Third time lucky is the hope for Britain as Wembley hosts a decisive final
The host nation arrives aiming to clinch its first European Championship title after previous near-misses in 1984 and 2009. Wembley Stadium sets the stage for a showdown against Germany, the continent’s most successful team, in a finale that many expect to define a new era for women’s football.
England and Germany stand on the cusp of history, each seeking to crown a memorable European Championship chapter. This edition has been a landmark for the women’s game, with record crowd figures and a celebratory mood permeating venues across the country. Wembley is poised to break attendance records, following a turnout of nearly 488,000 spectators across the tournament so far and a peak crowd of 68,871 at Old Trafford. The competition has drawn soaring numbers, with a capacity of 87,000 at Wembley and tickets sold out across the board. Historic benchmarks are in sight, including references to the largest European final crowd previously recorded at a major venue. A prominent musical act will perform at the final, underscoring the event’s cultural reach beyond football. UEFA highlighted that this marks the first time a musical performance of such magnitude will accompany the European Women’s Championship final.
Under coach Sarina Wiegman, England entered the tournament as favorites thanks to their recent form and the momentum built since the Netherlands handed them the reins. The team has produced a string of impressive results, including an unbeaten run of 19 matches and 20 goals across five Euro games. If the squad replicates its best version at Wembley, it could become the highest-scoring national side in Euro history, a distinction currently held by Germany after their 21-goal haul in Euro 2009 and a 6-2 final victory over England in that year’s final.
The English side aims to inaugurate a fresh era for women’s football and finally close an open wound that has lingered for years. The country has long seen itself as a developing force in Continental football, a perception reinforced by previous heartbreaks in major finals. Wembley represents a renewed opportunity to lead European football forward.
WEMBLEY IS WAITING
WE ARE SEEING SUNDAY #WEURO2022 END! pic.twitter.com/InKRZKBABt
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) 26 July 2022
Germany, historically the strongest challenger, has never lost a European final. They held the European throne for 22 years between March 1995 and July 2017, when a defeat to Denmark in the quarterfinals ended their long run. To date, they have fallen short only twice in the ten competitions they entered, a testament to their consistent presence at the top. After the most recent European Championship, the favorites image briefly shifted, but the team remains a formidable force on a global stage.
“No one expected us to come this far. We’re in the Wembley final against England,” a German star remarked. The arrival of coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg in 2019 sparked a regeneration, restoring the team’s confidence and identity. The squad has become solid defensively and potent in attack, already disrupting Spain, Austria, and France on the road to Wembley. A triumph over England would secure their ninth European title.
For Germany, the match carries more than a title challenge; it is a chance to avenge past heartbreak and to honor a long, storied competitive history. The date also carries symbolic resonance, as Germany reflects on past finals staged in Britain and the enduring ambitions that football inspires. A veteran observer noted that the country could settle scores dating back to earlier decades, offering a strong narrative for a high-stakes finale.
A coach will seal European glory for a seventh time in a row, with only a subset of the sixteen entrants led by women. Voss-Tecklenburg acknowledged the pressure facing England the following day, while England’s Wiegman remained confident in her squad, signaling no fear of opponents ahead. The air at Wembley is charged with anticipation as the national anthems echo, and the iconic competition narrative continues to unfold. The event embodies a rare blend of sport, culture, and national pride, fueling belief that this can be a defining moment for English football.
Third time lucky. Or at least that’s Britain’s hope as the host nation prepares for a final featuring England and Germany, two storied programs with everything to gain. The match promises drama, history, and a milestone for the women’s game, as Wembley becomes the epicenter of a sport finally breaking into the mainstream in both the United Kingdom and beyond.