Latest news with #KathrinHendrich
Telegraph
a day 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.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Tournament team' Germany believe they can shock Spain
"We call it German mentality."That is how Germany's gritty quarter-final triumph against France was summed up on social played for more than 100 minutes with 10 players after Kathrin Hendrich was sent off and conceded a penalty for pulling Griege Mbock by her hair in the Christian Wuck's side remained resolute as they held off France to force extra time and then reached Wednesday's semi-final against Spain when goalkeeper Ann Katrin-Berger capped a heroic performance by saving Alice Sombath's German newspaper called it "the miracle of Basel", referencing the 1954 men's World Cup final when West Germany fought back from two goals down to upset heavy favourites Hungary - who were unbeaten in five years - in defender Rebecca Knaak said the performance was the "perfect example for passion and mental strength".Sophie Affeldt, a reporter for German television channel Sport1, added: "The team showed the typical German mentality that has perhaps been somewhat lost in recent years."But what is German mentality and how did their monumental display against France change perceptions about their title hopes? 'So many unusual situations' Before the tournament started, Wuck said: "I am convinced we will have a good competition but it also depends on luck and staying injury-free."Germany have had neither a lucky or injury-free time in 40 minutes into their opening game against Poland, their captain Giulia Gwinn left the field in tears after suffering a serious knee injury that has ruled her out for the rest of the Sweden, Gwinn's right-back replacement Carlotta Wamser was sent off in the 31st minute, receiving a straight red for a goalline block with her went on to lose 4-1, with Sweden topping Group C ahead of them."In the group stage of the tournament the mental strength of the German team was often called into question, especially after the defeat against Sweden," said Charlotte Bruch, a reporter for German newspaper Gwinn out and Wamser suspended for their game against France, Sarai Linder was moved from her normal left-back role to play on the right - but that too was short-lived as she was hauled off after just 20 minutes with an ankle injury."It says a lot about the team that we accepted every situation as they came along," Knaak said."There were so many different and unusual situations and we adapted, we accepted those situations and we supported each other." Has 'epic game' changed perceptions? Under the new leadership of Wuck - who took charge in October - and a new-look youthful squad, Germany arrived at Euro 2025 with modest experts Opta said they, along with France, had a 15% chance of winning the title, with Spain and England listed as the favourites."Germany weren't seen as a title favourite due to the fact the team is in a state of upheaval," Affeldt added."After the disappointing result at the World Cup in 2023, leading players such as Alexander Popp have retired from the national team and there are also some new faces now like Franziska Kett, Rebecca Knaak or Giovanna Hoffmann."Bruch explained there were also concerns over Germany's defence and an apparent over-reliance on flair players like Jule Brand and Klara Buhl. Affeldt said fans had "lost faith" after Germany's defeat against Sweden, with many thinking it confirmed their pre-tournament doubts."But it has now been rekindled," she said. "Now many people think that winning the title might be possible after all, even if there are teams with even better players."Bruch agrees there is more belief among Germany fans, adding: "The belief in winning the title has grown significantly due to the way Germany performed, with this sheer willpower and great fighting spirit."It showed that Christian Wuck's team has developed a certain resilience, never gives up and is capable of turning a game around." 'Germany are always Germany' Of course, Germany are not strangers to major tournament women's team are eight-time winners of the European Championship and have their name etched on two World Cup men's team have enjoyed similar glory, triumphing at four World Cups and three Euros."In Germany we always say the German team is a 'tournament team' - they tend to play themselves into a flow and get better and better, especially when it counts," Affeldt added: "I think many players in Germany grow up with a certain 'winning mentality'. The success of the national teams - both men's and women's - shapes their self-image."However, the country has not won a major tournament in either men's or women's football in more than 11 Spain head coach Montse Tome is under no allusions about Germany's mentality."Germany are always Germany," she said. "Eight European trophies and their essence is the same regardless of who is leading the team."
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Where will Germany v Spain semi-final be won and lost?
It is not often that Germany are the underdogs, but they will be when they take on Spain for a place in the Euro 2025 have never reached the final of a Women's European Championship before, but the the 2023 World Cup winners have excelled throughout this tournament and are the only remaining unbeaten team in winners Germany, meanwhile, face potential issues with squad depth, suffered a big defeat in the group stage, and had to come from behind against France - down to 10 players for most of the game - to win on Spain, who beat Switzerland 2-0 in the last eight, have lost their past two meetings with their Euro 2025 semi-final approaches, BBC Sport analyses the key areas which could prove the difference and who is more likely to come out on top. Styles of play will clash While Spain have played expansive, possession-based football throughout Euro 2025, it has been a different story for to be defensive against France after Kathrin Hendrich was sent off in the 13th minute, they finished their quarter-final having had just 25.6% a level was lower than usual for Germany, but even in games where the dynamics are different they have not focused as much on holding the have averaged 73.5% possession, the most of any side at Euro 2025, while Germany have averaged 53.6%, the passing accuracy - along with number of passes into the final third and total passes - are also the best of any team at the average, they have created the third-highest number of big chances, while Germany are ranked manager Christian Wuck said his side "will suffer" and have limited possession on Wednesday, but they will work to "find the right moments". His side's best chance is to find ways to attack on the break, but they will probably have to endure lots of time without the ball."I think everyone knows the Spanish players," Wuck said. "They play the same sort of football, short passes. I think we will chase them a lot, we won't have a lot of possession and we will suffer but we have to find the right moments and to take advantage of the right moments to push our game." Can Germany's depleted squad cope with Spain's depth? Germany must recover from the physical demands of a quarter-final in which they were a player short for 107 minutes, and they must do so with fewer players is suspended following her red card, while Chelsea midfielder Sjoeke Nusken is banned after receiving two Germany are severely lacking in full-backs: Sarai Linder is out of the rest of the tournament with ankle ligament damage sustained against France and captain Giulia Gwinn has been sidelined since picking up an injury in their opening group may be an issue across the board for Germany, but they are boosted by Carlotta Wamser's return from have nearly all of their squad available, with only suspended defender Laia Aleixandri unable to take part on Tome's side also benefit from having had an extra day to rest and key advantage for Spain will be their squad depth, with an ample number of high-quality players available to bring off the depth has proved important at Euro 2025, with Athenea del Castillo coming on and breaking the deadlock in their quarter-final victory over while Germany have not had as long to prepare, Tome believes they will "compete to the limit".She said: "Germany are always good physically, they are a strong team, they are good in defence and attack. They are probably tired because they had a player less but these kinds of things are not something we can control." Can Spain's attacking threat be stopped? Spain have been rampant at Euro 2025. No team has scored as many goals, or produced as many expected have been dominant in the final third in all of their fixtures, controlling the ball in the opposition's half and creating total, they have scored 16 goals in four matches, beating Portugal 5-0 and Belgium Gonzalez has netted four, making her the top scorer at Euro 2025, while Alexia Putellas has scored three and provided four have had nine different scorers, while Germany's six goals have come from just three dominance of the ball, combined with relentless pressing in the final third, suggests Germany can expect a test of endurance."We'll try to have the possession, but what may be different is how we will do it," Tome said. "Their defence is different; during the tournament, they've changed things. We see where they can leave spaces and from there we work out how we will attack those spaces."We need to have the ball and then with the space we will attack - but Spain need to have the ball." Who will win the midfield battle? While Spain have dominated in the opposing half, Germany have focused their efforts down the Brand has scored two and assisted two of Germany's six goals, playing mainly out wide but also moving inside when will aim to prevent Germany gaining possession in the middle of the pitch and threatening down the flanks."We want to have control of the game," Spain midfielder Putellas said. "We understand this means keeping the ball most of the time."Evidence from previous fixtures suggests Spain can control play down the Germany will take hope from the way Switzerland caused Spain problems out wide in their to that game, former England midfielder Izzy Christiansen said Spain will "know they have to improve".She added: "You wonder if Spain had been playing a higher-level team, would they have put on a higher-level performance?"They were forced into mistakes by the Switzerland shape and their attitude and body language wasn't great, and when you get into that state of mind you're not in control."
Forbes
2 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Kathrin Hendrich Eligible For UEFA Women's Euro Final After Hair-Pull
BASEL, SWITZERLAND - JULY 19: Kathrin Hendrich of Germany reacts, as she is shown a red card by ... More Referee Tess Olofsson, as Ann-Katrin Berger and Rebecca Knaak of Germany look on during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Quarter-Final match between France and Germany at St. Jakob-Park on July 19, 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Molly Darlington - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) Suspended German defender Kathrin Hendrich has been cleared to play in the UEFA Women's Euro final should her team defeat world champions Spain tomorrow night. 0ut of the semi-final with an automatic one-match suspension for her red card in Saturday's quarter-final against France, Hendrich could have had her punishment extended by the UEFA Disciplinary and Ethics Committee. Earlier in the tournament, Spanish captain Irene Paredes missed her team's opening game of the competition after having her suspension for a straight red card extended. In their 'booking list' published before each matchday at the tournament, Hendrich's name was marked with an asterisk with the qualification 'suspended for at least one match (subject to pending decision by disciplinary bodies).' The German FA had until 11am today to submit a written statement in defence of Hendrich ahead of the decision by the Disciplinary Committee. UEFA has confirmed to me today that she will face no further action and Hendrich could yet play in her second successive final in the competition. Making her first start of the competition after two previous substitute appearances, Hendrich was shown a straight card by referee Tess Olofsson in the 13th minute of the quarter-final following a review by the Video Assistant Referee. The 33-year-old defender was caught pulling the hair of French captain Griedge Mbock Bathy as the pair jostled for position at a free kick. A penalty was also awarded to France. BASEL, SWITZERLAND - JULY 19: Kathrin Hendrich of Germany pulls the hair of Griedge Mbock Bathy of ... More France, leading to a red card decision during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Quarter-Final match between France and Germany at St. Jakob-Park on July 19, 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by) Despite falling behind and playing with one woman fewer for almost two hours, Germany equalised and took the match to extra time and, eventually, a penalty shoot-out. The eight-time European champions then maintained their historic superiority over the French women in major tournaments by defeating them for a sixth time out of six. Germany's sporting director for the women's game Nia Künzer defended her player speaking to reporters after the game. 'She was looking in a completely different direction and got her hands caught in her hair. She did not grab her hair intentionally. We definitely want to emphasize that there was no intent. She was, of course, very disappointed but also relieved that the game ended the way it did.' Sjoeke Nüsken, the scorer of Germany's goal against France, is also suspended for tomorrow's game after receiving her second yellow card of the tournament. The Chelsea midfielder will also be free to return to make her 50th international appearance if Germany overcome Spain to reach Sunday's final. BASEL, SWITZERLAND - JULY 19: Sjoeke Nusken of Germany (C) is given yellow card by referee Tess ... More Olofsson (R) as Griedge Mbock of France (L) looks on during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Quarter-Final match between France and Germany at St. Jakob-Park on July 19, 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Noemi Llamas/Sports) Hendrich is one of four potential right backs that Germany has lost to injury and suspension during this competition. They were already missing their first-choice in that position, their captain, Giulia Gwinn. The FC Bayern star was injured in the Germans opening match against Poland and was ruled out of the tournament with a medial ligament injury to her left knee. Sarai Linder sustained a capsular ligament injury to her left ankle in the game against France. She has definitely been ruled out of tomorrow's semi-final against Spain and may not recover in time for the final on Sunday. However, another potential right back Carlotta Wamser, who was suspended from the quarter-final after her red card in the final group game against Sweden, is eligible to return tomorrow. Hendrich has just left the Frauen Bundesliga to join Chicago Stars FC in the NWSL on two-year contract. A former UEFA Women's Champions League winner with 1. FFC Frankfurt in 2015, she is appearing at her third successive UEFA Women's Euro and played the entire final in 2022 losing in extra time to England at Wembley Stadium. She was also an alternate when Germany won Gold at the 2016 Women's Football Olympic Tournament in 2016.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Germany team director defends Hendrich for ponytail pull
Germany team director Nia Künzer has defended Kathrin Hendrich for the hair-pulling incident which led to her early red card in the European Championship quarter-final win against France. The record champions won on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Basel on Saturday after being forced to play with 10 players for almost 120 minutes including stoppage time. Hendrich, whose offence also led to France's goal from the penalty spot, was penalized on video review for tugging on the ponytail of Griedge Mbock Bathy. "She was looking in a completely different direction and got her hands caught in her hair. She did not grab her hair intentionally," Künzer told reporters on Sunday. "We definitely want to emphasize that there was no intent. She was, of course, very disappointed but also relieved that the game ended the way it did." Many pundits saw the incident very differently to Künzer. "Pulling hair is like slapping someone," former Switzerland player Kathrin Lehmann said on ZDF. "That's a straight red card. And because it happened in the penalty area, it's also a penalty." Ex-Germany coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg told Swiss broadcaster SRF: "The rules are clear. Pulling hair, the intensity, the intent: red card. There is no other decision." The 57-year-old added that Hendrich had experienced a "blackout." Hendrich's Euro 2025 could be over if UEFA imposes a suspension of more than one match. As well as Hendrich missing the semi-final against world champions Spain on Wednesday, coach Christian Wück will have to manage without midfielder Sjoeke Nüsken, who is suspended after receiving her second yellow card. Full back Sarai Linder, who was substituted due to injury, may also be unavailable. Regular captain and right back Giulia Gwinn is out of the tournament with a knee ligament injury. Gwinn's previous replacement, right back Carlotta Wamser, will be available again after serving her red card suspension from the 4-1 group loss to Sweden.
