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Football London
Football London
Sport
Tom Harle

Chelsea and Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger on her one key wish ahead of EURO 2022

Chelsea's Ann-Katrin Berger wants the world to see the improvement in goalkeeping in women's football at EURO 2022.

One of the leading custodians in the world, the Germany star will be gunning for glory at July's tournament in England.

Berger is delighted that a key feature of the 16-team showpiece will be the skyrocketing in standards of goalkeeping across the board.

"I'm happy that goalkeepers are getting the recognition," she said.

"There was a lot of talk about smaller goals for women's goalkeepers, but if you don't give us a goalkeeper coach who trains us every day, how can we get better?

"That doesn't happen in the men's game and it's the same for outfield players, you just won't improve if you don't have the right attention.

"You have to get regularly training to get to the higher level and goalkeepers now have improved massively. It's really, really nice to see."

Germany have dominated the Euros landscape and have won it eight times, more than any other nation.

But it feels like anyone's trophy to lift this time with fellow former winners Spain and Netherlands also aiming for the Wembley final on July 31.

Sarina Wiegman’s England will be fancied to go deep in the tournament but the explosion of the club game in Spain makes them early favourites, led by Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas.

"We have so many leagues in Europe now and they're really improving," said Berger.

"We will have Europe's finest at this tournament and you will see a lot of different playing styles, a lot of different cultures and football at the highest level.

"Because the leagues are getting better, the international level in Europe will get even higher.

"I wouldn't be surprised if at the next World Cup and the Olympics, a lot of European countries will be up there.

“It's the most competitive tournament yet, for sure. There are so many countries who can win it and fans will see top players who play in leagues around the world.

“It will be massive for women's football in general. England have improved on and off the pitch and it will be a big tournament for football around the world."

Chelsea fans are among the most fervent in the country and Emma Hayes's side have set the standard in the domestic game in recent seasons.

Capacity crowds have descended on Kingsmeadow to watch the Blues who brought home a stunning treble of domestic prizes last season.

As well as the final at Wembley, West London will be one of the epicentres of the tournament with Brentford Community Stadium hosting three games.

Berger will wow fans there twice, against Denmark and then in one of the headline ties of the group stages when they face Spain on 12 July.

“Women's football fans - and Chelsea ones - are everywhere now!" said Berger. "I can't wait for them to come out and cheer for us in West London in particular.

“England has become my second home and I’m can't wait to show the world how crazy the fans can be and the passion they have for the women's game."

Tickets for UEFA Women's EURO England 2022 are on sale now. Visit: www.uefa.com/womenseuro/ticketing

The tournament takes place across nine cities in England from 6-31st July 2022.

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