Germany aim to build on fundamentals of France win

Germany's comeback victory over France at Euro 2025 has provided the team with a solid foundation ahead of their semi-final versus Spain, says Rebecca Knaak. 

Germany had Kathrin Hendrich sent off in the 13th minute of their quarter-final clash after pulling the hair of Griedge Mbock, with Grace Geyoro scoring the resulting penalty. 

But Christian Wueck's side hauled themselves level 10 minutes later through Sjoeke Nusken, who went on to miss a spot-kick of her own 21 minutes from time. 

With the game still level after extra time, Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger proved to be the hero, saving two penalties to send her side through to the final four. 

Germany have reached the semi-finals of the Euros for the seventh time since the format changed to introduce the group stage in 1997, two more times than any other nation, but they will face their sternest test yet against Spain on Wednesday. 

Germany have lost five of their last nine knockout matches at major tournaments (W3 D1), but they have emerged victorious from both previous meetings with Spain at either the Euros or the World Cup, without conceding a goal.

And ahead of the clash at Stadion Letzigrund, Knaak believes Germany's triumph over France has given the team the confidence they need to reach the final. 

"Really, it's the perfect example for passion, strength, mental strength, all these things that are characteristics that we possess," Knaak told a press conference.

"Of course, on a tactical basis, we are prepared by the coach and the team, but the basic, fundamental characteristics have been built for the Spanish in the French match."

First of all, Germany boss Wueck is hoping his side can keep 11 players on the pitch, having also seen Carlotta Wamser sent off in a 4-1 group-stage loss to Sweden.

Against France, Hendrich received the earliest ever dismissal in a Women's Euros game (12:21), with Germany becoming the first team in the tournament's history to receive two red cards in the same edition.

And Wueck acknowledged that his side may not see much of the ball against the reigning world champions. 

Spain are averaging 620 completed passes per game so far at Euro 2025, the most on record by a team at a Euros or Women's World Cup tournament (since 2011).

La Roja have had 30 shots after a sequence of 10 or more passes in this edition of the competition, at least 20 more than any other nation heading into the semi-finals (Germany and England both have 10).

"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 take advantage of the right moments to push our game," Wueck said.

"We are strong in possession, and this is going to be the big difference, because we want to play on the ball."

Germany have also had to contend with several injuries, including to captain Giulia Gwinn, something Knaak believes has brought the squad closer together. 

"I think it says a lot about the team that we accepted every situation as it came along," Knaak added.

"There's so many different, unusual situations, and we adapted, we accepted those situations, and we supported each other. 

"And at the end, it doesn't really matter who plays next to whom. We are a team, and we have the squad exactly for those reasons, so that we can adapt."