Alexandra Popp was Germany’s hero when Germany beat France 2–1 in the European Championship semi-finals. If the European Championships had been played a year ago, Poppi would not have been seen on the field. Now he has already scored six goals in the games. The winning goal in the semi-final was an example of great willpower.
Roope Visuri,
Hinn Hirvonen
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Alexandra Popp 2 – France 1.
There is no disputing the hero of Wednesday’s EC semi-final. It was a night that ended with a 2–1 victory for Germany Alexandra Poppin – The German captain, who continued his goal-scoring record in the fifth EC match in a row. This time the net swung twice during the evening.
For Pop, if anyone is blessed with success. Misfortune has been more than enough for one player. However, England’s EC tournament ended nine years of bad luck and in what style.
The German captain has suffered from injuries during previous EC tournaments and had to watch his team’s performances from the stands. It was close that England’s EC tournament would also have been lost to the German striker. He injured his knee in the spring of 2021, and the rehabilitation did not go as hoped. The injury eventually required another operation, and Popp was already about to give up.
However, he decided to fight to get fit, for the sake of the EC dream.
During the tournament, there was a discussion about whether Poppis is still the leader of the team.
The EC tournament has shown that it is.
– When Popp scored the first goal against Denmark, both Popp and the head coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg as well were both very moved. It felt like all the pain that Poppi has had in the last few years got out, Urheilu’s expert Marianne Miettinen opened.
However, Popp was not Germany’s first choice as a striker. He came in the European Championship opener played against Denmark by Lea Schüller replaced for the last half hour and was responsible for Germany’s fourth strike.
However, a place in the opener opened up in the next match, when Schüller had to stay on the sidelines due to corona infection.
There has been no reason for the German captain to be removed from the starting line-up, even though Schüller, who won the Bundesliga goal exchange with 16 goals, improved.
Poppi is fresh in EC football
Even before his opening goal of the France game, Popp had put Germany in the lead in the 22nd minute. French guard Pauline Peyraud-Magnin however, missed the key.
The lead hit came in the 40th minute of the match and scored his fifth goal of the Games in the fifth match.
Germany did not have time to enjoy the lead for a long time, when Kadidiatou Diani shot with some luck to the level of France. Dian’s handsome shot hit the post, from where it bounced off after a wonderful save in the EC tournament by Merle Frohms to the back – and from there to the finish line. Frohms kept a clean sheet in four previous EC matches, but the first goal scored in Germany’s net of the tournament was eventually marked as Frohms’ own goal.
In the second period, France also had their place, but did not manage to score.
Alexandra Popp settled the match with her second goal in the 70th minute. For Germany, the situation seemed already lost. Popp already had time to spread his hands, but the ball bounced to the right side of the field. The focus found Poppi’s head, which had reached the highest.
– He went to the dark side and came to the situation with great force. As a good attacker, he managed to find the trajectory of the ball. This was a real goal of will, Honkavaara beamed.
– These are the small details. In that situation, many players thought the situation was over. It’s a matter of seconds when you lose eye contact with your opponent. Popp will use that kind of space when it’s given, Maija Saari nodded.
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The German team gathered around their hero right after the final whistle. Alexandra Popp was naturally in an emotional state in the interviews after the match.
– I can not find the words. We played an incredible match. We gave it our all. We are incredibly happy. Nobody expected this from us. We are in the final against England. This will not get better, Popp described according to the European football association UEFA.
– The team is great. They have my support. They are happy for me because of my whole suffering story. Now it’s time to reload.
Popp has scored six times in the tournament and leads the tournament’s goal exchange together with England by Beth Mead with. Six goals in one EC tournament is also a record shared by Popp and Mead Inka Gringsin with.
The winner of the tournament goal statistics can be decided on Sunday, when the teams meet in the final. For pop, 31, EC gold would be the crowning glory of a great career.
– Winning the goal statistics is not my priority. I have the number one priority to win the European Championships. Of course, the goal statistics victory would crown the championship. It would be nice, but if I don’t win the goal statistics, I’ll still be happy, Popp decided.
Germany will meet England in the final of the European Championships on Sunday from 19:00. The live broadcast of the match starts at 18:00 on TV2, Areena and the app. Bet on the opening goal scorer of the match in Futistietäjä and win a technical ball!