Latest news with #semi-finals
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Putellas and Spain eager to end Germany hoodoo in Women's Euro semi-final
Alexia Putellas and Spain take on Germany in the semi-finals of the Women's Euros on Wednesday (Fabrice COFFRINI) Spain are determined to end a miserable past record against Germany when the sides meet in the last four of the Women's Euro 2025 on Wednesday, with midfield star Alexia Putellas setting her sights on more history for the World Cup holders. "We are really happy to be in this position. We go into the game full of hope and of course with confidence in ourselves," Putellas told reporters in Zurich on the eve of the semi-final clash. Advertisement Having won the World Cup in 2023, Spain are now looking to add a first European Championship title and confirm their status as the dominant side in international women's football. While Spain have never been European champions, Germany have a record eight continental crowns and were the leading force in the women's game in the first decade of this century. "We know Germany are one of the best teams in the world and that it will be very difficult, but we will try to get to our first Euro final first of all -- that would be a big success," said Putellas. Spain have never beaten Germany, notably losing when the teams met in the group stage of the 2019 World Cup and at the last Euros in 2022. Advertisement Germany also came out on top in the bronze medal match at last year's Olympics, but Putellas dismissed suggestions that Wednesday's clash would be about revenge for that. "Personally I see it more as an opportunity for us rather than it being about revenge for the Olympics," said the former Ballon d'Or winner. "The Olympics is a totally different competition. I think we all agree that a Euro or World Cup is a different context altogether so you can't compare them. "But yes we lost against them, and now we have the chance to beat them for the first time." She added: "We know it will be a very difficult game like any semi-final in a major tournament but we are fully motivated to keep advancing and make more history." Advertisement Spain are without centre-back Laia Aleixandri due to suspension, while Sjoeke Nuesken and Kathrin Hendrich are banned for Germany, the latter following her red card in the quarter-final win over France on penalties. Sarai Linder is injured after coming off early on in that game. "Everyone knows what Spain are like. We are going to have to run a lot and suffer a lot because they are going to have more of the ball," admitted Germany coach Christian Wueck. pm-as/nf
The Guardian
a day ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
England v Italy: Women's Euro 2025 semi-final
England haven't brought their best stuff to Euro 2025 yet. Beaten by France, outplayed by Sweden, fortunate to get away with a few missed penalties … and yet here the Lionesses are, in the semi-finals, one step away from the big one. The reigning champions and World Cup finalists have tournament smarts, talent and determination to spare, so if they finally click into gear, well, Europe watch out. They've got a good record against Italy, winning their last two matches against Le Azzurre to the cumulative score of 7-2. So Sarina Wiegman's women go into this match as favourites. But Italy are on a high, having reached this stage for the first time since 1997, seeing off a very good Sweden team, and Wiegman isn't taking anything for granted. 'We will have to be at our very, very best to win,' she says. Kick-off in Geneva is at 8pm UK time. It's on!
The Independent
a day ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Germany vs Spain prediction & best bets: La Roja too good for Wounded Germans
World champions Spain take on Germany in the semi-finals of Euro 2025 on Wednesday, with both sides looking to make a landmark final in Basel on Sunday (8pm, BBC One). Spain have never made it to the final of this competition, but are the red hot favourites on betting sites to win it for the first time, adding to the World Cup that they won in 2023, with La Roja having emerged as the world's dominant side in recent years. Contrastingly, Germany are looking to make back-to-back finals in this competition, having won it a record eight times, though their status as the continent's dominant side has faded since their early-90s-to-mid-2010s heyday, in which DFB-Frauenteam won an exceptional six titles in a row. In a similar vein to the men's side of 2008 to 2014, a golden generation of players has emerged for Spain, including multiple Ballon d'Or winners Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati, and they look to have improved even since that 2023 World Cup triumph. Football betting sites aren't giving much hope of an upset based on the Euro 2025 odds for the game, but it would be foolish to completely dismiss that gritty Germany side that dug deep to see off France in the quarter-finals. Germany vs Spain betting preview: Germans can go down fighting Spain have rarely been troubled on their run to the semi-finals of Euro 2025, barring a short period in the 3-1 win over Italy. A 6-2 win over Belgium and 5-0 victory against Portugal demonstrated that La Roja can dismantle lesser teams almost at will, though they struggled to break the deadlock against Switzerland last time out before a moment of genius from Bonmati unlocked the Swiss defence. In truth, they are yet to face a team of Germany's calibre at Euro 2025, and the Germans will take heart from both the Swiss performance last week and their own remarkable win against France. That over the French came at a cost though with Germany's options depleted by Sarai Linder suffering a tournament-ending ankle injury, while Sjoeke Nusken and Kathrin Hendrich are suspended. We expect Spain to win this one fairly comfortably in the end, with Germany's 4-1 loss to Sweden perhaps a better indicator of how they'll get on against better sides. Spain have only conceded three goals at the tournament so far, but the fact that Italy and Belgium breached them indicates the underdogs may have some joy in front of goal and make the scoreline look competitive. Germany vs Spain prediction 1: Spain to win, both teams to score - 2/1 Bet365 Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas was once the poster girl for women's football, and though teammate Aitana Bonmati has perhaps taken over that mantle, it's Putellas who has produced the most eye-catching performances of the tournament so far. Her status in the side was unclear recently after her return from an ACL injury that kept her out of this tournament in 2022, though she returned in time to play her part in the victorious World Cup campaign, and has now snatched back her place in the Spanish midfield three. The 31-year-old has three goals and four assists across her four appearances at the tournament, playing a key role is every game so far, and we don't expect that to change this week. Sports betting can be enjoyable, but it's important to stay in control and gamble responsibly. Whether you are using the best online casino, slot sites, poker sites, or online bookmakers, responsible gambling should always be a priority. All licensed gambling sites in the UK are required to provide tools such as deposit limits, time-outs, self-exclusion, and self-assessment questionnaires. These are designed to help you manage your activity and protect your well-being. Many operators, including online bookmakers and new casino sites, will offer free bets or a casino bonus. While these can be tempting, it is vital to read the terms and conditions of any offer before taking part. If you are concerned about your gambling behaviour, support is available from:
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
The lowdown on UEFA Women's EURO 2025: Day 17
The EURO 2025 semi-finals are here and the first finalist will be confirmed on Tuesday evening. Here's what to expect from day 17 of the tournament in Switzerland. Before we get into today's action, what happened last time out? ⏮️ 📸 SEBASTIEN BOZON - AFP or licensors Germany, finalists in 2022, went head to head with France in their quarter-final clash in Basel. France initially took the lead in the first half as Grace Geyoro calmly converted from the penalty spot, after Kathrin Hendrich was shown a straight red card for pulling Griedge Mbock's hair. Sjoeke Nüsken put Germany back on level terms in the first half but neither side was able to find that all important winner in the second half or in extra-time. Ultimately, the game went to penalties and Germany narrowly edged out France 6-5 to progress into the semi-finals. Who is playing today? 👀The first semi-final tie will see current holders England take on Italy in Geneva. The Lionesses booked their place in the last four with a penalty shootout triumph over Sweden, despite finding themselves 2-0 down at half-time. Italy, on the other hand, produced a narrow 2-1 win over Norway in their quarter-final clash to reach the latter stages. Player to watch 🔎 It's fair to say few have been more impactful at this tournament for England than Michelle Agyemang. The teenager only made her senior Lionesses debut back in April, when she scored a stunning volley against Belgium in the Nations League. Here in Switzerland, she has been one of Sarina Wiegman's go-to players off the bench, and she proved exactly why in the quarter-final against Sweden last week. Her perfectly taken goal in the second half put the Lionesses back on level terms in the tie, ensuring they could take things to extra-time, before they eventually triumphed on penalties. Key storyline 🔑 📸 Charlotte Wilson - 2025 Getty Images Italy have, undoubtedly, been one of the feel good stories at this summer's EUROs. Heading into this tournament, the Azzurre hadn't qualified for the semi-finals of the competition since the late 90s, having only made it as far as the quarter-finals in 2009 and 2013. In the last two European championships, Italy failed to even make it out of their group. Which is why you could see exactly what it meant to Cristiana Girelli, when her double against Norway ensured their place in the final four for the first time in over two decades. Overcoming reigning champions England will be a tough ask for Italy but their impressive run thus far speaks for itself. Must-watch video 🎥 It may have little relevance to this evening's game in Geneva but one of the moments of the tournament so far is Ann-Katrin Berger's remarkable stop against France in the quarter-finals. Germany spent the majority of that game up against it, due to being a player down, but the goalkeeper's late save to keep out a misdirected headed clearance, which appeared to be heading into the back of the net, was simply unbelievable. Fun facts 📊 Italy have lost just one of their last seven matches heading into this tie. England have won seven of their last 10 games in all competitions against Italy (D1 L2), that said, they've lost each of the two head-to-heads at the EUROs, in 1987 and 2009 respectively. England are the first reigning champions to reach a EUROs semi-final since Germany back in 2013, and on the last five occasions the reigning champions have featured in the semi-finals, they have gone on to reach the final. Our prediction 🔮 England 2-1 Italy 📸 Eddie Keogh - 2025 Getty Images
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Del Castillo and Spain 'full of hope' ahead of Germany Euro 2025 semi
From being a bit-part player in the team that won the Women's World Cup two years ago, Athenea del Castillo has performed a key role in Spain's run to the semi-finals of Euro 2025, in which they will face Germany on Wednesday. The Real Madrid attacker, 24, was brought into Spain's starting line-up for their last group game against Italy and scored an early equaliser before her team went on to win 3-1. She was then relegated back to the bench for the last-eight tie against hosts Switzerland in Bern but the game changed after her introduction as a substitute just past the hour mark. Del Castillo replaced Mariona Caldentey and broke the deadlock four minutes later, setting Spain up for a 2-0 victory -- and surely giving coach Montse Tome a selection headache for the clash with Germany in Zurich. "I have to just focus on the things that I can influence. Luckily I am managing to help the team whatever my role is, whether I am starting or not," Del Castillo told AFP at the Spanish team's base in Lausanne. A win for Spain against Germany will keep them on track to add a first ever European crown to the World Cup they won in 2023, when they defeated England in the final. "We are full of hope, we are so excited. We dream of being European champions but to do that we need to win on Wednesday so all our energy is going into that game," Del Castillo said. "We know all about the potential in the Germany team. They are a great side who have been European champions eight times after all." Spain still lean heavily on the players who won them the World Cup, notably Ballon d'Or Aitana Bonmati as well as her fellow Barcelona stars Alexia Putellas and Irene Paredes. But Del Castillo, while not yet a guaranteed starter, has become a more important player than during that tournament in Australia and New Zealand. Then, under previous coach Jorge Vilda, she started the team's first match before gradually disappearing from circulation. She then featured in the side that participated in the 2024 Olympics and lost to Germany in the bronze medal match -- a defeat they will seek to avenge on Wednesday. - Infectious - "We have been through so much together and that has helped us mature as a team," she said on the margins of a training session by Lake Geneva. "I still see myself as one of the youngsters even though there are players much younger than me like Vicky (Lopez) and Maite (Zubieta), and then there are older players like Irene and Alexia who have been around longer and been to so many more tournaments. "We have that mix of youth and experience, of joy but also maturity." Del Castillo is known for her glowing smile and infectious personality, and she has no intention of changing even as she becomes more and more recognisable thanks to her exploits with Spain and Real. "I have not changed much. I still do the same things, I still try to enjoy life and luckily everything is going well at home, with my family and friends," said the native of Cantabria in northern Spain. "I am very happy in Madrid -- I prefer the north but I like Madrid as a city. I love to go out for a wander, listen to music, be with my family. "If I changed what I did off the pitch that would also change me on it and I don't like that because then I would lose my essence." Despite still being at a relatively tender age, the player who idolised Cristiano Ronaldo growing up now has over 60 caps and is conscious of being a leader in the Spain squad. "I know how to differentiate between moments when you have to work and times when you can give a little bit of joy," she said, before suggesting that the side has improved since losing to Germany at last year's Olympics. "I think we have matured a lot since then. We are better at controlling games in different moments now. I think that will help us, but it will above all be about staying calm and focusing on our objective." pm-as/bsp
