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Spain aims to end their poor record against Germany in the Women’s Euro 2025 semi-finals. Alexia Putellas is confident after their 2023 World Cup win.
Alexia Putellas wants to break the streak. (AP)
Spain is determined to put an end to their unfortunate past record against Germany when the teams face off in the Women’s Euro 2025 semi-finals on Wednesday. Midfield star Alexia Putellas is eager to make more history for the World Cup holders.
“We are really happy to be in this position. We go into the game full of hope and of course with confidence in ourselves,” Putellas told reporters in Zurich, ahead of the semi-final clash.
After winning the World Cup in 2023, Spain is now aiming to secure their first European Championship title and solidify their status as the leading force in international women’s football.
While Spain has never claimed the European Championship, Germany boasts a record eight continental titles and dominated women’s football in the early 2000s.
“We know Germany are one of the best teams in the world and that it will be very difficult, but we will try to get to our first Euro final first of all — that would be a big success,” said Putellas.
Spain has never beaten Germany, losing to them in the group stage of the 2019 World Cup and the last Euros in 2022. Germany also triumphed in the bronze medal match at last year’s Olympics, but Putellas dismissed the idea of seeking revenge in Wednesday’s clash.
“Personally I see it more as an opportunity for us rather than it being about revenge for the Olympics,” said the former Ballon d’Or winner.
“The Olympics is a totally different competition. I think we all agree that a Euro or World Cup is a different context altogether so you can’t compare them. But yes, we lost against them, and now we have the chance to beat them for the first time.”
She added: “We know it will be a very difficult game like any semi-final in a major tournament, but we are fully motivated to keep advancing and make more history.”
Spain will be without centre-back Laia Aleixandri due to suspension, while Sjoeke Nuesken and Kathrin Hendrich are banned for Germany, with the latter being red-carded in the quarter-final win over France on penalties. Sarai Linder is injured after leaving the field early in that match.
“Everyone knows what Spain is like. We are going to have to run a lot and suffer a lot because they are going to have more of the ball,” admitted Germany coach Christian Wueck.
With AFP Inputs
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- Location :
Zurich, Switzerland
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