Germany name Chelsea’s Sjoeke Nusken as vice-captain after Giulia Gwinn suffers tournament-ending injury

Chelsea FC v Celtic FC - UEFA Women's Champions League 2024-25 Group Stage MD4. Sjoeke Nusken has been named as Germany vice-captain after Giulia Gwinn's injury
Chelsea star Sjoeke Nusken has been named as vice-captain for Germany after the injury to regular captain Giulia Gwinn at Euro 2025. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Germany has named Sjoeke Nusken as vice-captain after regular captain Giulia Gwinn’s Women’s Euro 2025 tournament came to a premature end.

Gwinn suffered an injury during Germany’s 2-0 victory over Poland on Friday.

The Bayern Munich star has left the camp to begin her treatment and rehabilitation. However, she is expected to return to Switzerland to support her teammates later in the competition.

Unfortunately for Germany, this means they will have just 22 players for the remainder of the tournament. Regulations state that countries can only replace players up to 24 hours before their first match of the tournament.

Defender Janina Minge has been promoted from the vice-captain to captain’s role for the remainder of the tournament.

Germany manager Christian Wuck announced that Chelsea star Sjoeke Nusken will step up to the vice-captaincy role.

Why has Sjoeke Nusken been named as Germany vice-captain?

Germany head coach Christian Wuck has selected Sjoeke Nusken to take on the role as vice-captain, as Janina Minge is promoted to captain for Euro 2025 – replacing the injured Giulia Gwinn.

During a press conference, playmaker Linda Dallman explained that Wuck had told the squad that Nusken will take up the role for the remainder of the tournament.

Dallman added: “Sjoeke is a player who has taken enormous strides in recent years. The last game was very emblematic of her development.

“She’s always working her way into spaces one doesn’t expect to find her in. She wins balls out of the back for us and paves the way forward for us.

“She provides us an unimaginable amount of security with her playing style. I’m extremely proud that she features on this team with us.”

How did Giulia Gwinn get injured?

Germany captain Giulia Gwinn saw her Euro 2025 come to an early end in their victory over Poland.

The Bayern Munich right-back suffered a knee injury and was replaced after 40 minutes by Carlotta Wamser.

She was helped off the pitch in tears, and will be a big miss for Germany in the rest of the tournament.

Gwinn has twice suffered anterior cruciate ligament injuries during her career. She went down to the ground after appearing to twist her leg while preventing what looked to be a certain Polish goal.

A scan has shown she suffered a medial ligament injury in her left knee.

How long will Giulia Gwinn be out of action?

Giulia Gwinn will miss the remainder of Euro 2025 after suffering her knee injury against Poland.

A team statement said she is expected to be out for several weeks.

The news is positive for Bayern Munich ahead of the 2025-26 domestic season. However, it is a blow to Germany and Gwinn, who also missed the 2023 World Cup with an ACL injury.

What are Germany’s chances of winning Euro 2025 without Gwinn?

According to the UK’s best betting sites , Germany are still among the favourites to win Euro 2025, despite the injury suffered to Giulia Gwinn.

At the time of writing, they are priced at 5/1 to win the tournament. This puts them as joint-second favourites to win the tournament alongside France.

Spain remain the bookies’ favourites at odds of 1/1 to win their first Women’s Euros.

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