After years of disappointment, England’s footballers think they’re ready for the title. In the final of the European Championship, it is of all things against the old rival Germany. In front of the record crowd of almost 90,000 spectators in the legendary Wembley Stadium, a young fan should also help. It is important to avoid déjà vu.
More than 80,000 euphoric supporters let the witches’ cauldron Wembley tremble, Prince William announces royal support – and millions of English people cheer in front of the televisions: Almost endless 56 years of pain should finally end for the motherland of football on Sunday. “Fate calls,” headlined the “Daily Express” pathetically. Her team had stormed furiously through the European Championship group phase, which they had finished with 14:0 goals. After the showdown against Spain (2-1), Sarina Wiegman’s team almost got drunk in the semifinals against Sweden (4-0) – garnished with Alessia Russo’s dream goal. With the heel she played the ball through the legs of the Swedish goalkeeper. Football can be so beautiful. And so successful.
“The time is right,” ex-national player Karen Carney said in the “Mirror” interview. “The next step for us is to win the thing.” England failed in the semifinals three times in a row (EUR 2012, World Cup 2015, EUR 2017). Similar to the English football men, it always seemed to stumble down the home stretch. England are now unbeaten in 19 games. On the island everyone is therefore in agreement: Rarely has the chance for an English football team – women and men – been so great to win a title. But the players hide the expectations, before the final against Germany there should be no excessive nervousness.
So the Lionesses build Lego figures in their team hotel, organize darts tournaments or play hide-and-seek. “It’s good to stay calm,” said midfielder Lauren Hemp, grinning. On the island, nobody feels like deja vu – and in more ways than one. On the one hand, there was the Three Lions’ lost European Championship final “at home” against Italy last year.
“Hopefully the final will be much better than the men’s,” said Wiegman with a wink. The statement could be interpreted beyond the sporty. Because last year’s final was overshadowed by chaotic and violent scenes at the entrance, hundreds of fans entered Wembley Stadium without a valid ticket. The organizer emphasized that the number of security forces on Sunday (6 p.m. / ARD, DAZN and in the ntv.de live ticker) “far” exceeded the minimum requirements. It is ensured that every visitor “has a safe and unforgettable experience.”
The fact that the Lionesses were considered title contenders even before the tournament and that top performers such as Beth Mead, Ellen White, Lucy Bronze or Bavaria’s newcomer Georgia Stanway are playing an outstanding European Championship is primarily thanks to Wiegman, who took over as coach in September 2021 from the somewhat unfortunate Phil Neville has taken over. “It clicked from the start,” said the Dutchwoman, who won the European Championship with her home country in 2017, in a BBC interview. “You feel an energy – and that people have confidence in how we want to work and play. I don’t take that for granted but you have to believe in what you’re doing.” Not only Wiegman and her players have the faith, but the whole nation.
The 52-year-old Dutchwoman, who has gone into every game of this European Championship with the same line-up, has improved the team everywhere. The offensive is more creative, faster and more efficient, the midfield is more stable and aggressive, the defense seems calmer and safer. Wiegman regularly emphasizes that her team is prepared for all scenarios. You saw that against Sweden. The English team struggled at first, but then found their way into the game and ended up dominating their opponents.
A triumph from an English point of view would be unforgettable anyway, the whole nation is longing for the first trophy since the men’s World Cup coup at home in 1966. The women are still waiting for their first title ever. And to do that, it’s important to avoid another déjà vu. The last European Championship final in 2009 ended in a debacle – 2:6 against record champion Germany. The last duel between the two teams in Wembley also ended bitterly for the Lionesses, a goal by Klara Bühl in the 90th minute sealed the 2-1 defeat on November 9, 2019. And despite these negative experiences, they are going lighter after their sometimes furious performances Favorite in the final.
And for the final, the English footballers have their new lucky charm with them. Eight-year-old Tess shot to fame overnight in England when she was seen on television dancing merrily in the stands to Neil Diamond’s hit song “Sweet Caroline” after the Lionesses won the semifinals 4-0. A short clip of it went viral. The BBC then invited the enthusiastic young footballer to Wembley Stadium. Will little Tess see the Lionesses’ first big success there on Sunday?
