Cancer Warrior Berger Sends Germany to Euro 2025 Semifinals After Thrilling Shootout Win Over France
In a performance that will go down as one of the greatest in European Championship history, Germany's goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger inspired her side to a dramatic penalty shootout victory over France in the Euro 2025 quarterfinals on Saturday night.
After a gripping 1-1 draw that extended into extra time, Berger's brilliance proved decisive in the shootout, as Germany triumphed 6-5 on penalties to book a place in the semifinals against reigning world champion Spain.
Yet for Berger, a two-time cancer survivor, the high-stakes match was just another chapter in an extraordinary personal journey. The 34-year-old has overcome thyroid cancer twice — first diagnosed in 2017, and again during the previous Euro tournament in 2022. Her resilience off the pitch has translated into mental steel on it.
'Football saved my brain and saved my mental health because I had something to hold on to,' she once said in a 2022 interview with Sky Sports.
On Saturday, she proved just how powerful that determination can be.
Berger made nine saves during the match — the most by any goalkeeper in a knockout match at the European Women's Championship since 2013, according to the BBC.
During the penalties, Berger saved the first spot kick from France's Amel Majri, stepped up herself to score Germany's fourth, and delivered the winning moment by diving to stop Alice Sombath's effort — France's seventh penalty — sealing the victory for Germany.
The keeper dropped to her knees in disbelief as her teammates rushed to embrace her, their semifinal dream alive.
Berger's story is as much about survival as it is about sport. She returned to football just months after cancer treatment—twice—and now bears a tattoo on her neck reading "All we have is now," covering the scars from surgery.
Her journey, both on and off the pitch, has made her a symbol of resilience — and on Saturday night, she was Germany's hero.
Germany will now face Spain in the semifinals on Wednesday in what promises to be a high-stakes showdown between two powerhouses of the women's game.
read more
Japan Stun Spain 2-1 to Qualify for World Cup Last 16
World Cup 2022: Get to Know Confirmed Line-ups of Japan and Spain Group E Decider
Saudi Arabia Bid Farewell to World Cup after 2-1 Loss to Mexico
Tunisia Achieve Historic Win over France but Fail to Qualify
Tunisia to Clash against France in World Cup
Sports
Get to Know Squad of Group D Teams in World Cup
Sports
Al Ahly Gift EGP 70,000 to Players After Claiming Egyptian Super Cup Title
Sports
Bencharki Hits First 2 Goals with Al Jazira Since Leaving Zamalek
Sports
Arsenal Possible Line-up for Nottingham Forest
News
Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters
Arts & Culture
"Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date
News
China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier
Videos & Features
Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall
Lifestyle
Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt
Arts & Culture
South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle
Business
Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs
News
"Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence"
Sports
Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results
News
Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
See - Sada Elbalad
5 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
The "Kings of Headers" List of the 21st Century
Amir Haggag Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, the star of Saudi club Al-Nassr, tops the list of the 20 most prolific headers at club level during the 21st century, according to a report issued by the global network lentedesportiva. The global network added, "Heading is a technical skill that requires precise timing, courage, and physical strength. Some players have made it a decisive scoring weapon in their careers, most notably Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, who topped the list by a wide margin. The complete list of the top headed scorers The list of the top 20 headed scorers of the 21st century (2000–2025) is as follows: 1. Cristiano Ronaldo – 110 goals 2. Luuk de Jong – 78 goals 3. Robert Lewandowski – 77 goals 4. Fernando Llorente – 75 goals 5. Radamel Falcao – 71 goals 6. Bas Dost – 64 goals 7. Aritz Aduriz – 63 goals 8. Mario Mandzukic – 60 goals 9. Edin Dzeko – 59 goals Goals 10. Zlatan Ibrahimović – 58 goals 11. Miroslav Klose – 58 goals 12. Edinson Cavani – 57 goals 13. Peter Crouch – 56 goals 14. Karim Benzema – 54 goals 15. Sergio Ramos – 51 goals 16. Raúl – 51 goals 17. Islam Slimani – 51 goals 18. Guillaume Hoarau – 51 goals 19. Olivier Giroud – 50 goals 20. Didier Drogba – 50 goals read more Japan Stun Spain 2-1 to Qualify for World Cup Last 16 World Cup 2022: Get to Know Confirmed Line-ups of Japan and Spain Group E Decider Saudi Arabia Bid Farewell to World Cup after 2-1 Loss to Mexico Tunisia Achieve Historic Win over France but Fail to Qualify Tunisia to Clash against France in World Cup Sports Get to Know Squad of Group D Teams in World Cup Sports Al Ahly Gift EGP 70,000 to Players After Claiming Egyptian Super Cup Title Sports Bencharki Hits First 2 Goals with Al Jazira Since Leaving Zamalek Sports Arsenal Possible Line-up for Nottingham Forest News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
See - Sada Elbalad
17 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Man United Sign Cameroonian Winger Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford
Rana Atef Manchester United officially announced on Monday the signing of Cameroonian international winger Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford. The transfer was finalized after agreeing on personal terms and completing registration procedures. Mbeumo has signed a contract that runs until June 2030, with an option to extend for an additional year. The 25-year-old had an outstanding season with Brentford in the Premier League, scoring 20 goals—the fourth-highest tally in the competition—and providing 8 assists, continuing his impressive form since Brentford's promotion to the top flight. In his first interview with the club's official website, Mbeumo expressed his excitement, saying: 'Manchester United is my dream club. I wore their jersey as a child, and now I'm living the dream. I have the ambition and character to reach the next level, and I'm ready to learn a lot from Rúben Amorim and my new teammates.' Jason Wilcox, United's Director of Football, praised the new signing, stating: 'Bryan's consistency and attacking output have made him one of the standout players in the Premier League in recent years. His commitment to the club's project makes him a perfect addition to our ambitions.' Mbeumo will join the squad on their pre-season tour in the United States, offering a valuable opportunity to integrate with the team ahead of the 2025–26 season. read more Japan Stun Spain 2-1 to Qualify for World Cup Last 16 World Cup 2022: Get to Know Confirmed Line-ups of Japan and Spain Group E Decider Saudi Arabia Bid Farewell to World Cup after 2-1 Loss to Mexico Tunisia Achieve Historic Win over France but Fail to Qualify Tunisia to Clash against France in World Cup Sports Get to Know Squad of Group D Teams in World Cup Sports Al Ahly Gift EGP 70,000 to Players After Claiming Egyptian Super Cup Title Sports Bencharki Hits First 2 Goals with Al Jazira Since Leaving Zamalek Sports Arsenal Possible Line-up for Nottingham Forest News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
See - Sada Elbalad
17 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Cancer Warrior Berger Sends Germany to Euro 2025 Semifinals After Thrilling Shootout Win Over France
Rana Atef In a performance that will go down as one of the greatest in European Championship history, Germany's goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger inspired her side to a dramatic penalty shootout victory over France in the Euro 2025 quarterfinals on Saturday night. After a gripping 1-1 draw that extended into extra time, Berger's brilliance proved decisive in the shootout, as Germany triumphed 6-5 on penalties to book a place in the semifinals against reigning world champion Spain. Yet for Berger, a two-time cancer survivor, the high-stakes match was just another chapter in an extraordinary personal journey. The 34-year-old has overcome thyroid cancer twice — first diagnosed in 2017, and again during the previous Euro tournament in 2022. Her resilience off the pitch has translated into mental steel on it. 'Football saved my brain and saved my mental health because I had something to hold on to,' she once said in a 2022 interview with Sky Sports. On Saturday, she proved just how powerful that determination can be. Berger made nine saves during the match — the most by any goalkeeper in a knockout match at the European Women's Championship since 2013, according to the BBC. During the penalties, Berger saved the first spot kick from France's Amel Majri, stepped up herself to score Germany's fourth, and delivered the winning moment by diving to stop Alice Sombath's effort — France's seventh penalty — sealing the victory for Germany. The keeper dropped to her knees in disbelief as her teammates rushed to embrace her, their semifinal dream alive. Berger's story is as much about survival as it is about sport. She returned to football just months after cancer treatment—twice—and now bears a tattoo on her neck reading "All we have is now," covering the scars from surgery. Her journey, both on and off the pitch, has made her a symbol of resilience — and on Saturday night, she was Germany's hero. Germany will now face Spain in the semifinals on Wednesday in what promises to be a high-stakes showdown between two powerhouses of the women's game. read more Japan Stun Spain 2-1 to Qualify for World Cup Last 16 World Cup 2022: Get to Know Confirmed Line-ups of Japan and Spain Group E Decider Saudi Arabia Bid Farewell to World Cup after 2-1 Loss to Mexico Tunisia Achieve Historic Win over France but Fail to Qualify Tunisia to Clash against France in World Cup Sports Get to Know Squad of Group D Teams in World Cup Sports Al Ahly Gift EGP 70,000 to Players After Claiming Egyptian Super Cup Title Sports Bencharki Hits First 2 Goals with Al Jazira Since Leaving Zamalek Sports Arsenal Possible Line-up for Nottingham Forest News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
