Other, central players on the pitch tend to be relegated to the background. This is especially true for the goalkeepers of the teams. But at the European Championship, they are suddenly the talk of the town.

“Out of the offside” – the women’s soccer podcast from 90min.
In our latest episode, we talk about the 10 best moments of the European Championship quarterfinals. Listen now!

“Yes, it’s given that way,” Hedvig Lindahl answers when asked if goalkeepers are passed over at major tournaments. She spoke exclusively with in June during the Swedish pre-camp 90min On her role at the European Championships. “Goalkeepers are just above referees in value. But we know that we have 50% [unserer] Team, and that’s enough.”

Lindahl made her tournament debut for the Swedish national team at the 2002 European Championships, and much has changed since then, including the player’s role between the posts. “I had [mit der fehlenden Aufmerksamkeit] to struggle when I was younger and it was important to be seen and stuff,” Lindahl admits. Today, and nearly 200 caps, her perspective has changed. “I know the value of a goalkeeper and I’m happy with that. One recognizes [die Wichtigkeit], when [die Nummer Eins im Tor], for whatever reason, is not available. That’s when you see a team struggle.”

A similar scene was assumed on 09 July, when the reigning European champions from the Netherlands met Sweden in their first European Championship group match. Captain and legionnaire Sari van Veenendaal suffered a serious shoulder injury in the first half and had to be substituted. For her, the tournament was already over at that moment. On the sidelines, her still unknown replacement was ready: Daphne van Domselaar.

For the 22-year-old FC Twente keeper, it was only her second international appearance for Oranje. But that was not at all apparent to her. Dominant and confident, she immediately dominated the penalty area and communicated loudly with her defenders. Van Domselaar kept her team in the game with several brilliant saves against the otherwise offensively strong Swedes. The young goalkeeper played a key role in the 1-1 final score.

Her story continued to write itself all the way to the quarterfinals. In the match against France, she recorded an incredible ten saves there, more than any other goalkeeper. Further strong heroics between the posts brought much recognition and attention to the new number one of the Netherlands. Many of her saves went viral on social media. Even despite Oranje’s bitter elimination against France, van Domselaar is considered one of the great discoveries of the tournament.

Another name closely associated with Euro 2022 is that of Nicky Evrard. With the Belgian, another goalkeeper ran to unimagined heights during the games so far. She has not only been the target of various top strikers. One of the highlights of the tournament was Evrard’s penalty save against France captain Wendie Renard.

While Belgium started the tournament as underdogs, they quickly emerged as a surprise team that held off the competition from France and Italy for long periods. Goalkeeper Evrard also played a major role in the team’s celebrated run to the quarter-finals as group runners-up. It is worth noting that she, like some of her teammates, does not play as a full-time professional.

But that in no way prevented the Belgian from picking up a Player of the Match award. These traditionally go less often to goalkeepers than to offensive players. The game in which she was honored was also special, namely in the lost quarterfinal against Sweden (0:1). Evrard recorded seven saves against the Scandinavians. Throughout the tournament, she fended off a total of 21 shots on goal (an average of 5.25 saves per game).

The goalkeeper also made just four saves and boasted two penalty saves.

Other goalkeepers are also making their mark at the European Championships. Germany’s number one goalkeeper, Merle Frohms, didn’t concede a single goal until the semifinals. No other keeper has managed that in this tournament.

Admittedly, this may also be due to the stable defensive chain in front of her. Nevertheless, Frohms has always intervened safely and reliably when there has been danger in front of the German goal. Her heroics in the group game against Spain in particular will be remembered by many enthusiastic fans.