“I think people forgot about us”

No nation has been more successful in the women’s football European Championship than Germany and with eight golds they have a superior championship record.

But before this summer’s EC, there was not too much talk about the team.

France, England and Sweden are some teams that were painted as gold favorites, while Germany had to sail a little under the radar.

But five EC matches later, it is precisely Germany who are in the EC final against England.

— I think people forgot about us. It’s been a bit up and down for us, we lost against Serbia (2-3, World Cup qualifier in April) but then we won against Switzerland 7-0, says Lena Oberdorf.

“Found Each Other”

The 20-year-old believes that the team has really found the right way during the upload to the championship and it has borne fruit.

— I’m glad we found each other during the pre-camp. Now we have shown what qualities we have and we get them out on the field, and that is what we want to do in the final, she says.

Svenja Huth, who scored two assists in the 2-1 win against France in the semi-final, believes the players came together as a group during the months when the team didn’t have the results with them. Among other things, the Germans lost to both Canada and England in the Arnold Clark Cup in February.

— There have obviously been setbacks. But we have built a team, a unit. I am very proud of our team and to be here. We have a very good feeling in the group, says Huth.

So the host nation England awaits at Wembley in London. The football rivalry between Germany and England goes back a long way. Among other things, the countries met in the European Championship final in 2009, then with Germany as the victor, 6–2.

— It electrifies the atmosphere for the supporters. There is history and both teams deserve to be here and everyone is looking forward to it. Millions will watch the match, and if we had been allowed to dream before the European Championship, we would have chosen a final against England, says national team captain Martina Voss-Tecklenburg.

— We have dreamed of this. Playing a final against England here at Wembley, I don’t know if it’s a bigger moment for our players. It’s definitely one of the biggest moments. We really want to be in the moment and enjoy everything, says Voss-Tecklenburg.

Want to win for the star

Svenja Huth believes that the rivalry is not something the players think about very much, at least here and now.

— In the media, it’s clear that there is a bit of talk and it “pushes” everyone a bit. It is a classic match, but for us the focus is not on the past or the future. It’s only about tomorrow (Sunday). We want to give everything and win the EC, she says.

However, Svenja Huth and her teammates will have to chase the EC gold without the offensive key player Klara Bühl. Bühl tested positive for covid-19 ahead of the semi-final and has not yet returned a negative test result.

— It is very emotional. Hopefully we can win for Klara, says Voss-Tecklenburg.