In Trafalgar Square, English fans celebrate the victory of the women at the Euro


Roars of pleasure and even a little swim in the fountains for some: in Trafalgar square, thousands of supporters let their joy explode after the victory of the Lionesses against Germany in the final of the Women’s Football Euro. While the more than 87,000 seats at Wembley Stadium were filled, some 7,000 fans gathered in a “fan zone” of this place located in the heart of the capital to attend this historic meeting. Two giant screens had been installed under the gaze of other felines: the four imposing statues of bronze lions surrounding Nelson’s Column. After biting their nails over this particularly tense final, the fans screamed with joy at the announcement of the Lionesses’ victory after extra time (2-1). “They were much better than the men could have been”! exclaims Kirsty Carey, 33. “It’s going to be a hugely decisive step for English football, women’s football, which is going to be taken more seriously,” she said. “It’s a fantastic example for my two daughters,” rejoices Luc Edeson, 38, who came with his family from Yorkshire (northern England) with his 2 and 6-year-old children.

Record figures

The competition has aroused strong popular enthusiasm: according to UEFA, nearly 490,000 spectators attended the thirty matches played before the final, to which are added the 87,192 spectators present at Wembley on Sunday, a record for a women’s and men’s Euro. “I’ve always kept an eye on the players but I’ve never been so excited,” said one of those recent aficionados, Jack Vaughn, 47. He explains it by “the media coverage, much better this year”.

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In the fan zone was a very diverse audience, men and women, young and old, with many children. “It’s much nicer for families than men’s football,” said Scott Sharpe, 35, who came from Leeds (northern England) with his children Olivia, 9, and Lukas, 5. Not having managed to get tickets for Wembley, he fell back on the fan zone and appreciates the relaxed atmosphere. If it was a men’s game, there would be “more trouble”, he believes.

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Future emulators

More than a year ago, violent incidents seriously marred the pre-match, when England faced Italy in the final of the men’s edition. On Sunday, the authorities had imposed a strict ban on the sale or consumption of alcohol around the stadium, under penalty of heavy fines, contributing to the very different atmosphere. With the historic victory of the Lionesses, many predict that the enthusiasm for women’s football is not about to die down. “They’re going to get more and more popular,” prognosticates Maggie Maybury, “Everyone’s going to love them. They’ll just be the darlings.” This 67-year-old Londoner, who as a child did not play football at school, is delighted that things are changing: “Now girls can play all sports: cricket, football… we are on an equal footing”.

“Football pitches across the country are going to be filled like never before with girls and women inspired by your triumph,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson predicted on Twitter, paying tribute to the players. Even Queen Elizabeth II was quick to congratulate the Lionesses on their ‘much-deserved’ success “You have all set an example that will inspire girls and women today and generations to come” , said in a press release the queen, whose grandson, prince William, attended the meeting at Wembley. “I hope you will be as proud of the impact you have had on your sport as you are of today’s result.”



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