Always the bridesmaid, or always the bronze, whichever way you look at it, Germany has cemented itself in that third-place spot at the Olympics.
On Friday, the Germans won their fourth Olympic bronze medal defeating Spain 1-0. Although it was their first bronze since 2008, the team has virtually had a lock on that position winning it every cycle from 2000 to 2008 before finally breaking through and winning gold in 2016.
It marks a return to form for Germany, who failed to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics and failed to advance out of the group stage at the 2023 World Cup. In six Olympic appearances, the team has won five medals. Their first Olympic appearance in 1996 was the only one where they failed to medal.
“We had some injuries, we had some infections, we had everything,” Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger told Olympics.com. “The belief from the coach [Horst Hrubesch] that every single person can actually do the job — I think that’s why we won the bronze medal.
“We just showed what we are capable of, and now we want more.”
For her part, Berger has shown up as the hero for Germany in this Olympic tournament, despite this being her first major tournament as the team’s starting goalkeeper. A 4-1 loss to the U.S. women’s national team was uncharacteristic for Berger, who held the USWNT to just one goal in the semifinal and only allowed one other goal against Zambia.
A clean sheet against Spain – the reigning World Cup champions who entered as favorites to win gold in this tournament – is no small feat, particularly when the team boasts the likes of Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati, both Ballon d’Or winners who have scored in this tournament.
And on Friday when it came time to step up big Berger did just that once again, saving a penalty attempt from Putellas in the ninth minute of stoppage time.
“I have no idea what I did at the penalty. I switched my head off,” Berger told DW. “The beaming and screaming faces that came toward me made me so happy.”
When it comes down to it, it’s been Berger’s tournament. In the quarterfinals, the keeper stopped shots from two separate Canada players before stepping up to the spot and sending home her effort to secure Germany’s place in the semifinals.
Giulia Gwinn provided what would eventually prove to be the game-winner, converting a penalty attempt in the 64th minute after being fouled by Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll. Each time Spain tried to knock on the door, they were denied. Teresa Abelleira and Bonmati were denied by the crossbar. Jenni Hermoso’s attempt at a rebound was blocked by a German defender.
“It was a little tough and slow in the beginning against the Spaniards, but we tried to do everything,” Germany captain Alexandra Popp told The Associated Press. “Maybe it wasn’t the most beautiful soccer that we’ve ever played, but I think we were efficient with our accuracy and our mentality, and luckily this led to the bronze medal.”
The women’s soccer tournament resumes on Saturday with the U.S. facing Brazil in the gold medal match. It is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. ET.
