Germans eye England revenge in potential Women's Euro final repeat
First, both teams must navigate tricky semi-final hurdles, with England facing Italy on Tuesday before Germany take on reigning world champions and tournament favourites Spain a day later.
"It would be a good revenge, that would be amazing, so fingers crossed they win against Spain and make it to the final," Leupolz said at an Adidas event in Zurich on Sunday.
There was no shortage of drama in the quarter-finals, with England edging Sweden in a hair-raising penalty shootout, Italy scoring a last-minute winner against Norway, and Germany beating France on penalties to set up an intriguing pair of semis.
"I won't underestimate Italy, I think they are playing a good tournament, a lot of passion and just giving it all. So I think it will be very difficult for England as well," Leupolz, who played for London club Chelsea for four years until 2024, said.
"I think they (England) had a few ups and downs during the tournament, some good performances, some not so good. So I think they have to have a good day on this day to win against Italy."
Germany recovered from an early red card and the concession of an early goal to draw 1-1 with France after extra time before going on to win 6-5 in the shootout to send them into the last four.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Priority for singles, higher quota for second-timer families to kick in from HDB's July BTO exercise
Singapore Both Bukit Panjang LRT disruptions in July linked to newly installed power system: SMRT
Singapore 1 in 3 vapes here laced with etomidate; MOH working with MHA to list it as illegal drug: Ong Ye Kung
Asia Johor Bahru collision claims lives of e-hailing driver and Singapore passenger
Sport Arsenal arrive in Singapore for pre-season matches with AC Milan and Newcastle
Business Crypto exchange Tokenize to shut down Singapore operations
Singapore More initiatives and support for migrant community announced at Racial Harmony Day event
Singapore ComfortDelGro to discipline driver who flung relative's wheelchair out of taxi
"Just fingers crossed for Germany. But I think after yesterday's game with so many challenges, I think they just take all of the confidence they got from yesterday and take it into the semi-finals against Spain."
Having gone from playing for the team to cheering them on from the sidelines, the 31-year-old Leupolz said that retirement had left her with mixed feelings.
"I already miss the 90 minutes of football for sure, but everything around the travelling, the trainings, everything you have to invest, I think I won't miss," she explained.
"I think it was the right time, but when I see games like yesterday, just like really highlight games, the 90 minutes, I will miss for sure." REUTERS
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Straits Times
Super subs save the day again as England go through to Women's Euro 2025 final
GENEVA – Just when England's reign as women's European champions appeared to be coming to an end, their bench cavalry rode to the rescue once more as substitutes Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly got the goals that put them into the Euro 2025 final. Trailing 1-0 deep into second-half stoppage time against Italy in their semi-final, the defending champions looked beaten, but Agyemang levelled to force extra time and Kelly snatched the winner to seal England's place in the final in Basel on July 27. For the second game in a row, the pair came on and proved decisive, and with Beth Mead also impressing from among the ranks of the replacements, England coach Sarina Wiegman has some welcome selection problems ahead of the decider against either Germany or Spain. Just as she did against Sweden in the quarter-final, Agyemang came off the bench to equalise, and though that game went to a penalty shoot-out, this time Kelly needed only the rebound from one late spot kick to send her side through. Will the duo start in the final? Or are they better off the bench? Agyemang has been a colossus for England in her substitute appearances to date, providing power, physicality and a nose for goal when they need it most – not bad for a 19-year-old who was a ball girl for an England game at Wembley only four years ago. Kelly's wing work has been equally exemplary, her unshakeable confidence allowing her to persistently create chances and change every game she entered. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore S'pore's domestic recycling rate drops to all time low of 11% Singapore HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats, as priority scheme for singles kick in Business Singapore's digital banks finding their niche in areas like SMEs as they narrow losses in 2024 Asia Japan Prime Minister Ishiba to resign by August, Mainichi newspaper reports World Trump says US will charge 19% tariff on goods from Philippines, down from 20% Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat Singapore 2 foreigners arrested for shop theft at Changi Airport Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving Their contributions were vital. Italy defended with a mix of heroism, wisdom and cynicism that looked to be enough to see them into the final for the first time since 1997. The Italians had done superbly, making sure their clearances went to a teammate or out to the wings to lessen the danger and they presented the England players with a solid block in the middle, inviting them to shoot from distance. Their strategy of compressing space and denying angled balls behind their defence effectively restricted England's attack, limiting striker Alessia Russo to a handful of touches in the box. But the introduction of Agyemang and her combination of skill and physicality gave England a more direct weapon, and with Kelly marauding down the wings, the reigning champions suddenly looked to have a sliver of hope. Italy goalkeeper Laura Giuliani spilled the cross that Agyemang snapped up and converted into an equaliser, and she saved from Kelly's extra-time penalty, but could do nothing to prevent her from steering home the rebound as the super subs struck again to save England. 'We're going to make a movie some day! Well, this is a movie, my goodness, it's unbelievable. Here we are again, it's really, really special,' an elated Wiegman said, praising her supporting cast for their blockbuster ending. One more match to go, before the Lionesses can officially call it their Hollywood campaign. REUTERS

Straits Times
18 hours ago
- Straits Times
Comeback win gives Germany game plan for semi-final with Spain
GENEVA - Germany's gritty win over France has given them a template for how they should play for the rest of the tournament, defender Rebecca Knaak told reporters on Tuesday ahead of her side's Women's Euro semi-final against Spain in Zurich. The Germans had a player sent off and conceded a penalty early on against the French, but recovered to draw 1-1 after extra time and win the quarter-final shootout, pitting the eight-times champions against Spain on Wednesday. "Really, it's the perfect example for passion, strength, mental strength, all these things that are characteristics that we possess," Knaak told a press conference. "Of course, on a tactical basis, we are prepared by the coach and the team, but the basic, fundamental characteristic has been built for the Spanish (game) in the French match." After two first-half red cards in their last two games, coach Christian Wueck is hoping to keep 11 players on the pitch for as long as possible so he can make the most of his attacking talent. "I think we will chase them (Spain) a lot. We won't have a lot of possession, and we will suffer, but we have to find the right moments and take advantage of the right moments to push our game ... we are strong in possession, and this is going to be the big difference, because we want to play on the ball," he told reporters. The Germans have also been disrupted by injuries during the tournament, but Knaak said the sense of togetherness in the squad lessened the impact of losing players. "I think it says a lot about the team that we accepted every situation as it came along. There's so many different, unusual situations, and we adapted, we accepted those situations, and we supported each other," she said. "And at the end, it doesn't really matter who plays next to whom. We are a team, and we have the squad exactly for those reasons, so that we can adapt." England play Italy in the first semi-final in Geneva on Tuesday, with the final in Basel on Sunday. REUTERS

Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli welcomes new signings amid definite competition for game time
SINGAPORE – In a summer where transfer speculation has circled largely over Arsenal's front three and what it may look like come the start of the season in August, winger Gabriel Martinelli has instead extended a warm welcome to the club's new signings and vows to do his best for the team. The Gunners are in town for this week's Singapore Festival of Football where they will play friendlies against AC Milan on July 23 and Newcastle United on July 27 at the National Stadium. Arsenal have been busy in the ongoing summer transfer window. Noni Madueke, their fourth and most recent acquisition from city rivals Chelsea, will offer star player Bukayo Saka some much-needed competition on the right wing. However, Madueke, primarily left-footed, has not been a stranger to playing on the opposite flank and Martinelli, a left-sided forward, has chosen to view it in a positive light. In an interview with The Straits Times on July 21, Martinelli said: 'I'm really happy with the signings. Really good players. We're trying to help them feel (at) home. I look forward to playing with them.' Arsenal's other summer signings include Kepa Arrizabalaga, also from Chelsea, Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad and Christian Norgaard from fellow London club Brentford. There could yet be more arrivals in the coming weeks. Real Madrid winger Rodrygo has been linked with the club while Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres is heavily tipped to join them in what could turn out to be one of the standout deals of the summer. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Subsidies and grants for some 20,000 people miscalculated due to processing issue: MOH Asia At least 19 killed as Bangladesh air force plane crashes at college campus Singapore ST Explains: What does it mean for etomidate to be listed under the Misuse of Drugs Act? Business Why Singapore and its businesses stand to lose with US tariffs on the region Singapore NTU to have compulsory cadaver dissection classes for medical students from 2026 World US authorities probing passenger jet's close call with B-52 bomber over North Dakota Singapore Jail for man who conspired with another to bribe MOH agency employee with $18k Paris trip Singapore New research institute will grow S'pore's talent in nuclear energy, safety The No. 9 position is one that fans have been yearning for recruitment in, especially after Arsenal had no player score 10 or more Premier League goals last season. Martinelli himself managed eight goals in 33 appearances. When asked what kind of striker complements his style of play, he chose to keep his options within the current squad. 'I really like Kai (Havertz) and Gabby Jesus. For example, Gabby likes to rotate with me. I like to cross as well and Kai is always there. I like to play with them both,' said the Brazilian, whose personal goals for the season are to 'stay fit and help the team win titles'. He added: 'Three seasons (we've) been second. We want to win it (the English Premier League) this year. We're going to try our best.' The north London club have not won a top-flight title in 21 years. He hopes that this season will be the start of something special, beginning with their pre-season tour of Singapore, a new destination for the 24-year-old. 'I'm looking forward to seeing the fans in the stadium, people (who) wake up in the middle of the night to watch us. 'We're going to try our best to win the games and make them happy,' said Martinelli, who enjoys the hot weather here, which is similar to his native Brazil. Along with goalkeeper David Raya and centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes, Martinelli attended a fan meet-and-greet session at the Adidas Brand Centre Orchard, where the Gunners' away kit for the 2025-26 season was unveiled. It will be worn for the first time when the team take to the National Stadium pitch against Milan. Engaged couple Brandon Rajendra and Adelia Soh were two lucky fans to get up close with the trio of players and they grabbed the opportunity with both hands, bringing their wedding portrait as memorabilia to be signed. Rajendra, 26, said: 'We want to hang it up in our house.' 'Directly above our bed,' added Soh, 25, with a laugh. After the Singapore Festival of Football, Arsenal will continue their pre-season tour in Asia with a friendly north London derby against arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong before returning to England for home games against Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao.