Germany have limped from one problem to the next in the last few years, but recent results have been encouraging.
What to expect
German football has always been seen as a beacon of stability, but just like the Mannschaft, the women’s team has had its fair share of drama in recent years, prompting questions about their pedigree and readiness for Euro 2025.
They reached the final of Euro 2022, losing to hosts England. Then, there was the acrimonious exit of Martina Voss-Tecklenburg following the first-round exit from the 2023 Women’s World Cup in a modest group that included Colombia, Morocco and South Korea. Horst Hrubesch took over as interim manager but at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Germany never gelled despite winning a bronze medal. Alexandra Popp, Svenja Huth, Marina Hegering and Merle Frohms retired after that podium finish.
Under current manager Christian Wuck, performances have been inconsistent and his managing style had led to tensions with the players. In the Nations League, the Germans beat the Netherlands 4-0 and put six past Austria, suggesting they could be a force to be reckoned with at Euro 2025.
Wuck left star player Lena Oberdorf out of the final squad because of her torn ACL. She is Germany’s best player and will be missed in Switzerland. He has selected a squad that mixes youth with experience and Germany will be looking to captain Gulia Gwinn to lead the team out of Group C which includes Sweden and Denmark as tricky opponents. Poland complete the quartet.
Wuck has oozed calm and confidence in the build-up to the tournament. Julian Nagelsmann has often done the same with the men’s team but without getting the desired results. By the time the Germans meet Sweden in their last group game in Zurich, they should have clinched their ticket to knockout phase.
Star Players
Gulia Gwinn (FC Bayern Munich) – Opinionated and experienced at 25, Gwinn (pictured) is the team’s captain, taking over from Popp. She tore her ACL in both knees, but came back twice. Gwinn was named best young player at the 2019 Women’s World Cup and featured in the lost Euro 2022 final. Already has 60 caps under her belt.
Linda Dallmann (FC Bayern Munich) – At 30, a veteran with a key role. Excellent ball retention and passing range. She reads the game well and she serves as a playmaker. Dallmann debuted for Germany in 2010 at the U-16 level. Yet to win a prize at senior level.
Head Coach
Christian Wuck was an in-house choice to lead the women’s national team after he spent a decade as a youth manager with the German FA. He led Germany’s U-17 to the world title in 2023. As a manager, Wuck favours attack. As a player, he featured for FC Nurnberg, Wolfsburg, Karlsruher SC and Arminia Bielefeld.
Schedule
July 4, 2025: vs Poland – Arena St. Gallen, St. Gallen, 9 pm
July 8, 2025: vs Denmark – St. Jakob-Park, Basel, 6 pm
July 12, 2025: vs Sweden – Letzigrund, Zurich, 9 pm