Latest news with #JaninaMinge
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
How cancer survivor Ann-Katrin Berger rescued Germany with the save of Euro 2025
The header from Janina Minge looped horribly for Germany, taking on a sort of vicious arc that could only come from a bad accident, or a cruel twist of fate. Ann-Katrin Berger had already taken a couple of paces off her line in anticipation of Selma Bacha's in-swinging cross, then made another two quick steps forward as she decided she was going to try and collect it. When Minge leapt, sending the ball back towards goal, Berger seemed stranded out of position, the goalkeeper's left foot touching the six-yard line. It's a goal, it has to be. Germany are a player down and hanging on for penalties, but this is the first time since their early red card that those in white have stopped. They stand frozen to the spot as if momentarily accepting their fate. Berger, though, is still alive to the moment. If there is anyone who knows anything about refusing to accept the hand that life has dealt, it is the 34-year-old goalkeeper, who has spun around and taken huge strides while France's players are raising their arms in celebration. Perhaps the secret to how Berger reacts so instinctively is the message written in ink on her neck, the symbols of her tattoo spelling out the phrase 'all we have is now'. Berger's tattoo covers up the scars left behind by her treatment for thyroid cancer. First diagnosed in 2017, Berger learned that her cancer had returned during the last European Championships in 2022 and as Germany reached the final. After four years of living cancer-free, she faced another fight. But Berger recovered and then returned for the second time to play at the highest level. An unused substitute and back-up to Merle Frohms at Euro 2022, Berger is now Germany's No 1 after making her tournament debut at the age of 34. 'I feel like I'm not really an emotional person, but I'm glad that I'm here and I'm glad that I have the teammates I have,' she said. 'What happened here makes me proud to be here. Whatever happened in 2022, I'm looking forward now to the future. Now I live my best life and I'm in the semi-final.' To get there, Berger had to first reach Minge's backward header. She scrambled back, then, while tracking the flight of the ball over the top of her right shoulder, threw herself towards the line with her left arm fully outstretched. As Berger then started to fall towards the ground, she found enough power in her left arm to claw the ball off the line and away from danger. It was the save of the tournament and it kept Germany level as they survived to reach the penalty shootout. It would have been fair enough for Berger to feel invincible at this point, which is rather how Germany played penalties. 'I knew she would save them,' said Sjoeke Nusken. Berger first saved Amel Majri's effort, diving to her left and landing on the shoulder that had already taken a heavy blow when she rescued Germany in extra time. Then, at 3-3 and sudden death, Berger stepped up to take Germany's fifth penalty, two nights after Sweden's goalkeeper Jennifer Falk had missed from the same position against England. This time, Berger barely blinked as she found the corner. 'I think credit should go to the team, not me,' Berger said. 'Because maybe it was the decisive moment in the penalty shootout, but everyone here should talk about the performance of the team, because that was amazing and incredible.' Strapped to Berger's water bottle was a cheat sheet with the penalty records of France's likely takers. However, tellingly, Berger admitted afterwards that she did not look at it. She was living at the moment, epitomising Germany's resistance, and her second save of the shootout to deny France's Alice Sombath sent them through to the semi-finals.
NBC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- NBC News
Rainbow armbands are dividing opinion at Euro 2025
Some captains are wearing them, some are not. Rainbow armbands at the Women's European Championship are proving more divisive than perhaps intended for a symbol promoting tolerance and inclusion. UEFA is giving team captains the option of wearing armbands with the bright colors of the rainbow flag or plain monocolored versions with the word "respect" when they play. "Standard yellow and blue armbands are provided to all teams and rainbow armbands are available upon request," UEFA told The Associated Press. Both versions have been worn so far at the tournament in Switzerland, with the captains' choices facing scrutiny for the meaning behind their decisions. What it means The rainbow armband is intended to show solidarity with the LGBTQ community, while it also stands for diversity. "UEFA is committed to making football a safe and welcoming environment for everybody, independent of who we love, our gender identification or gender expression," the governing body said before the women's Euro 2022, where it also gave team captains the option of wearing rainbow armbands. UEFA faced criticism the year before when it nixed Munich's plans to illuminate its stadium in rainbow colors for Germany's game against Hungary during the men's European Championship. The Germans wanted to protest to a law passed by Hungarian lawmakers the week before that prohibited sharing with minors any content portraying homosexuality or sex reassignment. Who's wearing the rainbow armbands? When Germany played France in their quarterfinal on Saturday, the German captain, Janina Minge, wore a rainbow armband while her French counterpart did not. Switzerland captain Lia Wälti wore a rainbow armband in her team's quarterfinal against Spain the day before. Her opposite, Irene Paredes, did not. Norway captain Ada Hegerberg wore a rainbow armband, as did Wales captain Angharad James, Iceland's Glódís Viggósdóttir, England's Leah Williamson and others. England defender Lucy Bronze also wore a rainbow wristband during her team's quarterfinal win over Sweden, whose captain, Kosovare Asllani, also wore a rainbow armband. Elena Linari became the first to wear a rainbow armband for Italy when she captained the side against Spain, but Cristiana Girelli wore a plain one when she returned for the quarterfinal against Norway. France chose 'respect' armband France captain Griedge Mbock Bathy suggested the rainbow armband's message is too restrictive because of its focus on LGBTQ rights. "Highlighting a single issue also potentially excludes the others," she said. "We cannot champion a single cause through our diverse group because there are so many causes to defend." Mbock said the France team is "so diverse that we cannot highlight just one cause. I think that the armband with the word 'respect' really represents what we want to convey as a message and that is the most important thing." When told that nine of the 16 countries participating at Euro 2025 wear the rainbow armband, France coach Laurent Bonadei defended his team's choice not to. "Our one has 'respect' written on it. Respect as a word gathers a lot of causes such as racism. I think the 'respect' one is really a nice one," Bonadei said. Controversy in Qatar Swedish player Nilla Fischer, the former Wolfsburg captain, was the first in Germany to wear the rainbow armband in the women's Bundesliga in 2017. She inspired others to follow suit, both in women's and men's sports. Germany was a strong campaigner for rainbow armbands at the men's World Cup in Qatar in 2022. That developed into a showdown with FIFA over the compromise "One Love" campaign, which featured a rainbow-type heart design that was supposed to be a symbol against discrimination. It was still largely seen as a snub to the host nation, where homosexual acts are illegal and its treatment of migrant workers was a decade-long controversy. FIFA banned the armbands and threatened to book team captains who wore them, leading the German players to cover their mouths for the team photo before their opening game, suggesting they were being silenced. Germany's interior minister at the time, Nancy Faeser, who was also responsible for sports, wore a "One Love" armband in the stands beside FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Qatari supporters later hit back by holding pictures of former Germany player Mesut Özil while covering their mouths during Germany's match against Spain. They were referring to the racist abuse in Germany of Özil, a German-born descendant of Turkish immigrants, who became a scapegoat for Germany's early World Cup exit in 2018. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann called for an end to political statements in 2024, saying they were too distracting for his players. The German men's team ultimately failed to deliver on the field.
5 days ago
- Sport
Rainbow armbands are dividing opinion at Euro 2025
Some captains are wearing them, some are not. Rainbow armbands at the Women's European Championship are proving more divisive than perhaps intended for a symbol promoting tolerance and inclusion. UEFA is giving team captains the option of wearing armbands with the bright colors of the rainbow flag or plain monocolored versions with the word 'respect' when they play. 'Standard yellow and blue armbands are provided to all teams and rainbow armbands are available upon request,' UEFA told The Associated Press. Both versions have been worn so far at the tournament in Switzerland, with the captains' choices facing scrutiny for the meaning behind their decisions. The rainbow armband is intended to show solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, while it also stands for diversity. 'UEFA is committed to making football a safe and welcoming environment for everybody, independent of who we love, our gender identification or gender expression,' the governing body said before the women's Euro 2022, where it also gave team captains the option of wearing rainbow armbands. UEFA faced criticism the year before when it nixed Munich's plans to illuminate its stadium in rainbow colors for Germany's game against Hungary during the men's European Championship. The Germans wanted to protest to a law passed by Hungarian lawmakers the week before that prohibited sharing with minors any content portraying homosexuality or sex reassignment. When Germany played France in their quarterfinal on Saturday, the German captain, Janina Minge, wore a rainbow armband while her French counterpart did not. Switzerland captain Lia Wälti wore a rainbow armband in her team's quarterfinal against Spain the day before. Her opposite, Irene Paredes, did not. Norway captain Ada Hegerberg wore a rainbow armband, as did Wales captain Angharad James, Iceland's Glódís Viggósdóttir, England's Leah Williamson and others. England defender Lucy Bronze also wore a rainbow wristband during her team's quarterfinal win over Sweden, whose captain, Kosovare Asllani, also wore a rainbow armband. Elena Linari became the first to wear a rainbow armband for Italy when she captained the side against Spain, but Cristiana Girelli wore a plain one when she returned for the quarterfinal against Norway. France captain Griedge Mbock Bathy suggested the rainbow armband's message is too restrictive because of its focus on LGBTQ+ rights. 'Highlighting a single issue also potentially excludes the others,' she said. 'We cannot champion a single cause through our diverse group because there are so many causes to defend.' Mbock said the France team is 'so diverse that we cannot highlight just one cause. I think that the armband with the word 'respect' really represents what we want to convey as a message and that is the most important thing.' When told that nine of the 16 countries participating at Euro 2025 wear the rainbow armband, France coach Laurent Bonadei defended his team's choice not to. 'Our one has 'respect' written on it. Respect as a word gathers a lot of causes such as racism. I think the 'respect' one is really a nice one,' Bonadei said. Swedish player Nilla Fischer, the former Wolfsburg captain, was the first in Germany to wear the rainbow armband in the women's Bundesliga in 2017. She inspired others to follow suit, both in women's and men's sports. Germany was a strong campaigner for rainbow armbands at the men's World Cup in Qatar in 2022. That developed into a showdown with FIFA over the compromise 'One Love' campaign, which featured a rainbow-type heart design that was supposed to be a symbol against discrimination. It was still largely seen as a snub to the host nation, where homosexual acts are illegal and its treatment of migrant workers was a decade-long controversy. FIFA banned the armbands and threatened to book team captains who wore them, leading the German players to cover their mouths for the team photo before their opening game, suggesting they were being silenced. Germany's interior minister at the time, Nancy Faeser, who was also responsible for sports, wore a 'One Love' armband in the stands beside FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Qatari supporters later hit back by holding pictures of former Germany player Mesut Özil while covering their mouths during Germany's match against Spain. They were referring to the racist abuse in Germany of Özil, a German-born descendant of Turkish immigrants, who became a scapegoat for Germany's early World Cup exit in 2018. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann in 2024, saying they were too distracting for his players. The German men's team ultimately failed to deliver on the field.
Fox Sports
5 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Rainbow armbands are dividing opinion at Euro 2025
Associated Press Some captains are wearing them, some are not. Rainbow armbands at the Women's European Championship are proving more divisive than perhaps intended for a symbol promoting tolerance and inclusion. UEFA is giving team captains the option of wearing armbands with the bright colors of the rainbow flag or plain monocolored versions with the word 'respect' when they play. 'Standard yellow and blue armbands are provided to all teams and rainbow armbands are available upon request,' UEFA told The Associated Press. Both versions have been worn so far at the tournament in Switzerland, with the captains' choices facing scrutiny for the meaning behind their decisions. What it means The rainbow armband is intended to show solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, while it also stands for diversity. 'UEFA is committed to making football a safe and welcoming environment for everybody, independent of who we love, our gender identification or gender expression,' the governing body said before the women's Euro 2022, where it also gave team captains the option of wearing rainbow armbands. UEFA faced criticism the year before when it nixed Munich's plans to illuminate its stadium in rainbow colors for Germany's game against Hungary during the men's European Championship. The Germans wanted to protest to a law passed by Hungarian lawmakers the week before that prohibited sharing with minors any content portraying homosexuality or sex reassignment. Who's wearing the rainbow armbands? When Germany played France in their quarterfinal on Saturday, the German captain, Janina Minge, wore a rainbow armband while her French counterpart did not. Switzerland captain Lia Wälti wore a rainbow armband in her team's quarterfinal against Spain the day before. Her opposite, Irene Paredes, did not. Norway captain Ada Hegerberg wore a rainbow armband, as did Wales captain Angharad James, Iceland's Glódís Viggósdóttir, England's Leah Williamson and others. England defender Lucy Bronze also wore a rainbow wristband during her team's quarterfinal win over Sweden, whose captain, Kosovare Asllani, also wore a rainbow armband. Elena Linari became the first to wear a rainbow armband for Italy when she captained the side against Spain, but Cristiana Girelli wore a plain one when she returned for the quarterfinal against Norway. France chose 'respect' armband France captain Griedge Mbock Bathy suggested the rainbow armband's message is too restrictive because of its focus on LGBTQ+ rights. 'Highlighting a single issue also potentially excludes the others,' she said. 'We cannot champion a single cause through our diverse group because there are so many causes to defend.' Mbock said the France team is 'so diverse that we cannot highlight just one cause. I think that the armband with the word 'respect' really represents what we want to convey as a message and that is the most important thing.' When told that nine of the 16 countries participating at Euro 2025 wear the rainbow armband, France coach Laurent Bonadei defended his team's choice not to. 'Our one has 'respect' written on it. Respect as a word gathers a lot of causes such as racism. I think the 'respect' one is really a nice one,' Bonadei said. Controversy in Qatar Swedish player Nilla Fischer, the former Wolfsburg captain, was the first in Germany to wear the rainbow armband in the women's Bundesliga in 2017. She inspired others to follow suit, both in women's and men's sports. Germany was a strong campaigner for rainbow armbands at the men's World Cup in Qatar in 2022. That developed into a showdown with FIFA over the compromise 'One Love' campaign, which featured a rainbow-type heart design that was supposed to be a symbol against discrimination. It was still largely seen as a snub to the host nation, where homosexual acts are illegal and its treatment of migrant workers was a decade-long controversy. FIFA banned the armbands and threatened to book team captains who wore them, leading the German players to cover their mouths for the team photo before their opening game, suggesting they were being silenced. Germany's interior minister at the time, Nancy Faeser, who was also responsible for sports, wore a 'One Love' armband in the stands beside FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Qatari supporters later hit back by holding pictures of former Germany player Mesut Özil while covering their mouths during Germany's match against Spain. They were referring to the racist abuse in Germany of Özil, a German-born descendant of Turkish immigrants, who became a scapegoat for Germany's early World Cup exit in 2018. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann called for an end to political statements in 2024, saying they were too distracting for his players. The German men's team ultimately failed to deliver on the field. ___ AP soccer: recommended Item 1 of 3
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Rainbow armbands are dividing opinion at Euro 2025
Some captains are wearing them, some are not. Rainbow armbands at the Women's European Championship are proving more divisive than perhaps intended for a symbol promoting tolerance and inclusion. UEFA is giving team captains the option of wearing armbands with the bright colors of the rainbow flag or plain monocolored versions with the word 'respect' when they play. 'Standard yellow and blue armbands are provided to all teams and rainbow armbands are available upon request,' UEFA told The Associated Press. Both versions have been worn so far at the tournament in Switzerland, with the captains' choices facing scrutiny for the meaning behind their decisions. What it means The rainbow armband is intended to show solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, while it also stands for diversity. 'UEFA is committed to making football a safe and welcoming environment for everybody, independent of who we love, our gender identification or gender expression,' the governing body said before the women's Euro 2022, where it also gave team captains the option of wearing rainbow armbands. UEFA faced criticism the year before when it nixed Munich's plans to illuminate its stadium in rainbow colors for Germany's game against Hungary during the men's European Championship. The Germans wanted to protest to a law passed by Hungarian lawmakers the week before that prohibited sharing with minors any content portraying homosexuality or sex reassignment. Who's wearing the rainbow armbands? When Germany played France in their quarterfinal on Saturday, the German captain, Janina Minge, wore a rainbow armband while her French counterpart did not. Switzerland captain Lia Wälti wore a rainbow armband in her team's quarterfinal against Spain the day before. Her opposite, Irene Paredes, did not. Norway captain Ada Hegerberg wore a rainbow armband, as did Wales captain Angharad James, Iceland's Glódís Viggósdóttir, England's Leah Williamson and others. England defender Lucy Bronze also wore a rainbow wristband during her team's quarterfinal win over Sweden, whose captain, Kosovare Asllani, also wore a rainbow armband. Elena Linari became the first to wear a rainbow armband for Italy when she captained the side against Spain, but Cristiana Girelli wore a plain one when she returned for the quarterfinal against Norway. France chose 'respect' armband France captain Griedge Mbock Bathy suggested the rainbow armband's message is too restrictive because of its focus on LGBTQ+ rights. 'Highlighting a single issue also potentially excludes the others,' she said. 'We cannot champion a single cause through our diverse group because there are so many causes to defend.' Mbock said the France team is 'so diverse that we cannot highlight just one cause. I think that the armband with the word 'respect' really represents what we want to convey as a message and that is the most important thing.' When told that nine of the 16 countries participating at Euro 2025 wear the rainbow armband, France coach Laurent Bonadei defended his team's choice not to. 'Our one has 'respect' written on it. Respect as a word gathers a lot of causes such as racism. I think the 'respect' one is really a nice one,' Bonadei said. Controversy in Qatar Swedish player Nilla Fischer, the former Wolfsburg captain, was the first in Germany to wear the rainbow armband in the women's Bundesliga in 2017. She inspired others to follow suit, both in women's and men's sports. Germany was a strong campaigner for rainbow armbands at the men's World Cup in Qatar in 2022. That developed into a showdown with FIFA over the compromise 'One Love' campaign, which featured a rainbow-type heart design that was supposed to be a symbol against discrimination. It was still largely seen as a snub to the host nation, where homosexual acts are illegal and its treatment of migrant workers was a decade-long controversy. FIFA banned the armbands and threatened to book team captains who wore them, leading the German players to cover their mouths for the team photo before their opening game, suggesting they were being silenced. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Germany's interior minister at the time, Nancy Faeser, who was also responsible for sports, wore a 'One Love' armband in the stands beside FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Qatari supporters later hit back by holding pictures of former Germany player Mesut Özil while covering their mouths during Germany's match against Spain. They were referring to the racist abuse in Germany of Özil, a German-born descendant of Turkish immigrants, who became a scapegoat for Germany's early World Cup exit in 2018. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann called for an end to political statements in 2024, saying they were too distracting for his players. The German men's team ultimately failed to deliver on the field. ___ AP soccer:
