Introduction to Ann-Katrin Berger’s Heroics
Ann-Katrin Berger ended the quarter-finals of the Euro 2025 with a broad smile. When Germany’s rest of the team had the Prematmes under control for the national anthem with their games, her goalkeeper grinned and took up the surroundings. After her second penalty had won a match, Germany seemed to be lost within 15 minutes, this smile was even further.
The Match
Germany did the hard tour and played with 10 players for well over 100 minutes after Kathrin Hendrich had been sent early, with France’s Grace Geyoro achieving the resulting penalty in 15 minutes. Sjoeke Nüsken equalized ten minutes later with a header for Germany before missing his own penalty in the second half. Shortly before her rescue, Berger himself scored a penalty in a 6: 5 shootout victory after the game ended 1-1 after additional time. Before that, she had done a breathtaking time in the extension when her headers from her teammate Janina Ming searched for her own network.
Recess
Berger was the subject of a large examination in the structure after it was part of a defense that was destroyed in the 4-1 defeat against Sweden in the last group game in Germany. She also had to deal with her partner, the England Jess Carter, who was criticized on Thursday for her performance at England’s penalty against Sweden. "You learn from mistakes and we showed it today," said Berger Postmatch. "We only knew how to deal with such a situation, and I think that was crucial. So I’m incredibly proud of the team, and I’m glad that we did it from Sweden, because as you saw, it was really cool out there."
Fight Against Cancer
The former goalkeeper Chelsea and Turbine Potsdam, who is now playing for Gotham FC in the USA, was part of the German squad, who took second place in the previous euro. But during this tournament she found that her thyroid cancer had returned. "It was obviously not a happy moment and it was completely unexpected," she said recently. The cancer, which she defeated for the second time in 2022, was first found in 2017. Berger returned to the campaign just 61 days later after the operation. "As a footballer, you don’t think about it. You have to live a healthy life, you do sports every day, so it was quite a shock, it is not common in my family,"
Mental Strength
This mentality was an essential feature of Berger’s performance on Saturday. In addition to her parades, she led Germany to a temporary defense through a match in which they were mainly concerned. "For me it was not a solution to be sick," she continued. "As a athlete, you have to fight every day. Even for my position, I have to fight every training session to be on the field on a Sunday. Goalkeepers have a bad reputation, I don’t know why, as crazy people. I would not say that I am (crazy), but I think the mentality of a goalkeeper also helped me with this."
Penalties Specialist
In addition to their intellectual strength, punishments were a crucial characteristic of Berger’s career. But she said on Saturday that she still had to make improvements. "In such moments I don’t go through my head. I go to my place and wait for the referee whistle her." It was not the first time that it worked. After retirement of the first choice, Merle Frohms, Berger had previously determined her login information by saving two punishments against Canada at the 2024 Olympics before scored the crucial point to send Germany. She then saved another against Spain to secure her team a bronze medal.
Next Match
Spain, World Cup winner in 2023 and who have won their four games in the euro with an overall ranking of 14: 3, is waiting in the semi-finals on Wednesday. Berger will undoubtedly be ready with a smile. "A great achievement," said German coach Christian Wück from his goalkeeper. "We knew that they would give us stability. We need personalities like Ann if we are inferior in numbers."
