What a fight: In the semi-finals of the European Football Championship in England, the German women defeated a strong France and made it into the final. Alexandra Popp scored the two decisive goals. On Sunday there is a classic against the English women at the venerable Wembley Stadium.
In Wembley against England – the dream final is perfect: Led by the historically unique goalscoring giant Alexandra Popp, the German footballers attack the hosts after their ninth European title. The record European champions won the nerve-wracking semifinals 2-1 (1-1) against France thanks to their captain’s brace.
Serial clipper Popp with her fifth goal in the fifth European Championship game (40th) and another goal (76th) ensured the victory of the German selection, which on Sunday is in the final of a major tournament for the first time since Olympic gold in 2016. Each player is guaranteed a bonus of 30,000 euros, and the sum is doubled if they triumph in front of almost 90,000 fans in the English football temple. “I can’t put it all into words. We really threw everything in and are so incredibly happy,” said Popp on ZDF: “The team is great. Nobody expected us. Now we’re in the final against England, something There is nothing nicer.”
Even the first goal of the tournament, an own goal by goalkeeper Merle Frohms (44th), could not stop the Germans. The duel with the Lionesses is a repeat of the 2009 final. Back then, the Germans, who have never lost a European Championship final, celebrated the 6-2 win in Helsinki, the highest EURO final victory in history.
“We want to play our game and pose problems for our opponents,” national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg said shortly before kick-off on ZDF: “We’ll give everything and give it our all. If it’s enough, it’s phenomenal. If it’s not enough , we have nothing to blame ourselves for.” In front of 27,445 spectators in Milton Keynes, including Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser, DFB President Bernd Neuendorf and Managing Director Oliver Bierhoff, the German teams initially focused on ball security. The clean passing game had priority, the risk was avoided. Since the French on the other hand acted more cautiously, not much happened in the first ten minutes.
After almost 20 minutes, the Germans, in which the 19-year-old “chick” Jule Brand replaced the top performer Klara Bühl, who was infected with Corona, continued to have more of the game. Despite a few standard situations, the two-time world champion was unable to create any real chances. That changed in the 22nd minute. France goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin was able to defuse Popp’s free kick.
After that, surprisingly little came from the French on the offensive. The Germans, who stormed into the semi-finals with four wins without conceding a goal, had everything under control thanks to their united team management. The leadership of the DFB selection was in the air.
On the defensive, the concentrated Germans didn’t let anything go wrong, the field superiority and energetic grabs in the center increasingly annoyed the French. Popp’s goal after strong preliminary work from Svenja Huth was well deserved. The 31-year-old scored Germany’s 100th goal at European Championship finals with her energetic efforts in the penalty area.
The unfortunate equalizer before the break came more or less out of nowhere. Kadidiatou Diani’s long-range shot bounced off the post onto Frohm’s back – and from there into the goal.
At the beginning of the second half, Huth caused danger early on (47′). After an hour, the French women gained an overweight. With several good chances in this phase, the Germans were very lucky. After 70 minutes, the DFB-Elf was better in the game again – and Popp promptly hit a header. It was followed by a primal scream, exuberant jubilation – and entry into the final against England.