France-Germany: and in the end, it's not always the Frauenteam that wins

For two decades, its women's footballers dominated Europe. Between 1989 and 2013, Germany only missed out on one continental title, in 1993. It's quite simple: they are the most successful team in the history of the European Nations Championship . Since then, the DFB Frauenteam's (the women's team in French) luster has faded a little. The team did win the Olympic crown in Rio in 2016, but they are no longer the relentless winning machine they once were.

Facing the French team for a place in the last four of Euro 2025, Saturday July 19, in Basel (Switzerland), Germany remains a formidable opponent. In 2022, it was they who put an end to the adventure of the Blues (2-1) in the semi-finals , before losing to England, the host country, in the final (1-2).

The last duel between the two teams, in February 2024, in the Nations League turned to the advantage of the French (2-1) , but there is no question of approaching the match with excess confidence or an inferiority complex. Coach Laurent Bonadei knows that this match against the Frauenteam will be "difficult" . "It is also in this kind of test that we will see if we have the capacity to aspire to more than a quarter-final," he explained in a press conference.

Alongside Norway, Sweden, and the United States, Germany was a pioneering country in women's football, recalls former French international Camille Abily, now a consultant for the TF1 channel. " It was truly ahead of the more Latin countries that took time to develop, with exceptional players like Birgit Prinz [five European titles, two world titles] and Steffi Jones [three European titles, one world title], she recalls. It's the other nations that have progressed rather than them regressing, even if their last title dates back to 2016."

Ten years ago, Camille Abily's Les Bleues were knocked out by the Germans at the World Cup in Canada on penalties. But, for this Euro, the former midfielder gives the French the advantage. "They have the means to beat this opponent. For me, they are slight favorites, even if I know they don't like that status too much," says the Chelsea assistant coach, convinced by the "successful first round" of Laurent Bonadei's group.

The group stage was more mixed for the Germans. After two wins, against Poland (2-0) – a match in which their captain Giulia Gwinn was seriously injured – and Denmark (2-1), coach Christian Wück's players conceded first place to Sweden, after a heavy defeat (1-4). A rout that Camille Abily is keen to qualify, however: "an early red card [for full-back Carlotta Wamser in the ^31st minute] distorted the match." Laurent Bonadei imagines that they will be "out for revenge" on Saturday, like goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, who was criticized at home after her poor performance against the Scandinavians.

While they are expected to show a different face in this quarter-final, the former number 10 of the Blues thinks that their defense, still without Giulia Gwinn and Carlotta Wamser, her replacement - is "below" the attack of France, which managed to shake England during the group stages on July 5 , "a more complete team" .

In return, the offensive strength of Lea Schüller's teammates, an opportunistic scorer, will have to be monitored. "In attack, the young [German] generation has talent: Klara Bühl [24 years old] and Jule Brand [22 years old] are making a very good start to the Euro," analyses Camille Abily. The probable returns of captain Griedge Mbock and Maëlle Lakrar to the French defense could prove crucial in containing the German qualities.

Whichever team emerges victorious from this quarter-final, the rest of the match is already shaping up to be a tricky one. In the semi-finals on July 23, they will face the overwhelming favorite, Spain, who defeated hosts Switzerland 2-0 on Friday evening.