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Germany v France
First leg: Friday, Düsseldorf, 4.45pm (all times BST). Second leg; Tuesday, Caen, 8.10pm
“This is going to be a completely new game,” Germany’s coach, Christian Wück, told local media before this encounter. “We’re not going to think too much of the European Championship quarter-finals.”
It is, however, hard to believe that Wück and his team will not be looking to that Euro 2025 last-eight game for both motivation and inspiration. That match in Basel was memorable – a 10-player Germany coming from behind to beat their old rivals on penalties in a game they arguably should never have won but which showed them much about their character. It led to another reckoning for France, who have consistently fallen short at major tournaments.
A new season brings a fresh start for both as they look to mount a challenge to Spain’s Nations League title defence. Laurent Bonadei has the more stable squad. Although Amel Majri and Sandie Toletti have retired, 19 of his 23 from the Euros remain. The openings have led to first senior call-ups for Kysha Sylla, Inès Benyahia and Wassa Sangaré, who is impressing on loan at London City Lionesses.
Wück has had much more difficulty, with the Germany squad blighted by injury. Ann-Katrin Berger and Giovanna Hoffmann are out, the latter having ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament. There was more heartbreak this week when it was confirmed that Lena Oberdorf had sustained a second ACL injury, having returned from the first only in August.
Fresh recruits have been summoned. The goalkeepers Laura Dick and Rafaela Borggräfe come into the fold with Wück declaring the battle for the No 1 shirt an “open race”. The defender Camilla Küver has also received her first call-up alongside West Ham’s Shekiera Martinez.
This semi-final will tell us a lot about where both sides are at. France’s mentality was called into question and how they respond will be key to understanding where their future lies under Bonadei. They will be slight favourites, particularly with the second leg at home. Germany have learned a lot about themselves and their resilience in recent months. Wück will look to build on these foundations as he enters his second year at the helm.
Prediction: France win.
Spain v Sweden
First leg: Friday, Malaga, 7pm BST. Second leg: Tuesday, Gothenburg, 6pm
When Sweden meet Spain on Friday, it will signal the start of new eras for two sides who have undergone significant changes since they last took to the pitch.
As expected, Montse Tomé parted ways with La Roja after defeat by England in the Euro 2025 final. Missing out on the one trophy to elude Spain hurt and pushed the Royal Spanish Football Federation to make a decision. There were hopes that it would take a new direction after the controversy of recent years so there was considerable frustration, if little surprise, when Sonia Bermúdez was immediately named as the replacement. This is the first senior managerial role for the former Spain international. The 40-year-old has worked within the national system since 2022 and is felt to be of the same ilk as those who have come before her.
For Sweden, it is the true start of a new era. Peter Gerhardsson’s eight-year tenure also ended after a loss to the Lionesses – also in a shootout – although this handover was planned. Tony Gustavsson, the former Australia manager, has taken over as they look to finally get their hands on a trophy.
Spain, still hurting from the disappointment of the summer, will not surrender their title without a fight. The talent in their squad is undeniable – a glittering array of stars including Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmatí and Clàudia Pina. Jenni Hermoso has been recalled after being left out of the Euros and the Barcelona defender Mapí Leon has returned for the first time in three years. They are without the influential Patri Guijarro, however, after the influential Barcelona midfielder fractured a foot.
In Sweden, they face a team who will feel they should have achieved more. Gustavsson has left out six of the Euro 2025 squad, including the youngster Ellen Wangerheim and Tottenham’s Amanda Nildén. Rosa Kafaji – impressing on loan at Brighton from Arsenal – has earned a recall alongside Manchester United left-back Anna Sandberg, who has made a fine start to the season.
La Roja have won the last three meetings, including the 2023 World Cup semi-final, but both have developed in the past two years. It will be fascinating to see how two teams who play very different football – Spain’s possession-based style versus a more direct and transitional Sweden – match up with new managers at the helm.
Prediction: Spain win.
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