Ann-Katrin Berger was at it again. During the third group-stage match against Sweden, she once more courted disaster, teetering on the brink of a fatal loss of possession. One pass was overhit, and another was charged down by a striker, with the ball landing at an opponent’s feet on both occasions while German fans held their breath.
Berger was twice fortunate that her high-risk attempts to play out from the back did not result in a goal. Otherwise, the debate surrounding Germany’s goalkeeper would be even more fraught ahead of the quarter-final against France in Basel this Saturday. Her actions have become a source of fear—not for the opposition, but for her own supporters and coach.
She had already endangered the 2-1 victory over Denmark with her daring dribbles. Her first two successful forays past opponents drew a mix of head-shaking and astonishment from the crowd. However, a one-on-one confrontation outside her penalty area late in the match required a last-ditch extra touch after she misjudged the distance to the forward. The near-disaster turned public amazement into sheer exasperation.
“No,” was coach Christian Wück’s stark reply after the Denmark match when asked if Berger’s antics were acceptable. He then paused, looking around the press room to ensure his message hit home. He added that he would speak with her to “cure her of it,” joking, “Otherwise, I won’t live to see old age.”
His audacious goalkeeper, however, appeared to see things differently and has seemingly prevailed internally. Speaking to journalists after the Sweden game, she acted as if she was unaware of Wück’s statement. The coach himself later backtracked, dismissing the controversy as a media-driven debate. While he may regret his public criticism, it is unlikely his private opinion has changed.
Goalkeepers are often extreme characters who demand considerable patience, which is typically tolerated as long as they make crucial saves and bravely face down shots and strikers. Yet, even in her core duty of shot-stopping, Berger is not beyond reproach. Throughout the tournament in Switzerland, she has looked uncertain on several goals conceded.
This was most apparent during Sweden’s equalizer. Berger’s non-reaction to Stina Blackstenius’s shot, which fizzed just a meter past her, left many observers stunned. While she could hardly be faulted for failing to save the powerful strike, a goalkeeper is expected to at least make every effort to thwart an attempt.
Instead, Berger neglected even the preparatory hop keepers use to build body tension, similar to a tennis player at the net. She also shifted her weight onto the wrong leg. From a technical goalkeeping standpoint, it was far from a masterclass. Simply standing still sends a clear signal to the opposition: “Shoot here. The odds are in your favor.”
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