"Popp's desperate, empty eyes": The international press is watching the sad supporting actress closely

Created: 08/01/2022 10:39 am

By: Patrick Freiwah

The English women get their first European title at Wembley - in the final against Germany.

© IMAGO/Anna Gowthorpe/Shutterstock

England's women are crowned European champions at Euro 2022.

In the final, the hostesses beat the DFB team in a hard fight.

The press is over the moon.

London – The English women's national team has achieved something similar to that of their compatriots 56 years earlier: in the final of the 2022 Women's European Football Championship at Wembley, the English women managed a hard-fought triumph against the DFB team.

The German women lost to the hosts 2-1 after extra time.

While Germany, coached by Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, missed out on their ninth European title, the English women's team crowned themselves for the first time ever and won their first major international title.

Not surprisingly, the local press poured out superlatives after the memorable triumph.

The victory against arch-rivals from mainland Europe sent the media into raptures - after all, "the deepest pain in the English sporting psyche has been lifted".

A selection of press reviews from Great Britain, Spain and other countries:

Germany will lose the 2022 European Championship final against England: press reviews from the winning country

Daily Mail

: “It wasn't a dream...we DID beat Germany in a final!

For the nation that invented the game, the final of the Women's Championship is the greatest sporting triumph in the lives of most lucky enough to attend.

It was really inspiring - for all ages and both genders.

The Lionesses defeated the titans of women's football.”

The Guardian

: "When England's men last won a major trophy, the 1966 World Cup, women were banned from playing any form of competitive football.

Now, against the same opponent in the same stadium, English football - all, not just half - has risen to the top step of the podium."

The Telegraph

: “The Lionesses seal 56 years of pain with a historic victory.

The deepest pain of the English sports psyche has been removed.

Germany, the eight-time champions, may have looked better for much of the tournament, but the hosts rode their luck.” (on the reactions)

The Sun

: "It's come home!

(He's come home!) England's lionesses roar with pride as they celebrate their historic triumph at Euro 2022.”

EM final England against Germany: That writes the Spanish press

Marca

: “It was their European Championship and they couldn't fail.

England wanted to debut and they did it in a big way, with a packed Wembley and against a Germany that didn't know what it was like to lose a final."

also read

Women's EM: England is European champion - Germany experiences final drama in extra time

After defeat in the final: Olaf Scholz visits DFB women in the dressing room - and leaves an impression

La Vanguardia

: “England achieve their dream goal.

Not even the best screenwriters could have written such a perfect story.”

Sport

: “Wembley again.

Another extension.

The tears were sweet in this case, though.

England win their first European title in a back-and-forth game.

It's true, yes, football "it's coming home".

Women's football championship 2022: France's press on England's triumph

L'Equipe

: "England end their curse by winning the 2022 Women's Championship"

Le Figaro

: "It's not for nothing that Sarina Wiegman was voted the best FIFA coach of the year 2017 and 2020.

Five years after winning the European Championship at the wheel of the Netherlands, the Dutchwoman kept her crown, but this time with England.”

Ouest France

: “And in the end the English win!

After a tactically managed final, the English women won their first football trophy.

And that was the culmination of a spectacular competition that has proven its progress in recent years.”

Liberation

: "The English women rule the Old Continent"

Le Courrier de l'Ouest

: “The final kept all promises.

Rhythm, commitment, tension, tough duels.

After 56 years, an English dream became a reality.

And 87,192 spectators at a European Championship final mean a record for this competition - women and men mixed.

This final lived up to all expectations, even though the goal nets only shook after half-time.”

Final of the EM 2022: Italy's press on the English triumph over the DFB team

Corriere dello Sport

: "Goals and show: Europe bows to Kelly.

The race of the lioness inspires England.

The English and the Germans don't care about anything, they only think about playing football and their match thrills the almost 90,000 spectators.

Wonderful celebration in Trafalgar Square as Germany protest for a penalty kick not awarded.”

Tuttosport

: "Wembley's lionesses give England the crown they missed at the men's European Championship last year.

Germany suffers a lot in the first half.

The coach corrects the formation and in the second half Germany are really dangerous.”

La Repubblica

: “Lionesses on the throne: they bring a trophy to England, hungry for success, that the country has been waiting for for 56 years.

England wins with football, love and imagination, everything real sport means.”

EM final for women: malice in the neighboring country?

Press reviews from Austria and Switzerland

Austria:

Kronen Zeitung

: "European Champion!

England celebrates hot summer fairy tale"

Kurier

: "England fulfills the big EM dream"

Switzerland

:

Blick

: "England are European champions!

Joker Chloe Kelly decides the final spectacle in London's Wembley in front of a record crowd of 87,192 fans in extra time.

Germany feels disadvantaged - like in 1966!"

With his wife, on the beach or on vacation: These are Germany's stars at the 2022 Women's European Championship

View photo gallery

England beats DFB women: press comments on the EM final from northern Europe

Denmark

:

Politiken

: "It finally worked: football is coming home.

A rousing and dramatic final in front of the largest crowd at a European Championship game ever ended in victory for the home team.

An international football classic marked the effective end of the women's European Championship - and for once Germany didn't win in the end."

Norway

:

Verden's Walk

: 'Wembley was full of English victory tears but it was Alexandra Popp's desperate, blank eyes that made the strongest impression.

This was her EM, after all.

She was on her way to becoming the championship queen when the greatest day of football of her life was over before it had really begun.

Instead it became England's EM.

Football has come home.”

Sweden

:

Aftonbladet

: “Football is a simple sport.

22 players try to get the most balls into the respective goal in 90 or 120 minutes.

In the end, the team with the fewest problems, the best players on the bench and the best coach on the sidelines wins.

After a lot of ifs and buts, this is England.”

So sad history was repeated at Wembley Stadium from the point of view of the DFB selection.

Germany loses the final of the women's European Championship against England, which, like the 1966 World Cup, is overshadowed by a scandal.