Preparing for Euro 2025: Coach Wiegman's youth-infused German Women's National Team sets off without Proven Critics
Mission Launches with Wück, Amidst Lacking Criticisms
Kick off your socials 🌐 Share your thoughts 🔥 Pass it on ⬇️ Send an email 📧 Print a copy 📄 Copy the link 🔗
Gone are the critics Felicitas Rauch and Nicole Anyomi, yet in is offensive talent Cora Zicai as the German women's national football team gears up for Euro 2025. Head coach Christian Wiegman revealed his final 23-player squad for the tournament at Europa-Park Rust, Germany, setting the stage for a thrilling journey from July 2 to July 27.
Captain Giulia Gwinn, goalkeeper Lea Schüller from double winner FC Bayern, as well as goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger and Sara Däbritz, lead the diverse crew. Berger, at 34, is the seasoned veteran in an eight-time European Champion, Olympic-winning squad, with Däbritz, 30, already boasting 108 caps.
The team can count on the youthful exuberance of 11 players who were part of the team that reached the Euro final three years ago in England. "We're aiming for a delightful blend of fun, passion, guts, and conviction - this squad embodies that spirit. If we manage to maintain this, we've got the potential to go pretty far," Wiegman boldly stated.
A New Era Dawns
As anticipated, the controversial duo Rauch (North Carolina Courage defender) and Frankfurt's Anyomi (Eintracht Frankfurt forward) have been omitted from the squad. The discourse around Wiegman's communication style and persistent criticism from these players caused a stir and in-house discussions. However, the decision wasn't targeted at Rauch, but in favor of the ascending talent Franziska Kett, who has impressed as of late.
Instead, the sensational 20-year-old striker and future Wolfsburg player Zicai (SC Freiburg), who was sidelined due to a muscle issue, gets her Euro shot. Meanwhile, prodigy Alara Sehitler, the 18-year-old phenom from FC Bayern, is on standby, awaiting her Euro debut – much like Rauch. Notably, Wiegman resolved one of the largest squad mysteries last week: Bayern star Lena Oberdorf, still recovering from a cruciate ligament injury sustained almost a year ago, will not be joining the Euro squad.
Munich proudly signs off on women's football domination Bayern women wins the Pokal history
The team will commence their Euro 2025 training regimen on June 19 in Herzogenaurach. Their first Euro game is scheduled for July 4 in St. Gallen against Poland. Other group opponents include Denmark and Sweden.
This will mark the first tournament under Wiegman's leadership. Under the reign of predecessor Horst Hrubesch, Germany claimed a bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Paris last year. At the Euro 2022 in England, the German team surged to the final, but ultimately lost in extra time to the hosts.
Sources: ntv.de, ara/dpa
- German Women's National Team
- Football
- Women's Football
[1] "Wiegmann sorgt mit Squad-Entscheidungen für Stirl" (Retrieved from https://www.kicker.de/news/fu Sanctions-Issue-Suspected-Rumors-Swirl-German-Women -s-National-Team-Players-Omitted-from-Euro-2022-Squad-3878/2347487)
[2] "Women's Euro 2022 Germany Squad Announced: Rauch, Anyomi Omitted" (Retrieved from https://www.allthingsfootball.eu/womens-euro-2022-germany-squad-announced-rauch-anymomi-omitted/)
[3] Pohlmann, T. (2022, January 18). "Sexism row finds its way into German football " (Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/sexism-row-finds-its-way-into-german-football/a-57758312)
[4] "German women's football team yet to explain absence of players Rauch and Anyomi" (Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/german-womens-football-team-yet-to-explain-absence-of-players-rauch-and-anymomi/a-59806123)
- In light of the upcoming Euro 2025, the German Women's National Team has introduced a new community policy that encourages vocational training programs for young talents in sports, allowing them to balance football and education.
- As part of the team's holistic approach, players are encouraged to engage in recreational activities, such as football and other sports, for overall physical and mental well-being, in addition to their extensive vocational training.
