'tournament Team' Germany Believe They Can Shock Spain

"We telephone it German mentality."

That is really Germany's gritty quarter-final triumph against France was summed up connected societal media.

They played for much than 100 minutes pinch 10 players aft Kathrin Hendrich was sent disconnected and conceded a punishment for pulling Griege Mbock by her hairsbreadth successful nan box.

But Christian Wuck's broadside remained resolute arsenic they held disconnected France to unit other clip and past penalties.

They reached Wednesday's semi-final against Spain erstwhile goalkeeper Ann Katrin-Berger capped a heroic capacity by redeeming Alice Sombath's spot-kick.

One German newspaper called it "the occurrence of Basel", referencing nan 1954 men's World Cup final, erstwhile West Germany fought backmost from 2 goals down to upset dense favourites Hungary - who were unbeaten successful 5 years - successful Bern.

Germany defender Rebecca Knaak said nan capacity was nan "perfect illustration for passion and intelligence strength".

Sophie Affeldt, a newsman for German tv transmission Sport1, added: "The squad showed nan emblematic German mentality that has possibly been somewhat mislaid successful caller years."

But what is German mentality and really did their monumental show against France alteration perceptions astir their title hopes?

Before nan tourney started, Wuck said: "I americium convinced we will person a bully title but it besides depends connected luck and staying injury-free."

Germany person had neither a fortunate aliases injury-free clip successful Switzerland.

Just 40 minutes into their opening crippled against Poland, their skipper Giulia Gwinn near nan section successful tears aft suffering a superior knee wounded that has ruled her retired for nan remainder of nan tournament.

Against Sweden, Gwinn's right-back replacement Carlotta Wamser was sent disconnected successful nan 31st minute, receiving a consecutive reddish paper for a goalline artifact pinch her hands.

Germany went connected to suffer 4-1, pinch Sweden topping Group C up of them.

"In nan group shape of nan tourney nan intelligence spot of nan German squad was often called into question, particularly aft nan conclusion against Sweden," said Charlotte Bruch, a newsman for German newspaper Tagesspiegel.

With Gwinn retired and Wamser suspended for their crippled against France, Sarai Linder was moved from her normal left-back domiciled to play connected nan correct - but that excessively was short-lived arsenic she was replaced aft conscionable 20 minutes pinch an ankle injury.

"It says a batch astir nan squad that we accepted each business arsenic they came along," Knaak said.

"There were truthful galore different and different situations and we adapted, we accepted those situations and we supported each other."

Under nan caller activity of Wuck - who took complaint successful October - and a new-look youthful squad, Germany arrived astatine Euro 2025 pinch humble expectations.

Statistics experts Opta said they, on pinch France, had a 15% chance of winning nan title, pinch Spain and England listed arsenic nan favourites.

"Germany weren't seen arsenic a title favourite owed to nan truth nan squad is successful a authorities of upheaval," Affeldt added.

"After nan disappointing consequence astatine nan World Cup successful 2023, starring players specified arsenic Alexander Popp person retired from nan nationalist squad and location are besides immoderate caller faces now for illustration Franziska Kett, Rebecca Knaak aliases Giovanna Hoffmann."

Bruch explained location were besides concerns complete Germany's defence and an evident over-reliance connected flair players for illustration Jule Brand and Klara Buhl.

Affeldt said fans had "lost faith" aft Germany's conclusion against Sweden, pinch galore reasoning it confirmed their pre-tournament doubts.

"But it has now been rekindled," she said. "Now galore group deliberation that winning nan title mightiness beryllium imaginable aft all, moreover if location are teams pinch moreover amended players."

Bruch agrees location is much belief among Germany fans, adding: "The belief successful winning nan title has grown importantly owed to nan measurement Germany performed, pinch this sheer willpower and awesome fighting spirit.

"It showed that Christian Wuck's squad has developed a definite resilience, ne'er gives up and is tin of turning a crippled around."

Of course, Germany are not strangers to awesome tourney success.

The women's squad are eight-time winners of nan European Championship and person their sanction etched connected 2 World Cup trophies.

The men's squad person enjoyed akin glory, triumphing astatine 4 World Cups and 3 Euros arsenic either Germany aliases West Germany.

"In Germany we ever opportunity nan German squad is simply a 'tournament team' - they thin to play themselves into a travel and get amended and better, particularly erstwhile it counts," Affeldt said.

Bruch added: "I deliberation galore players successful Germany turn up pinch a definite 'winning mentality'. The occurrence of nan nationalist teams - some men's and women's - shapes their self-image."

However, nan state has not won a awesome tourney successful either men's aliases women's shot successful much than 11 years.

Yet Spain caput coach Montse Tome is nether nary allusions astir Germany's mentality.

"Germany are ever Germany," she said. "Eight European trophies and their principle is nan aforesaid sloppy of who is starring nan team."