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UEFA Women's Nations League final preview: Germany vs. Spain
Christian Wück's side will host women's football powerhouse Spain in Kaiserslautern for the first-leg of the Nations League final. Germany finished third in the inaugural edition, but they reached the final this year after avenging their defeat to France from February 2024.
Spain were victorious back then with a 2-0 win over France in Seville. However, the final will be a two-legged affair this time around. After the game at the Fritz-Walter-Stadion on Friday, the two teams will meet again four days later at Atletico Madrid's Metropolitano Stadium.
Largely down to the status of their superstars at the ranks of Barcelona, Spain are currently regarded as the best women's national team in European football. However, the current world champions were unable to replicate their Nations League success in the European championship hosted by Switzerland in the summer.
They will start this final as the favorites, but their recent meeting with Germany required extra-time as Aitana Bonmatí’s strike sent Spain to the Euro final. Ann-Katrin Berger took responsibility for that goal after her heroic performance against France in the previous round.
Germany's goalkeeper missed last month's semi-final tie with France due to injury, but she is now back into the squad. The 35-year-old has just won the NWSL with Gotham FC. Yet, three players from the initial squad will miss the games for different reasons.
Athletic Club's defender Bibiane Schulze Solano and Bayern's Linda Dallmann are recalled to make up for the absences of Camilla Küver, Sydney Lohmann, and Lea Schüller. Klara Bühl and Nicole Anyomi are in top form for their respective clubs, while the captain Giulia Gwinn is back to her best after coming back from a serious injury.
Spain will continue to miss key midfielder Patri Guijarro due to an injury. It's a first chance of triumph for Sonia Bermúdez since the former international replaced Montse Tomé as Spain’s coach in October.
Predicted Lineups
Germany: Berger; Küver, Knaak, Hendrich; Kett, Nüsken, Senß, Gwinn ©; Bühl, Anyomi, Brand
Spain: Coll; Batlle, Paredes ©, Leon, Carmona; Bonmatí, Aleixandri, Putellas; Lopez, Pina, Caldentey
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