Better to lose now than in knockout round, says Germany's Berger
ZURICH - Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger was none too pleased with her side's 4-1 humbling by Sweden on Saturday, but said the one consolation was that they were still in the tournament, finishing second in the group and advancing to the quarter-finals despite the heavy defeat.
The Germans, who had defender Carlotta Wamser sent off in the 32nd minute for a handball that resulted in a penalty, still progressed to the last eight, where they will face the winners of Group D (either France, England or Netherlands).
"I'd rather take a blow now than in the quarter-finals, because then you can't make a comeback anymore," Berger told reporters.
"Sometimes in football... it's good to lose, to really know how it is to lose, a real pain, and that sometimes it's just not enough to perform like that."
The Germans started brightly and took the lead in the seventh minute but the Swedes hit back five minutes later and proceeded to cause problems for their opponents by creating overloads in wide areas and becoming more direct in their play.
The 34-year-old shot-stopper was disappointed by how her team played on the night but said that the performance would not define the eight-time champions as they seek to win a trophy they last lifted in 2013.
"It's an opportunity for us. We know how we can play football," she explained, adding that she had no preference for a quarter-final opponent.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Govt will continue to support families, including growing group of seniors: PM Wong at PCF Family Day
Singapore From Normal stream to Parliament: 3 Singapore politicians share their journeys
Business 29 Jollibean workers get help from MOM, other agencies, over unpaid salaries
Singapore Segregated recycling bins found to lower contamination rate as more spring up
Asia Mahathir discharged from hospital after feeling fatigued during birthday gathering
Singapore Medics treat 7 after blaze at HDB block lift lobby in Chai Chee
Singapore Government looking at enhancing laws around vaping to tackle issue of drug-laced vapes in Singapore
Singapore I lost my daughter to Kpod addiction: Father of 19-year-old shares heartbreak and lessons
"Every team is a huge opponent for me. Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland or whatever. For me, the European Championship is one of the hardest tournaments and I just hang in there and that's why, no matter who faces us, they have to fear us." REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Alcaraz says Sinner rivalry is a class apart
LONDON - Carlos Alcaraz said he could hold his head high despite being unseated from his Wimbledon throne by Jannik Sinner on Sunday and the Spaniard praised their hot rivalry for being several notches higher than the others on the men's tour. Alcaraz's bid for a third straight title at the All England Club ended with a 4-6 6-4 6-4 6-4 loss on Centre Court, leaving him to digest his first Grand Slam final defeat. "It's always a bad feeling losing matches. It's a little bit worse when you lose in a final," said Alcaraz, who narrowly beat Sinner in a five-set humdinger at the French Open last month. "I'm just proud about everything I've done in the last four weeks on grass at London. I leave Wimbledon, the court, with my head held really high because I did everything that I could. "I played against someone who played an unbelievable game. So I'm just a little bit sad about losing, but with my head held really high." Alcaraz said his rivalry with Sinner was great for the pair and also for tennis, which has had to endure the retirements of Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Andy Murray in recent years with fellow great Novak Djokovic in the twilight of a glorious career. The young duo have now shared eight of the last nine Grand Slam titles, with each winning four. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Govt will continue to support families, including growing group of seniors: PM Wong at PCF Family Day Singapore From Normal stream to Parliament: 3 Singapore politicians share their journeys World Deal or no deal? EU faces critical decision in response to Trump's latest tariff salvo Singapore Segregated recycling bins found to lower contamination rate as more spring up Sport Two participants injured after another breached safety protocol during Pesta Sukan archery event Asia Mahathir discharged from hospital after feeling fatigued during birthday gathering Singapore Medics treat 7 after blaze at HDB block lift lobby in Chai Chee Singapore I lost my daughter to Kpod addiction: Father of 19-year-old shares heartbreak and lessons "Every time we play each other, I think our level is really high. We don't see a level like this ... I don't see any player playing against each other, having the level that we're playing when we face each other," Alcaraz added. EXTRA ATTENTION "This rivalry, it's becoming better and better ... we're playing in the finals of Grand Slams, finals of Masters and the best tournaments in the world. It's going to get better. "I'm just really grateful for that because it gives me the opportunity to just give my 100% every practice, every day, just to be better. The level that I have to maintain and I have to raise if I want to beat Jannik is really high." Sinner's coach Darren Cahill admitted that while the Italian did not take any of his rivals for granted, he does pay extra attention to Alcaraz. "Jannik watches more Carlos matches than he does anybody else because he's fascinated with the improvements that are coming in his game, and he's pushing us as coaches to make sure that he's improving as a tennis player," Cahill said. Sinner, who ended Alcaraz's 24-match winning run across all events and 20-match streak at Wimbledon, was most pleased with ending his own run of five successive defeats against the Spaniard. "When you lose several times against someone, it's not easy," said Sinner, who narrowed his win-loss record against Alcaraz to 5-8. "At the same time in the past, I felt I was close ... I never pushed myself down. I keep looking up to Carlos because even today I felt like he was doing a couple of things better than I did. So that's something we'll work on and prepare ourselves because he's going to come for us again. "There's not only Carlos, but everyone. We have a big target on us so we have to be prepared. Then we'll see what's happening in the future." Alcaraz said he had no doubt that Sinner would learn from his near 5-1/2-hour loss at Roland Garros, where the Italian squandered three championship points, and hit back. "I know he's a really nice player and a huge champion. Champions learn from their losses," Alcaraz said. "I knew from the beginning he was going to learn from that final and not make the same mistakes. The way he played today, it was really high. "I wasn't surprised at all." REUTERS
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
England rout neighbours Wales to cruise into Euro 2025 quarter-finals
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox ST. GALLEN, Switzerland - Reigning champions England thrashed neighbours Wales 6-1 to reach the Women's Euro 2025 quarter-finals on Sunday, securing second spot in Group D and cruising into the knockouts on a high note. Georgia Stanway struck from the penalty spot in the 13th minute after a foul in the box, calmly sweeping her shot into the far-left corner past the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Olivia Clark to open the floodgates. Ella Toone found the back of the net with a scrappy goal eight minutes later, while Lauren Hemp nodded home a third inside 30 minutes. Alessia Russo bagged her first goal of the tournament just before halftime and Beth Mead cut inside a defender before slotting home in the 72nd minute. Hannah Cain pulled one back to the delight of the Wales fans in the 76th minute, but England's Aggie Beever-Jones replied in the 89th. England will face Sweden in the quarter-finals on Thursday. France finished top of the group after their 5-2 victory over the Netherlands. REUTERS
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Forum: Why continual enhancements are important for Singapore football
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox We thank Mr Henry Choong Kun Lin for sharing his thoughts on changes to the Singapore Premier League (SPL) and SPL2 ( New plans by FAS welcome, but more thought needed to improve league , July 7). It is heartening to see Singaporeans so invested in our football, and we appreciate his feedback. We would like to clarify the intentions behind two key enhancements: the foreign player quota increase and the introduction of the SPL2 reserve league. The SPL is the national team's key source of players. Improving the competition and daily training environment is a priority – and foreign players can help this. Even established football nations with significantly more local talent have a high percentage of foreign players in domestic leagues. Our players must have the determination to fight for their position daily – that process will help mould them into the type of footballers who will better serve our national cause. The SPL2 widens the funnel of talent into the SPL and national age-group squads, and provides opportunities to spot potential national players among those who do not feature regularly in SPL matches. The SPL2 has regulations that will see at least six Singaporeans – including four under-23 players – on the field at all times. Unlike its predecessor, the U21-league, the SPL2 has no age restrictions on local or foreign players, creating a more competitive and realistic match environment. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Govt will continue to support families, including growing group of seniors: PM Wong at PCF Family Day Singapore From Normal stream to Parliament: 3 Singapore politicians share their journeys World Deal or no deal? EU faces critical decision in response to Trump's latest tariff salvo Singapore Segregated recycling bins found to lower contamination rate as more spring up Sport Two participants injured after another breached safety protocol during Pesta Sukan archery event Asia Mahathir discharged from hospital after feeling fatigued during birthday gathering Singapore Medics treat 7 after blaze at HDB block lift lobby in Chai Chee Singapore I lost my daughter to Kpod addiction: Father of 19-year-old shares heartbreak and lessons This ensures that younger players are exposed to the kind of intensity needed to make the jump to top-tier football. Thus, SPL2 not only preserves development opportunities, but also strengthens them. We acknowledge concerns around frequent format changes. As Singapore football is very much in a developmental phase, it is necessary to implement changes, observe, and continually make enhancements. Moreover, as Asian football standards are constantly improving with regular tweaks to development and recruitment systems, we must ensure that our system is agile. The Football Association of Singapore will study the writer's promotion-relegation idea in the future. With more teams and leagues, we need to be mindful of resource and quality dilution. Singapore football's progress will always be built on shared aspirations among players, coaches, clubs, administrators and fans. We thank the writer for his support and passion, and look forward to an exciting and competitive SPL season ahead. Chew Chun-Liang General Secretary Football Association of Singapore
