Germany feeling 'empty' after almost successful team rebuilding

Ann-Katrin Berger's quiet words were almost drowned out while Spain loudly celebrated and danced around the team bus in the rain after beating Germany to reach the women's Euro 2025 final.

Meanwhile, Berger was taking responsibility for the 1-0 defeat in the semi-finals on Wednesday evening.

Aitana Bonmatí's 113th-minute goal was tough on the German goalkeeper, who has shone this tournament but said she should have done better while expecting a cross.

"I'm terribly sorry that I couldn't be there at that moment. The team deserved terribly to be in the final," she said.

"I should have known better. A brilliant player like Bonmatí naturally sees the smallest gap. I'm disappointed in myself," said Berger, who who saved two penalties in the quarter-finals shoot-out against France.

Coach Christian Wück, however, made it clear that he didn't blame Berger for the defeat.

"She didn't have to do that (take responsibility). She made so many wonderful saves that got us to where we are. There is no blame, we are very proud of the team."

While Spain will now face defending champions England for the 2025 title, Germany will return home feeling "completely empty."

"We're now completely empty, I'm also empty and need four, five days to get my thoughts straight again. But we can still be proud," Wück said.

Wück led team's rebuilding

Euro 2025 was Wück's first tournament with the national team as he took charge after the Paris Olympics and following some turbulent times.

Germany suffered a huge blow at the 2023 women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and missed the knock-out stage for the first time in their history.

After the tournament, then coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg stepped away with an illness and her contract was later voided.

Horst Hrubesch took over the team on an interim basis and helped them claim bronze at the Paris Olympics last summer against Spain.

For the Euros, Wück notably missed former captain Alexandra Popp, who retired for the national team, and had to start rebuilding the team.

"We initiated a rebuild in October of last year. We brought several young players into our team and had a few players that retired that we had to find replacements for," he said.

"I think that the growth we've undergone was clear to see. I don't think many people would have expected us to reach the semi-finals. We came so close."

Messages from Steinmeier and Merz

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who attended the game against Spain, praised the team on Instagram after the match.

"You are true role models. You deserve our greatest thanks and respect!" he wrote.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz couldn't be at the game in Switzerland due to the visit of France President Emmanuel Macron to Berlin, but was planning to attend the final in case Germany had advanced.

"You fought hard until the end, but unfortunately it wasn't enough. Dear women's team, thank you for these great football moments - we are proud of you," he said on X.