All appeared to be going well for Christian W\u00fcck\u2019s German women\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/a> Carlotta Wamser \u2013 the designated replacement for injured squad captain Giulia Gwinn<\/a> \u2013 may not make another appearance for Germany in the competition. The new Bayer 04 Leverkusen signing must sit out the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n There are nevertheless some silver linings for the German Frauennationalmannschaft.\u00a0Firstly, the results of Sunday\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Secondly, Wamser remains lucky that Sweden\u2019s Fridolina Rolf\u00f6 converted the 34th minute penalty. Had Sweden not capitalized on Wamser\u2019s error, a two-match-ban for handling a ball on the line would have been issued. W\u00fcck\u2019s 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\u2019s World Cup group stage exit is forgotten.<\/p>\n 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 N\u00fcsken<\/a> spoke to members of the press. N\u00fcsken \u2013 who served as the hero in the second group stage victory over Denmark<\/a> \u2013 confirmed that W\u00fcck had given his charges the rest of the day and Monday off.<\/p>\n The quarterfinal match doesn\u2019t take place until Saturday.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a short night,\u201d N\u00fcsken told members of the press. \u201cAt 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<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll attack it again on Tuesday,\u201d N\u00fcsken continued. \u201cWe\u2019ll discuss a few things we need to take care of. Obviously [due to Wamser\u2019s suspension] there will be changes. The goals that we conceded against Sweden weren\u2019t merely a matter of bad luck. We were often a step too late against Denmark as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Some of the German women found grounds for optimism last night. Newly elevated captain Janina Minge emphasized that \u201cIt probably doesn\u2019t make much difference whether we play the group winners or the runners-up.\u201d Goal-scorer Brand let it be known that the start was \u201cgreat\u2018.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we slip up like this, then at least the timing is okay,\u201d\u00a0 Brand also added.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d rather not have a day like this at a European Championship,\u201d starter Laura Freigang \u2013 subbed off for tactical reasons after the red card \u2013 noted. \u201cBut I\u2019d rather have it today than any other day.\u201d<\/p>\n