LONDON — England beat Germany 2-1 after extra-time in the Euro 2022 final here on Sunday before a Euro record crowd of 87,192 at Wembley Stadium. Here are my three thoughts on the game: GrantWahl.com is a reader-supported soccer newsletter. Quality journalism requires resources. The best way to support me and my work is by taking out a paid subscription now. Free 7-day trials are available.
People are so short sighted. England did well AND they also had perhaps the luckiest single tournament run ever. home tournament where the visiting nations have to travel to your country with COVID rampant there right now and live within those conditions and whats happened? Klara Bühl's name not even uttered here but she was lost in this match due to positive Covid and would have starred for them on that forward line *and then* during warmups, Popp goes down minutes before the final. it would have been nice to see them play a full strength Germany. and you can do that all the way through the KO rounds. this England midfield *still* does not match up well to the US midfield and who replaces an aging Bronze on the wings for the England is a big question ahead of next years WC. The only obvious position of concern for the US would be our outside backs containing Hemp / Kelly next year, otherwise the advantage is still there for the US head-to-head across the lines. O'hara cannot start against a Hemp or Kelly, for instance, without getting utterly destroyed for pace. but with Fox/Dunn projected to be there, I am hoping that KOH isn't even a consideration. can't wait to see it, whenever it happens anyway. Now that European countries are pretty much back to acting like covid is done, we should see some high level friendlies scheduled for the US after two years of scheduling what they could with countries outside of Europe.
I hope this gives a boost to the women's game in North America as well. IMO this tournament saw Europe catch up to US and Canada in support for the women's national teams. Seems to me that we need to catch up to their support for women's club teams. Interesting that the established men's teams appear to be investors in the women's game in Europe while in the US the teams typically have independent ownership. Ironically, OL Reign is owned by the club in Lyon France. Curious how the respective games will develop....
The USWNT has its own issues with imagination and improving play on the field. However, what i really didn't see from either of the teams today was player skilled and calm on the ball. A play maker. I'm comforted by the hope that some of our young, skilled players will improve our on-field play instead of just running a lot. Sanchez, Lavelle, Marcario.....
I thought i was going to see more speed from the England subs. Also, England's defense looked terribly slow at times. Still, i thought the England was the better team on the day. Deeper. Super excited for the women's game in England. It was amazing to see the country get behind the ladies.
And yes, the match did remind me of the USwnt win over China. The feeling. The movement of the game.
Is there anyone else laughing that fans of the EMNT now have an idea how fans of the USMNT feel? Seeing their women get it done when their men couldn’t? (1966 is too long ago to count.)
Yes, I know comparing Men’s and Women’s national teams is apples and oranges, but I still find it funny.
I think England was pleased to have Germany’s star come up lame, but it is also true that champions want to take on the best in a tournament final. I think the ref selection had a lot to do with the war situation. I also don’t see the US womens team yet having the depth of talent or the grit to beat either of these teams. Who is our enforcer? And do we have a single goal tender of the quality of Germany or England?
The excessive fouling, mostly by Germany, and the ref not being aggressive enough made for snooze-fest of a first half. No flow whatsoever. But the better team prevailed in the end. England has to be the favorite for the World Cup.
Popp might’ve made a difference. She was ruthless the whole tournament.
Chloe Kelly will never have to buy either a drink or a meal in England until the day she dies.
People are so short sighted. England did well AND they also had perhaps the luckiest single tournament run ever. home tournament where the visiting nations have to travel to your country with COVID rampant there right now and live within those conditions and whats happened? Klara Bühl's name not even uttered here but she was lost in this match due to positive Covid and would have starred for them on that forward line *and then* during warmups, Popp goes down minutes before the final. it would have been nice to see them play a full strength Germany. and you can do that all the way through the KO rounds. this England midfield *still* does not match up well to the US midfield and who replaces an aging Bronze on the wings for the England is a big question ahead of next years WC. The only obvious position of concern for the US would be our outside backs containing Hemp / Kelly next year, otherwise the advantage is still there for the US head-to-head across the lines. O'hara cannot start against a Hemp or Kelly, for instance, without getting utterly destroyed for pace. but with Fox/Dunn projected to be there, I am hoping that KOH isn't even a consideration. can't wait to see it, whenever it happens anyway. Now that European countries are pretty much back to acting like covid is done, we should see some high level friendlies scheduled for the US after two years of scheduling what they could with countries outside of Europe.
I hope this gives a boost to the women's game in North America as well. IMO this tournament saw Europe catch up to US and Canada in support for the women's national teams. Seems to me that we need to catch up to their support for women's club teams. Interesting that the established men's teams appear to be investors in the women's game in Europe while in the US the teams typically have independent ownership. Ironically, OL Reign is owned by the club in Lyon France. Curious how the respective games will develop....
Did you get to rub shoulders with Prince William, Grant?!
The USWNT has its own issues with imagination and improving play on the field. However, what i really didn't see from either of the teams today was player skilled and calm on the ball. A play maker. I'm comforted by the hope that some of our young, skilled players will improve our on-field play instead of just running a lot. Sanchez, Lavelle, Marcario.....
I thought i was going to see more speed from the England subs. Also, England's defense looked terribly slow at times. Still, i thought the England was the better team on the day. Deeper. Super excited for the women's game in England. It was amazing to see the country get behind the ladies.
And yes, the match did remind me of the USwnt win over China. The feeling. The movement of the game.
Well done England.
Is there anyone else laughing that fans of the EMNT now have an idea how fans of the USMNT feel? Seeing their women get it done when their men couldn’t? (1966 is too long ago to count.)
Yes, I know comparing Men’s and Women’s national teams is apples and oranges, but I still find it funny.
I think England was pleased to have Germany’s star come up lame, but it is also true that champions want to take on the best in a tournament final. I think the ref selection had a lot to do with the war situation. I also don’t see the US womens team yet having the depth of talent or the grit to beat either of these teams. Who is our enforcer? And do we have a single goal tender of the quality of Germany or England?
The excessive fouling, mostly by Germany, and the ref not being aggressive enough made for snooze-fest of a first half. No flow whatsoever. But the better team prevailed in the end. England has to be the favorite for the World Cup.
Game in the long run wasn’t about the ref, but I agree. Was sad to have any flow wrecked by the failure to stop the rough play esp by Germany.