Latest news with #Women'sEuropeanChampionship
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Sport
- Business Recorder
Spain reach Euro 2025 final after 1-0 extra-time win over Germany
ZURICH: Spain's Aitana Bonmati struck a superb extra-time winner to fire her side to a 1-0 victory over Germany on Wednesday and send them through to the Women's European Championship final for the first time. The win set up a decider against holders England in Basel on Sunday in a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final that saw the Spaniards crowned world champions for the first time. Bonmati finally broke the deadlock in the 113th minute, picking up a ball in the left channel and spotting a gap left by Germany keeper Ann-Katrin Berger at the near post before whipping a shot from a tight angle into the net. Spain captain Irene Paredes struck the foot of a post with a first-half header as her side dominated possession, with the Germans building a solid block and inviting the Spaniards to attack while they attempted to strike on the counter. Germany winger Klara Buehl was impressive throughout, getting in behind the Spanish defence in the 63rd minute but shooting straight at keeper Cata Coll. With the Germans defending superbly, Spain struggled to break them down and they were almost caught out in stoppage time when Buehl had a deflected effort that Coll had to claw away, but the game ended scoreless, forcing extra time. The Germans, who came into the game with a record of nine wins in 10 previous Euro semi-finals, looked set to drag the match to penalties, but Bonmati had other ideas. For Bonmati, who suffered a meningitis-related health scare in the lead-up to the tournament, the goal was a sweet one as the Spaniards defeated Germany for the first time at a major finals. '(I feel) proud. We deserve it. We've had a brutal championship. But we've also had a great tournament so far until today,' Bonmati said, acknowledging how tough it was to break the Germans down. 'Today we also suffered, of course, against Germany. It's the first time we've beaten Germany too, and for those who win at the end of the European Championship, what more could you ask for, right?' England fight back to down Italy in extra time and reach Euro 2025 final Berger, who was the hero of Germany's quarter-final shootout win over France, took responsibility for the goal that saw her side crash out of the tournament. 'I take the blame for that as well. The near post had to be covered, that's clear, and that's why I'm even more disappointed in myself,' she said. 'I can make as many saves as I want, but that goal should have simply been mine, and that's why I feel incredibly sorry, not even for myself, but for the team, because they really gave everything.'
TimesLIVE
2 hours ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
‘We deserve it': Bonmati strikes as Spain down Germany to reach Euro final
Spain's Aitana Bonmati struck a superb extra-time winner to fire her side to a 1-0 victory over Germany on Wednesday and send them through to the Women's European Championship final for the first time. The win set up a decider against holders England in Basel on Sunday in a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final that saw the Spaniards crowned world champions for the first time. Bonmati finally broke the deadlock in the 113th minute, picking up a ball in the left channel and spotting a gap left by Germany keeper Ann-Katrin Berger at the near post before whipping a shot from a tight angle into the net. Spain captain Irene Paredes struck the foot of a post with a first-half header as her side dominated possession, with the Germans building a solid block and inviting the Spaniards to attack while they attempted to strike on the counter. Germany winger Klara Buehl was impressive throughout, getting in behind the Spanish defence in the 63rd minute but shooting straight at keeper Cata Coll. With the Germans defending superbly, Spain struggled to break them down and they were almost caught out in stoppage time when Buehl had a deflected effort that Coll had to claw away, but the game ended scoreless, forcing extra time. Germany, who came into the game with a record of nine wins in 10 previous Euro semifinals, looked set to drag the match to penalties, but Bonmati had other ideas. For Bonmati, who suffered a meningitis-related health scare in the lead-up to the tournament, the goal was a sweet one as the Spaniards defeated Germany for the first time at a major finals. "[I feel] proud. We deserve it. We've had a brutal championship. But we've also had a great tournament so far up to today,' Bonmati said, acknowledging how tough it was to break the Germans down. 'Today we also suffered, of course, against Germany. It's the first time we've beaten Germany, too, and for those who win at the end of the European Championship, what more could you ask for, right?' Berger, who was the hero of Germany's quarterfinal shoot-out win over France, took responsibility for the goal that saw her side crash out of the tournament. 'I take the blame for that as well. The near post had to be covered, that's clear, and that's why I'm even more disappointed in myself,' she said. 'I can make as many saves as I want, but that goal should have simply been mine, and that's why I feel incredibly sorry, not even for myself, but for the team, because they really gave everything.'
News18
3 hours ago
- Sport
- News18
From hospital bed to hero: Bonmatís goal sends Spain to first Euros final
Zurich, Jul 24 (AP) Aitana Bonmatí began the Women's European Championship recovering from a hospital stay. On Wednesday, she steered Spain to another major final against England. The two-time Ballon d'Or winner scored the extra-time clincher in a 1-0 semifinal victory over Germany and set up a rematch of the World Cup final in 2023, when Spain beat England 2-1. Bonmatí's preparations for Euro 2025 were seriously disrupted when the Barcelona midfielder was hospitalized with viral meningitis less than a week before the tournament. 'I wanted to get to this game at my best level and that's thanks to all the people next to me, who helped me to reach this game at my top level because on my own it wouldn't have been possible," Bonmatí said. Bonmatí's goal created history for Spain. It was the first win in nine attempts against Germany and secured a place in the European final for the first time. 'I don't believe in destiny. I believe in hard work, my mentality, and all the support I have received," the 27-year-old Bonmatí said. The match was seven minutes from a nerve-wracking penalty shootout when Bonmatí gathered a pass and got past Rebecca Knaak with a clever dummy and turn before squeezing home an audacious attempt from the tightest of angles. The goal also ended a rare drought for Bonmatí, who hadn't scored in her previous six appearances. 'It wasn't easy for her at the beginning of the tournament but she has a special personality to be at the maximum level," Spain coach Montse Tomé said. 'She has a huge capacity to create spaces, where she can generate opportunities like today. 'And she managed to overcome the health issues she had at the beginning of the tournament. Good work was done with her to get her back to the level she's at now, she helps the team a lot." Spain is aiming to add the European title to its collection after winning the World Cup and Nations League in the past two years. To do that it has to get beat defending champion England in Basel on Sunday. 'Tomorrow we will think about England," Bonmatí said. 'Now it is time to celebrate." (AP) ATK ATK view comments First Published: July 24, 2025, 10:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
4 hours ago
- Sport
- News18
Aitana Bonmatí's Goal Sends Spain To Historic First Women's Euro Final
Last Updated: Aitana Bonmatí's extra-time goal led Spain to their first ever Women's European Championship final with a 1-0 win over Germany. Aitana Bonmatí scored during extra time to propel Spain into their first Women's European Championship final with a 1-0 victory over Germany on Wednesday, setting the stage for a repeat of the 2023 World Cup title match. Germany's resilient performance extended the match into extra time, but Spain clinched their maiden win in nine encounters against Germany thanks to a brilliant strike from the two-time Ballon d'Or winner. 'I feel so proud. We deserved this," Bonmatí said. 'We have played a great tournament throughout. We had a hard fight tonight, of course, because we were playing Germany. First to beat Germany and then to advance to the final of the Euros, who could ask for more?" In the 113th minute, Athenea del Castillo skillfully threaded the ball to Bonmatí, who outmaneuvered Rebecca Knaak with a clever dummy and turn before slotting home an audacious shot from a tight angle. 'We had analyzed her and knew that she would leave the near post unprotected, and that is what happened. I just slotted it home," Bonmatí said. Spain is now one victory away from adding the European Championship trophy to their collection, having won the World Cup and Nations League in the last two years. Montse Tomé's team will face defending champion England on Sunday in a repeat of the World Cup final that Spain won 1-0 two years ago. England also required extra time for a 2-1 win over Italy on Tuesday. It was a tough end to a stellar tournament for Berger, who had been the star of Germany's dramatic quarterfinal against France. 'I take the blame for that. The near post must be shut, absolutely," Berger said. 'That's why I'm even more disappointed in myself. 'I can make as many saves as I want, but that one should have been mine, and that's why I'm incredibly sorry. For the team, not for me, but for those who gave their all." Germany coach Christian Wück absolved Berger of any blame, acknowledging her 'saves that got us to where we are." 'We imagined it differently and to concede just before the end because of such a stroke of genius, that makes it incredibly bitter," he added. Germany was aiming for a record-extending ninth European title but faced the formidable world champion and pre-tournament favourite. Germany nearly stunned Spain early on when Klara Bühl sprinted onto a long ball from goalkeeper Berger, but her angled drive narrowly missed the right post. Germany stifled Spain's attack, which didn't have a clear chance until the 21st minute when Berger made a fantastic save to tip a shot from the tournament's top goalscorer Esther González over the bar. Giovanna Hoffmann should have given Germany the lead in the 29th minute, but she missed the ball right in front of goal with a fresh air shot after excellent play by Jule Brand. Spain finished the half strongly and came closest to breaking the deadlock shortly before the interval when Irene Paredes headed a corner off the post and González's overhead kick was blocked. Berger made two smart saves in stoppage time to deny first Gotham FC teammate González and then Clàudia Pina. Germany managed to keep Spain's star Bonmatí relatively quiet for almost an hour until she found some space and curled in a shot that Sophia Kleinherne slid to stop. Cata Coll had little to do all night, but the Spain goalkeeper kept her team in the tournament with a superb double save at the end of regulation time, first parrying from Bühl and then denying Carlotta Wamser. With AP Inputs view comments Location : Zurich, Switzerland First Published: July 24, 2025, 10:28 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Aitana Bonmati cracks German code to send Spain into Euro 2025 final
ZURICH – It took Aitana Bonmati 113 minutes to solve Germany's defensive riddle, but she finally found the answer in extra time, netting a brilliant winner that sent Spain through to Sunday's Women's European Championship final against England. For nearly two hours, the Spanish midfielder had been pressing, probing and passing as she tried to find a way through a rock-solid German defence intent on frustrating the reigning world and Nations League champions. The Germans defended superbly, staggering their defensive lines to prevent Spain from playing angled balls into space and forcing their opponents to shift the point of attack relentlessly. Spain began by attacking down the left with Claudia Pina and Olga Carmona before switching to the right side, where Mariona Caldentey was given free rein to attack. In the middle, Patri Guijarro and Alexia Putellas circulated the ball, keeping it moving from side to side, but it was Bonmati that the Spaniards turned to for inspiration. Despite the best efforts of the Germans to shut her down, the fleet-footed midfielder was the spider in the Spanish web, dropping deep at times to collect the ball, passing and moving quickly to try to pull the Germans out of shape. For the most part, Germany's defenders didn't take the bait and did their best to keep her out of her favourite pocket of space to the right of their penalty area. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Two soldiers wounded as Thai and Cambodia militaries clash at disputed border Singapore Boy, 15, charged after being caught with vapes 5 times; ordered to stay 2 years at S'pore Boys' Home Business MOM, police probing work injury claim flagged by late Sumo Salad boss Jane Lee: MOS Dinesh Business New tie-up offers insurance savings for SMEs committing to workers' health and well-being World Trump was told he is in Epstein files, Wall Street Journal reports Opinion The US dollar is down, but it has a lot going for it Singapore Ex-COO of Singaporean animal feed company charged with bribing manager at Malaysian firm Singapore Singapore Oceanarium will enhance tourism while supporting sustainability: Grace Fu Yet inevitably she managed to find a sliver of daylight there on occasion as she tried to tee up her strikers. The 27-year-old didn't have it all her own way, expressing frustration when she fired a second-half shot well wide of the target from a good position and scolding herself when her passes didn't come off. However, she never let her failures get her down, and when her chance came in the second period of extra time, she grabbed it with both hands. Athenea del Castillo began the decisive move by cutting out a clearance and sliding the ball into the box for Bonmati to chase. With trademark calculation, she quickly sized up the situation and spotted Germany keeper Ann-Katrin Berger had left a gap at her near post, firing the ball into the net from a tight angle. "The truth is that we had studied it -- well, Marisa, the goalkeeper coach, had told me that she (Berger) made certain movements, and that sometimes she left the near post clear and that's how it was," Bonmati said. It was a goal rooted in practice and preparation, and delivered with her characteristic skill and humility. "I don't believe in fate - I believe in work and in my mindset," she added. "Thanks to all the people who have supported me, because it hasn't been easy, and here I've had very good support, and at home too, so thanks always." REUTERS
