London — Sarina Wiegman and her players are deeply aware that the most important wins have already been won. The bounty comes from England’s record number of attendees and spectators in Euro 2022, as well as exciting pubs and jerseys everywhere, and a crowded train to Wembley Stadium for the finals on Sunday. Can also be measured. Against Germany.
It would certainly be years, and perhaps Europe as a whole, before the tournament would come to be seen as a ‘game-changer’ for women’s football in England, as England captain Leah Williamson put it. .
But the problem with elite sports is that it’s not that simple. Of course, whether England can take the last step on Sunday and become the European champion for the first time, the impact of the Euro 2022 on the general public remains the same, but there is no doubt how players will remember it. It changes. Bringing glory to the nation is one thing. It’s different from regretting. An important victory for England is conceptual, not philosophical. It takes 90 minutes in the field.
It is also achievable. England swept the tournament with such poise and grandeur that even Wiegman admitted the group phase was “relatively easy”. Her side has only struggled once in the quarter-final against struggling Spain. That game resulted in the only goal also conceded by Mary Arps. The host must be a favorite.
The only caveat is that Germany doesn’t make convincing underdogs. Martina Voss Tecklenburg’s team has the air of a team on the brink of transition. Led by the indomitable Lena Oberdorf, the older generation is slowly replacing the younger generation, but Germany’s pedigree in this tournament is impeccable. After all, Europe has never lost eight times, and the final it has reached. This iteration is steadily and enthusiastically gaining momentum during the tournament. It also knows that this is an important victory, a victory that all depends.
