Germany defender Sarai Linder has been ruled out of her team’s Women’s European Championship semifinal against Spain, leaving the eight-time champion short of defenders against the tournament favorites.

In terms of challenges that two-time cancer survivor Ann-Katrin Berger has overcome, making a string of saves in Germany’s Euro 2025 quarterfinal victory over France on Saturday night is relatively low down on the list.

The Germans played down a player for 105 minutes plus stoppage time, and somehow outlasted a frustrated France in penalties.

With seven places between the two sides in the world rankings, England are definite favourites coming into the match, although Italy do have the advantage of an extra day of rest and winning their quarter-final in normal time.