The 4-1 defeat against Sweden on Saturday evening has hit the German team hard. Never before has the eight-time European champion suffered such a heavy defeat at a European Championship.
Due to the defeat, Germany finished second behind Sweden in Group C. “We went into the match with the ambition to finish first in the group,” coach Christian Wück sighed to news agency DPA.
Germany will play against the winner of Group D on Friday. “We have now seen the bottom, but we shake it off and then go into the quarter-finals with confidence. Against whomever. Whether it’s France, England or the Netherlands,” Wück said.
Attacker Laura Freigang searched for words after the debacle in Zurich. “Of course, such a defeat puts you back on the ground with both feet. It’s such a day that you’d rather not experience during a European Championship,” she said.
“But on the other hand, I’d rather have it today than on any other day. We were already in the knock-out phase and can now start preparing for it.”
Germany is the most successful national women’s team in Europe.