After two cancer bouts: Ann-Katrin Berger wants to enjoy the European Championship

In preparation for the first group match of the European Football Championship, which kicked off on Wednesday, the German women's team is enjoying a little distraction from football. While Wolfgang Petry recently visited the training camp in Herzogenaurach and not only celebrated a small musical party with the DFB women, but also recorded their official European Championship song, the team led by national coach Christian Wück has now arrived at the European Championship camp in Switzerland .

Ann-Katrin Berger explores Swiss nature

The tranquility and beautiful nature amidst the mountains have already made an impression in the first few days. Ann-Katrin Berger posted a photo on Instagram on Wednesday showing her holding a mobile phone and overlooking a lake with mountains. The German national team goalkeeper captioned the photo with the words "Discover Switzerland" and captioned the image with a smiley face with hearts in her eyes. As under her predecessor Horst Hrubesch, the 34-year-old is also the number one in the German goal under Wück and will guard the team's opening match against Poland on Friday evening (9 p.m.).

After recovering from thyroid cancer, she approaches the European Championship with special feelings. "For a long time, I felt strong, untouchable even, but that's gone since my two bouts of cancer," she said in a Stern double interview with Bayern goalkeeper Maria Luisa Grohs, who had to sit out this season due to a malignant tumor in her throat. "I now know how quickly my life can be in danger. I'm trying to be a bit more aware and enjoy everything these days, including the games for the national team this European Championship summer," said Berger, who was first diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2017 and subsequently underwent surgery.

During the 2022 European Championships in England , when she was the reserve goalkeeper for the German national team behind Merle Frohm, Berger learned that the cancer had returned, but kept it to herself. "I didn't want to burden my teammates or cause any unrest. The focus should be on the tournament, not on me," she explained. Following the tournament, she underwent a second successful treatment for the disease. At the moment, she has "no idea" when the next examination is due: "The alarm on my phone will ring and remind me. I don't want to think about it beforehand. I don't want to give the disease so much attention." Instead, she wants to enjoy the European Championships and the beautiful nature in Switzerland.