Germany successfully defended their European Championship crown, this time via a penalty shootout, after the game finished goalless.
Goalkeeper Stina Johannes impressed again when facing spot kicks, saving one, and it was Melissa Kössler who converted the decisive penalty.
”It’s overwhelming, I don’t know what to say. We didn’t start well, Spain made it very difficult for us but no-one scored. I’m overjoyed that we won in the end,” said DFB Team coach Anouschka Bernhard.
Kössler was equally as overwhelmed: “I can’t describe the feeling right now. It’s a dream come true for us all, I’m happy we’ve rewarded ourselves for our hard work. The match today was very tiring, but we always believed in ourselves.”
On a rain-sodden surface in the Czech Republic, Spain put Johannes under pressure from the very start and she was called into action in the 2nd minute to make a terrific save from Claudia Pina.
Spain also looked threatening from set pieces, while after 15 minutes Germany got a better foothold in the game, with Lena Oberdorf and Melissa Kössler looking the most likely to make something happen.
A heavy half time shower caused both teams more problems in the second period but the Spaniards dealt with the conditions better and were the more attacking.
However, Bernhard’s team looked solid in defence and became increasingly more threatening on the counter. Goal-scoring opportunities did remain few and far between, however.
The best chances in the second half were provided by Spain, but Johannes foiled both Candela Andujar Jimenez and Eva Maria Navarro. In stoppage time, Kössler had another good opportunity, but was judged to have been offside.
In the penalty shoot-out, Oberdorf scored first. Carla Piqueras Bautista and captain Laia Aleixandri both missed, and after Lea Bahnemann put the ball wide, Verena Wieder netted to make it 2-0. Johannes guessed correctly to stop Anna Torrodá’s penalty, and after Pina successfully found the back of the net, the tournament’s top goalscorer converted for the win.
“I’m happy about the golden Boot. I didn’t expect it, but it’s just an additional prize – the main thing is that we won the title,” said Kössler.
Source / photo – dfb.de
