Squad for the Nations League semi-finals: Captain Gwinn and Oberdorf back in the national team

Hopeful Lena Oberdorf returns to the German national team 15 months after her last international match. While regular goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger is out injured, captain Giulia Gwinn is also in the squad for the Nations League semifinals after her early exit from the European Championship. Oberdorf tore her cruciate ligament in July 2024. She returned to training before the European Championship in the summer, but without match practice, it wasn't enough to earn a place in the squad. Gwinn injured her knee in the opening match of the tournament in Switzerland and only made her comeback at the end of September against Bayern.

In total, national coach Christian Wück made six changes to his 23-man squad compared to the European Championship. Three newcomers were called up: goalkeeper Laura Dick from TSG Hoffenheim, defender Camilla Küver from VfL Wolfsburg, and striker Shekiera Martinez from West Ham United. Nicole Anyomi and Bibiane Schulze Solano, who were also recently absent due to injury, will also be back for the matches against France on October 24 in Düsseldorf (5:45 p.m., ARD) and on October 28 in Caen (9:10 p.m., ZDF).

The 3-1 win in the top match against Wolfsburg can't make up for the 7-1 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League. But it does calm the nerves.

"We are very much looking forward to the two semi-final matches against France," said Wück: "Both matches are a major challenge in sporting terms. We had to make some changes to the squad due to injuries, which also offers the opportunity for new players to prove themselves at the highest level." The team will "have to pool all its strengths."

In addition to Berger, who is temporarily out due to a knee injury and, like Kathrin Hendrich, plans to wait until the end of the year to decide on her future with the German national team, Giovanna Hofmann (torn cruciate ligament), Sophia Kleinherne (thigh), and Rebecca Knaak (meniscus) are also out of the European Championship squad. Sara Däbritz retired at the beginning of October, and Linda Dallmann is available for selection. The German team meets in Düsseldorf on Monday.

At the European Championship this summer, the German national team beat France 6-5 on penalties in the quarterfinals. The winner of these matches will qualify for the Nations League final, while the loser will play for third place. Their opponents in the final international matches of the year on November 28 and December 2 will be either Spain or Sweden.

Goal: Laura Dick, Stina Johannes, Ena Mahmutovic

Defense: Giulia Gwinn, Kathrin Hendrich, Franziska Kett, Camilla Küver, Sarai Linder, Janina Minge, Bibiane Schulze Solano, Carlotta Wamser

Midfield/Attack: Nicole Anyomi, Jule Brand, Klara Bühl, Selina Cerci, Laura Freigang, Sydney Lohmann, Shekiera Martinez, Sjoeke Nüsken, Lena Oberdorf, Lea Schüller, Elisa Senß, Cora Zicai