Working Together for Maximum Success - Sophia Kleinherne

BLACKROLL® is the official sleep product provider for the German national soccer teams. Together with the DFB teams, we share the belief that recovery is the key to sustained performance—in elite sports as well as in everyday life. We are particularly proud to support the team with our sleep products at the upcoming 2025 Women’s European Soccer Championship. After all, restful sleep is the best source of recovery. Especially during a tournament—with many games in a short period of time and enormous physical and mental challenges—it’s all the more important to start the day feeling fit and refreshed.

Interview with Sophia Kleinherne

Ahead of the European Championship, German defender Sophia Kleinherne talks about the team’s morale, the role recovery plays during a tournament, and what she does every morning to ensure it.

Performance Starts in Training

Sophia Kleinherne knows that the players will face increased demands during the European Championship in Switzerland. “We have a lot of games in a short period of time during the tournament, and we’re also traveling a lot. That means we have short recovery periods as a team.” That’s why the defender tried to lay the groundwork for the tournament ahead of time with intense training sessions and an increased training volume. “Sleep plays a crucial role in my recovery. Especially when there’s little time between games, it’s important for me to optimize my sleep!”

Recovery is key

BLACKROLL® sleep products are an essential part of this. “I always have the RECOVERY PILLOW with me—I use it at home, too. During training sessions with the team, we use the FASCIA GUN, the COMPRESSION BOOTS, as well as foam rollers and various straps.” Sophia has also developed her own routines for optimal recovery, which are firmly integrated into her daily life. "While on the national team, I go into the ice bath with my teammate Sjoeke (Nüsken) every morning before breakfast and after every training session. It’s become a routine we share." In addition, regular yoga and relaxation exercises are offered, which the players can use to recover mentally as well.

The excitement is palpable!

The atmosphere within the team couldn’t be better ahead of the opening game on Friday, July 4, against Poland. Sophia can already sense a great sense of euphoria within the team.

“The mood is great, the tension is building, and we’re all excited to write our own summer fairy tale!”

Teamwork Is the Key to the Title

The 25-year-old, who has already played in 34 senior international matches, knows exactly what it takes to create a summer fairy tale and achieve maximum success. “Teamwork is absolutely crucial in this tournament. In the end, the title will go to the best team, not the one with the best individual players. We embody this dynamic—everyone puts their ego aside and subordinates everything to the big goal. I love this attitude, and I can say with 100% conviction that everyone is living it to the fullest."

When asked about the German team’s goal, Sophia has a clear answer:

“We want to become European champions!!”

BLACKROLL® X DFB

At BLACKROLL®, we know that vital physiological and psychological processes take place in the body during sleep, contributing to recovery and mental strength and, above all, promoting holistic regeneration. The German national teams of the German Football Association also use the RECOVERY PILLOW and the RECOVERY BLANKET to ensure they can start training feeling energized and ready to perform after a healthy and restful night’s sleep, and to begin the day in top form at events such as the European Championship and the Olympics.