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BBC News
22-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Where will Germany v Spain semi-final be won and lost?
It is not often that Germany are the underdogs, but they will be when they take on Spain for a place in the Euro 2025 have never reached the final of a Women's European Championship before, but the the 2023 World Cup winners have excelled throughout this tournament and are the only remaining unbeaten team in winners Germany, meanwhile, face potential issues with squad depth, suffered a big defeat in the group stage, and had to come from behind against France - down to 10 players for most of the game - to win on Spain, who beat Switzerland 2-0 in the last eight, have lost their past two meetings with their Euro 2025 semi-final approaches, BBC Sport analyses the key areas which could prove the difference and who is more likely to come out on top. Styles of play will clash While Spain have played expansive, possession-based football throughout Euro 2025, it has been a different story for to be defensive against France after Kathrin Hendrich was sent off in the 13th minute, they finished their quarter-final having had just 25.6% a level was lower than usual for Germany, but even in games where the dynamics are different they have not focused as much on holding the have averaged 73.5% possession, the most of any side at Euro 2025, while Germany have averaged 53.6%, the passing accuracy - along with number of passes into the final third and total passes - are also the best of any team at the average, they have created the third-highest number of big chances, while Germany are ranked manager Christian Wuck said his side "will suffer" and have limited possession on Wednesday, but they will work to "find the right moments". His side's best chance is to find ways to attack on the break, but they will probably have to endure lots of time without the ball."I think everyone knows the Spanish players," Wuck said. "They play the same sort of football, short passes. I think we will chase them a lot, we won't have a lot of possession and we will suffer but we have to find the right moments and to take advantage of the right moments to push our game." Can Germany's depleted squad cope with Spain's depth? Germany must recover from the physical demands of a quarter-final in which they were a player short for 107 minutes, and they must do so with fewer players is suspended following her red card, while Chelsea midfielder Sjoeke Nusken is banned after receiving two Germany are severely lacking in full-backs: Sarai Linder is out of the rest of the tournament with ankle ligament damage sustained against France and captain Giulia Gwinn has been sidelined since picking up an injury in their opening group may be an issue across the board for Germany, but they are boosted by Carlotta Wamser's return from have nearly all of their squad available, with only suspended defender Laia Aleixandri unable to take part on Tome's side also benefit from having had an extra day to rest and key advantage for Spain will be their squad depth, with an ample number of high-quality players available to bring off the depth has proved important at Euro 2025, with Athenea del Castillo coming on and breaking the deadlock in their quarter-final victory over while Germany have not had as long to prepare, Tome believes they will "compete to the limit".She said: "Germany are always good physically, they are a strong team, they are good in defence and attack. They are probably tired because they had a player less but these kinds of things are not something we can control." Can Spain's attacking threat be stopped? Spain have been rampant at Euro 2025. No team has scored as many goals, or produced as many expected have been dominant in the final third in all of their fixtures, controlling the ball in the opposition's half and creating total, they have scored 16 goals in four matches, beating Portugal 5-0 and Belgium Gonzalez has netted four, making her the top scorer at Euro 2025, while Alexia Putellas has scored three and provided four have had nine different scorers, while Germany's six goals have come from just three dominance of the ball, combined with relentless pressing in the final third, suggests Germany can expect a test of endurance."We'll try to have the possession, but what may be different is how we will do it," Tome said. "Their defence is different; during the tournament, they've changed things. We see where they can leave spaces and from there we work out how we will attack those spaces."We need to have the ball and then with the space we will attack - but Spain need to have the ball." Who will win the midfield battle? While Spain have dominated in the opposing half, Germany have focused their efforts down the Brand has scored two and assisted two of Germany's six goals, playing mainly out wide but also moving inside when will aim to prevent Germany gaining possession in the middle of the pitch and threatening down the flanks."We want to have control of the game," Spain midfielder Putellas said. "We understand this means keeping the ball most of the time."Evidence from previous fixtures suggests Spain can control play down the Germany will take hope from the way Switzerland caused Spain problems out wide in their to that game, former England midfielder Izzy Christiansen said Spain will "know they have to improve".She added: "You wonder if Spain had been playing a higher-level team, would they have put on a higher-level performance?"They were forced into mistakes by the Switzerland shape and their attitude and body language wasn't great, and when you get into that state of mind you're not in control."
The Independent
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Is South Africa vs Italy on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Springboks
South Africa play their first fully-fledged international of 2025 as they take on Italy in Pretoria. The Springboks shook off some of the rust with a non-capped thrashing of the Barbarians last week, but the intensity ratchets up as Italy bid to build on a win over Namibia that began their tour. Rassie Erasmus takes few chances with his selection in a nod to Italy's recent rise, with the South Africa boss expecting a stern test and recalling a couple of World Cup winners to his side. Can their visitors cause a shock? Here's everything you need to know. When is South Africa vs Italy? South Africa vs Italy is due to kick off at 4.10pm BST on Saturday 5 July at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Action, with coverage on the channel from 3.50pm BST. A live stream will be available via Sky Go and NOW. Jesse Kriel captains the Springboks in the absence of Siya Kolisi having also led the side in the non-capped clash with the Barbarians last week. Vincent Tshituka earns an international debut in the back row with Marco van Staden filling in for the skipper on the openside, while Handre Pollard and Damian Willemse take over as the chief playmakers at 10 and 15 respectively. It is, as is custom, a frighteningly good bench, with Willie le Roux in line for a 99th cap as one of two backs replacements - Faf de Klerk is the other as 'Bomb Squad' regulars like Vincent Koch, RG Snyman and Kwagga Smith await deployment. There's a fresh feel to parts of the Italy side, who are without Michele Lamaro, Juan Ignacio Brex, and Sebastian Negri, among others. Lock Niccolo Cannone captains a side that also contains brother Lorenzo, while Tommaso Di Bartolomeo starts at hooker with Giacmo Nicotera (who had been due to skipper) out with a rib injury. Gonzalo Quesada matches the Springboks with a six/two bench, with three forward debutants among his sextet of replacements: hooker Pablo Dimcheff, lock Matteo Canali and flanker David Odiase should all earn their first international caps at some stage. South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Wilco Louw; 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Lood de Jager; 6 Marco van Staden, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Morne van den Berg, 10 Handre Pollard; 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel (capt.), 14 Cheslin Kolbe; 15 Damian Willemse. Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Franco Mostert, 21 Kwagga Smith; 22 Faf de Klerk, 23 Willie le Roux. Italy XV: 1 Danilo Fischetti, 2 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 3 Simone Ferrari; 4 Niccolo Cannone (capt.), 5 Andrea Zambonin; 6 Alessandro Izekor, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 8 Lorenzo Cannone; 9 Alessandro Fusco, 10 Giacomo Da Re; 11 Simone Gesi, 12 Marco Zanon, 13 Tommaso Menoncello, 14 Louis Lynagh; 15 Jacopo Trulla.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Is South Africa vs Italy on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Springboks
South Africa play their first fully-fledged international of 2025 as they take on Italy in Pretoria. The Springboks shook off some of the rust with a non-capped thrashing of the Barbarians last week, but the intensity ratchets up as Italy bid to build on a win over Namibia that began their tour. Advertisement Rassie Erasmus takes few chances with his selection in a nod to Italy's recent rise, with the South Africa boss expecting a stern test and recalling a couple of World Cup winners to his side. Can their visitors cause a shock? Here's everything you need to know. When is South Africa vs Italy? South Africa vs Italy is due to kick off at 4.10pm BST on Saturday 5 July at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Action, with coverage on the channel from 3.50pm BST. A live stream will be available via Sky Go and NOW. Team news Jesse Kriel captains the Springboks in the absence of Siya Kolisi having also led the side in the non-capped clash with the Barbarians last week. Vincent Tshituka earns an international debut in the back row with Marco van Staden filling in for the skipper on the openside, while Handre Pollard and Damian Willemse take over as the chief playmakers at 10 and 15 respectively. Advertisement It is, as is custom, a frighteningly good bench, with Willie le Roux in line for a 99th cap as one of two backs replacements - Faf de Klerk is the other as 'Bomb Squad' regulars like Vincent Koch, RG Snyman and Kwagga Smith await deployment. There's a fresh feel to parts of the Italy side, who are without Michele Lamaro, Juan Ignacio Brex, and Sebastian Negri, among others. Lock Niccolo Cannone captains a side that also contains brother Lorenzo, while Tommaso Di Bartolomeo starts at hooker with Giacmo Nicotera (who had been due to skipper) out with a rib injury. Gonzalo Quesada matches the Springboks with a six/two bench, with three forward debutants among his sextet of replacements: hooker Pablo Dimcheff, lock Matteo Canali and flanker David Odiase should all earn their first international caps at some stage. Line-ups South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Wilco Louw; 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Lood de Jager; 6 Marco van Staden, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Morne van den Berg, 10 Handre Pollard; 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel (capt.), 14 Cheslin Kolbe; 15 Damian Willemse. Advertisement Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Franco Mostert, 21 Kwagga Smith; 22 Faf de Klerk, 23 Willie le Roux. Italy XV: 1 Danilo Fischetti, 2 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 3 Simone Ferrari; 4 Niccolo Cannone (capt.), 5 Andrea Zambonin; 6 Alessandro Izekor, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 8 Lorenzo Cannone; 9 Alessandro Fusco, 10 Giacomo Da Re; 11 Simone Gesi, 12 Marco Zanon, 13 Tommaso Menoncello, 14 Louis Lynagh; 15 Jacopo Trulla. Replacements: 16 Pablo Dimcheff, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Muhamed Hasa, 19 Matteo Canali, 20 Ross Vintcent, 21 David Odiase; 22 Alessandro Garbisi, 23 Giulio Bertaccini.
