EURO 2025: DFB women miss group victory against Sweden
Despite reaching the quarterfinals, the national team is no longer among the favorites for the European Football Championship in Switzerland. After the 4-1 defeat to Sweden, it's clear that, in this form, their title dream is shattered early.
After a demoralizing lesson against Sweden, the German women's soccer team advances to the quarterfinals of the European Championship. Coach Christian Wück's team lost their final group match against the World Cup third-place finishers 4-1 (1-3) in Zurich – revealing striking defensive weaknesses. To make matters worse, Carlotta Wamser, the replacement for right-back and captain Giulia Gwinn, was shown a red card for handball.
Germany's biggest European Championship defeatThe final result was the German women's heaviest European Championship defeat since 1993, when they lost 3-1 to Denmark in the third-place match. Jule Brand had given the eight-time title winners a strong opening goal (7th minute). But then the Swedes overwhelmed the German team: Stina Blackstenius (12th minute), Smilla Holmberg (25th minute), Fridolina Rolfö (34th minute) with a handball penalty, and Lina Hurtig (80th minute) shocked their opponents.
Both teams had already reached the first knockout round before the group stage ended. The German team missed out on winning their group after this bitter setback and will now face the top team in Basel on Saturday, where France currently leads ahead of England and the Netherlands.
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