It should be a big party night for Germany. But it all got so bitter! The German footballers lost the EM final dramatically against England and pushed mega frustration. BILD draws the log of a sad night.
8:32 p.m
Final whistle at Wembley. Germany lost 2-1 to England after extra time. The DFB players go down. Lena Oberdorf immediately starts crying hard and is comforted by English players. Goalkeeper Merle Frohms lies on her back and looks blankly at the sky. National coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg rushes to her and pulls her back on her feet. consolation!
Hansi Flick (left), responsible for the DFB men, stands next to national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg. Behind her husband Hermann Tecklenburg
8:37 p.m
While the English celebrate to the cult song “Sweet Caroline”, the German team forms a circle with all the players, the coaching team and all the supervisors on the pitch. Voss-Tecklenburg gives an emotional speech, of which her players only hear fragments because of the unbelievable volume at Wembley. MVT told her girls that they will get through the difficult moment together as a group.
8:43 p.m
Lena Oberdorf is named the best young player at the European Championships, accepts the trophy in tears, the players hug her in a big bunch.
Former national coach Silvia Neid and national team players Leonie Meier and Dzsenifer Marozsan (from left)
8:51 p.m
England’s award ceremony: the DFB girls watch sadly from the sidelines. None walk away, all applaud fairly. Unlike many men’s teams, the women leave their silver medals around their necks. A great gesture that you can be proud of being second.
Vice captain Svenja Huth (left) with DFB director Oliver Bierhoff
8:54 p.m
England’s women slide across the confetti lawn yards from our girls. They still seem apathetic, can’t believe it. Tears flow. Now it breaks out of the injured Alexandra Popp and keeper Frohms.
8:56 p.m
National coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg throws her jacket into the audience, then goalkeeper Almuth Schult and Popp distribute gifts such as their gloves and jerseys to the fans.
9:02 p.m
The German players gather in the dressing room and say to themselves: We can be sad now, but we must also be very proud of this European Championship.
9:16 p.m
While England’s players stormed coach Sarina Wiegman’s press conference and roared the song “Football’s Coming Home”, the German players and officials had to be right next to them giving interviews and staying strong. They endure it bravely.
9:29 p.m
Chancellor Olaf Scholz goes into the German booth and gives a short speech. Tenor: The whole of Germany is proud of you and I am now committed to the further professionalization of women’s football. Also present: Bundestag President Bärbel Bas and Interior Minister Nancy Faeser. She wears a Merle Frohms jersey because she is a fan of the goalkeeper. Faeser got the jersey from Frohm’s substitute Almuth Schult of all people.
9:45 p.m
Ironically, the injured Popp is drawn for doping control. The annoying procedure finally ruins the already used day.
10:48 p.m
Popp is the last to leave the dressing room for the team bus, still wearing her silver medal around his neck. Then depart for the team hotel in Watford.
11.30 p.m
The team bus arrives at the hotel. The players sneak up to their rooms, quickly put on their evening wear and go to the ballroom.
11:45 p.m
The players’ relatives are already waiting in the banquet area of the hotel. They greet their loved ones with waving German flags and loud applause.
11:53 p.m
Dzsenifer Marozsan is also present at the reception in Watford. The playmaker injured herself shortly before the European Championship. She hugs her best friend and longtime roommate Svenja Huth.
11:57 p.m
The buffet is set up. There is Welsh Lamb, Fish and Chips and Scottish Salmon among others. Plus beer and champagne. The entire DFB leadership around President Neuendorf and Director Bierhoff are there. National coach Hansi Flick also celebrates.
In addition to Neuendorf and Bundestag President Bärbel Bas, Martina Voss-Tecklenburg also gave a speech. In it, the national coach confidently announced: “We also want to play for the title at the World Cup next year.”
The former internationals Leonie Meier, Lena Goeßling, Annike Krahn and Silke Rottenberg as well as players who were dropped from the squad shortly before the European Championships, such as Chantal Hagel, have also come to London. A total of around 200 guests are on site.
Goalscorer Alexandra Popp
3:21 a.m
The hall empties, but some players still dance away their frustration. Among others, final goal scorer Lina Magull, striker Laura Freigang, goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger. After that, the lights in the hotel slowly go out. The last players like Alexandra Popp or Lena Oberdorf were still sitting outside in front of the bus of ex-national players Josephine Henning and Tabea Kemme.
