“French women do not pass the German crash test. Popp was their tormentor”
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The DFB women have fulfilled their dream at Wembley and can become European champions for the ninth time on Sunday. Woman of the evening in the semi-final victory against France is Alexandra Popp, who is enthusiastically celebrated. The international commentators also pay homage to her.
Nfter the rousing entry of captain Alexandra Popp and her team into the European Championship final, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) now also wants to see and cheer on the German soccer players live in the stadium. “That was a great performance,” Scholz wrote on Twitter after the DFB women’s 2-1 (1-1) win over France in Milton Keynes. “I’m looking forward to going to London and supporting the German team in their dream final against the hosts England at Wembley Stadium.”
When match winner Popp was awarded a small blue trophy as the best player of the game after the final whistle and many cheering scenes on the sidelines, her team-mates stormed hooting at the 31-year-old from Wolfsburg – just like before with her two massive and so important goals .
In the end, Popp was only “incredibly happy” and “incredibly proud”. With her fifth and sixth tournament goal, she drew level with England’s Beth Mead. In London’s legendary stadium, which has long been sold out with around 90,000 spectators, on Sunday (6 p.m., in the WELT sports ticker) it’s also about the top scorer.
“To be honest, I can’t even put it into words. We played an amazing game again,” said Popp after a passionate semi-final against the French, who are now untitled. The record European champions from Germany, on the other hand, can hope for their ninth triumph. With such “anticipation, such a desire for a final – there is nothing better,” said Popp, who only made her comeback in the Bundesliga at the beginning of the year after a cartilage injury in her knee and played for the German selection again for the first time in April – and is seen by the international press as one of the major pillars of Germany’s road to success. WELT documents the comments.
France
„The Team“: “Popp top, Périsset absent (France’s counterpart to Popp im Sturm, the editors). The German captain was eagerly awaited and did not disappoint. With a brace, her fifth and sixth goal of the tournament, Popp confirmed the breadth of her immense talent. She was perfectly accompanied by Huth, who was the key passer in both German goals.”
“Release”: “The French do not pass the German crash test in the semifinals. With her brace, the German striker Alexandra Popp was their tormentor.”
“The world”: “Germany ended France’s dream of a final. (…) The summer dream of the first international title in their history was extinguished by Germany in the semifinals of the European Championship. (…) The French women will remember the name of Alexandra Popp from this tournament for a long time.”
“Le Figaro”: “The blue dream of the first final is over. (…) As at the 2011 World Cup or the 2012 Olympic Games, the French stumbled just one step away from a major international final. In a game that paradoxically eluded them just when Germany seemed to be in the most trouble. A cruel scenario.”
„The Latest News from Alsace“: “And in the end Germany wins. While men have managed to put an end to this old adage for a number of years, French women footballers will have to be patient.”
Sweden
“Aftonbladet”: “Alexandra Popp is on the way to becoming the great queen of the European Championship.”
“The Express”: “Not even an own goal by the goalkeeper could stop Germany. Alexandra Popp became the big heroine of the game when France were defeated 2-1. Now a classic awaits against England in the final.”
„SVT“: “Germany is ready for the European Championship final in Wembley. This is thanks to Alexandra Popp, who has now entered the history books.”
Denmark
„DR“: “Finals call for great players and great nations. It will be best against best when England and Germany meet at Wembley.”