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SportsGermany U19 women reach European Championship final with 1-0 extra-time win over Austria
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The German U19 women's football team has advanced to the European Championship final after a dramatic 1-0 semi-final victory over Austria in extra time. The match-winner was 18-year-old midfielder Tessa Zimmermann, who headed in a corner at the far post. The team, coached by former world champion Melanie Behringer, had previously swept host nation Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-0, drawn 1-1 with Poland, and beaten Sweden 2-0 to top their group. This marks a significant achievement after failing to qualify for the last two European Championships. The final against Spain will take place on Friday at 6 p.m. (RTL+). Germany seeks revenge after losing the last U19 final to Spain in a penalty shootout in 2023. The senior women's team also lost to Spain in the Nations League final last year.
Source report
Another final awaits the German women's football team. The senior national team under head coach Christian Wück (53) competed in the Nations League final last year (0-0 and 0-3 against Spain). The U17 team won the European Championship title in May in the final against France. Now the U19 team is aiming for the big prize: the European Championship final against Spain.
Failed to Qualify for the European Championship Twice Recently
This achievement is particularly significant. "Just qualifying for the European Championship was a great success," said coach Melanie Behringer, herself a former world champion and Olympic champion. After two failed attempts to qualify for a European Championship, her team has now returned to the finals, which are being held in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Before the tournament, Behringer expressed one wish: "The girls should perform just like in the previous games: with ambition, passion, and courage. If they bring that onto the pitch, then we will play an important role in this European Championship as well." She would be proven right.
Marie Gmeineder (18/M.) holds off Austrian Katie Richter (18/l.) Photo: UEFA via Getty Images
Tessa Zimmermann Shoots DFB Girls into the Final
The DFB talents swept the host nation 5-0 in the first group match. After a 1-1 draw against Poland, they secured top spot in the group with a 2-0 win against Sweden. Tuesday evening saw the dramatic semi-final against Austria. Behringer's girls applied pressure but had to go into extra time with a 0-0 scoreline.
There, Tessa Zimmermann became the match-winner. The 18-year-old midfielder from Eintracht Frankfurt headed in a corner at the far post – the 1-0 victory. Zimmermann had also scored the equalizer in the shaky game against Poland. "It's naturally a great feeling because we are now in the final and have rewarded ourselves for our performance, for the 120 minutes we fought here. That's outstanding," said the goalscorer.
Source: BILD 08.07.2026
Final on Friday Against Spain
Coach Behringer praised: "The players fought passionately for 120 minutes. We were very disciplined throughout the entire game and deserved to win. Now it's about recovering." The final against Spain takes place on Friday (6 p.m./RTL+). "As a child, you dream of being allowed to play a final. And now we are rewarding ourselves for the years before when we didn't make it. Now we just want to enjoy it," said Zimmermann.
Germany still has a score to settle with Spain. The last U19 final ended in a narrow defeat. In 2023, Spain had the better of the penalty shootout.
Source
BILD - SportWestern
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Germany U19 Women Lose to Spain in European Championship Final