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All appeared to be going well for Christian Wück’s German women’s national team in their final Euro 2025 group stage fixture against Sweden on Saturday evening. Jule Brand put the DFB-Frauen ahead with her second goal of the tournament in the 7th-minute. Unfortunately, not helped at all by a 32nd-minute red card, the Swedish women scored four answered goals to take both the match and the group.
The player sent off on a straight red for handling a ball on the goal-line was none other than the right-back Germany were pinning most of their tournament hopes on. Carlotta Wamser – the designated replacement for injured squad captain Giulia Gwinn – may not make another appearance for Germany in the competition. The new Bayer 04 Leverkusen signing must sit out the quarterfinals.
There are nevertheless some silver linings for the German Frauennationalmannschaft. Firstly, the results of Sunday’s final group stage fixtures confirm that Germany will at least not have to face their old nemesis England, who defeated them in the 2023 European Championship Final at Wembley. The French are certainly no easy task, but have looked vulnerable at times in their undefeated tournament run.
Secondly, Wamser remains lucky that Sweden’s Fridolina Rolfö converted the 34th minute penalty. Had Sweden not capitalized on Wamser’s error, a two-match-ban for handling a ball on the line would have been issued. Wück’s team may not have captured the group, but can still dream of their first European title since 2013. At the very least, the embarrassment of the 2023 Women’s World Cup group stage exit is forgotten.
The mood around the DFB camp on the day after the loss was somber, yet hopeful. After a short regeneration session, newly elevated vice captain Sjoeke Nüsken spoke to members of the press. Nüsken – who served as the hero in the second group stage victory over Denmark – confirmed that Wück had given his charges the rest of the day and Monday off.
The quarterfinal match doesn’t take place until Saturday.
“It was a short night,” Nüsken told members of the press. “At least it was for me. There were others who slept better. I think I slept about four hours. We sat together this morning as a team. I think it was important that we talked things over together ahead of this day-and-a-half of rest; before we switch off and forget about football for a little while
“We’ll attack it again on Tuesday,” Nüsken continued. “We’ll discuss a few things we need to take care of. Obviously [due to Wamser’s suspension] there will be changes. The goals that we conceded against Sweden weren’t merely a matter of bad luck. We were often a step too late against Denmark as well.”
Some of the German women found grounds for optimism last night. Newly elevated captain Janina Minge emphasized that “It probably doesn’t make much difference whether we play the group winners or the runners-up.” Goal-scorer Brand let it be known that the start was “great‘.
“If we slip up like this, then at least the timing is okay,” Brand also added.
“You’d rather not have a day like this at a European Championship,” starter Laura Freigang – subbed off for tactical reasons after the red card – noted. “But I’d rather have it today than any other day.”
GGFN | Peter Weis
