broadcast rights to a number of top flight European leagues as well as international fixtures, streaming service Optus Sport is a particularly big draw for Aussie soccer fans. If you're already an Optus network customer you can bag Optus Sport for a reduced price of AU$10 a month. If you're not, a standalone monthly subscription to the service starts at AU$25. See at Optus Sport Quick tips for streaming UEFA Women's Euro 2025 soccer using a VPN
