AWhen it was done and the football game ended with the result they had dreamed of, some of these players, who worked so hard to achieve success, finally felt weak at the knees. The English women fell to the ground, seized by the moment and overwhelmed by the emotions: European champions 2022! That title, won by beating Germany 2-1 after extra time in the final, will forever be associated with the name of a team that mastered the final task of the tournament with flying colours.
The losers in the green jerseys of the selection of the German Football Association (DFB) stood next to them, stunned and disappointed, later hugged the new champions, while the British audience audibly emphasized the fair play idea and everyone involved for the finale presented with loud applause. This European Championship had class and style right up to the ceremonial conclusion at Wembley. “We are glad that we were able to inspire so many people,” said national player Svenja Huth, “but at the moment it hurts like a bastard.”
Misunderstanding after handball scene
The level of anticipation for the performance of the Lionesses across the country became clear before kick-off: Thousands populated the streets and squares around the imposing arena, which many fans glorify as the cathedral of football. Their 87,192 seats were sold out in advance within hours, which set a record attendance that also topped all previous EM records for men.
The devotees chanted, loudly drowning out the ringing of the bells in the adjacent St. Joseph’s Church. The English team’s arrival was broadcast live on television; a helicopter filmed the bus that took trainer Sarina Wiegman and her entourage, accompanied by a police escort, from their country quarters to the city center.
In view of the crowds that were on the access roads, they were stuck in traffic for a long time, while the better planning Germans had arrived earlier and were able to familiarize themselves with the conditions during the inspection of the square. Expectations of the English women to win their first international title had increased steadily in recent weeks. So many curious people flocked to Wembley even without a ticket.
Born in the Netherlands, Wiegman, who outdid all the competition with the home team at the Euro in Holland in 2017, pointed out in the general high spirits from experience that with the DFB ensemble they would meet a rival who was in no way inferior to them would. The fact that the Germans, who had also stormed through the tournament without defeat, would appear with self-confidence here and now, despite the crowd that took a stand against them for a long time, was quickly made clear by consistent duels.
One who would have liked to have helped them to master the task had to sit in the stands near Prince William: Klara Bühl was able to return to the circle of her teammates in the morning – after six days of isolation – which she had been doing since a corona virus became known -Had to avoid infection. The 21-year-old travels back to Frankfurt with the rest of the group this Monday, where they are expected as almost heroines on the town hall balcony at the Römer in Frankfurt for the welcome party in the afternoon.
