England vs Germany
A national team from England winning a major tournament? It has happened already this year, and it is on the verge of being repeated! Standing in the way? An old rival.
The Lionesses have been on an absolute tear in the Women’s Euros 2022. They demolished Sweden 4-0 in the semis to march into the showpiece event on home soil.
England have been the dominant side in the tournament, with all of their players playing superbly. Beth Mead, Leah Williamson, Ellen White, Lucy Bronze, and many more make up the mixed nature of the squad.
Manager Sarina Weigman is a veteran of the game whose leadership skills has been vital to the team. England were semi-finalists in 2017, and the have the best chance to break the duck by winning their first-ever major piece of silverware. Moreover, maybe they can show the men’s team how it’s done.
Germany are two-time winners of the World Cup and have been champions in the Euros eight times. Therefore, it is no surprise that they start as heavy favourites, despite being on hostile territory. Moreover, Die Nationalelf are led by Alexandra Popp who has netted in five consecutive games which is a competition record.
Alexandra Popp has scored in 5 straight games in the #WEURO2022, tying Michel Platini's record which was set way back in 1984's edition.
Wow! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/VSevidyoIJ
— FootTheBall FC (@FootTheBallFC) July 27, 2022
Additionally, Popp is ably supported by Kiara Buhl, Lina Magull, and Sara Dabritz, among others. Manager Martina Voss-Tecklenburg had made over 100 appearances for the national team, winning four Euros.
Furthermore, she has also won silverware at club level. Therefore, her troops will be fired up to keep the glory days going.
Team news
England are unlikely to change a winning combination from the match against Sweden. However, Alessia Russo can get the nod over White in attack after her spectacular back-heel goal.
PROBABLE LINE-UP: Earps; Bronze, Williamson, Bright, Daly; Stanway, Walsh; Mead, Kirby, Hemp; Russo
Like their opponents, Germany will stick with the same formation that helped them pip France in the semis.
PROBABLE LINE-UP: Frohms; Gwinn, Hendrich, Hegering, Rauch; Magull, Oberdorf, Dabritz; Huth, Popp, Brand
Gamechangers
For England, there are a number of options to choose from. However, Mead has been performing at a superb level after shining with Arsenal.
11 goals and eight assists for the Gunners has been followed by six goals and four assists at the Euros. Playing down the right flank, Mead has supreme technical ability which is combined with excellent finishing.
Level for the most goals in Euros history.
That’s Beth Mead. pic.twitter.com/9WGPtRGba7
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) July 26, 2022
Moreover, her versatility allows him to move across the front line as well. Therefore, England have a superb facilitator of the ball who can finish impressively. Mead will be a problem for the three-women midfield of Germany, as once they are duped, it is open road.
Moreover, France did have a solid time in attacking the Germans, so that has to be taken care of also in the final.
The German captain is their saviour in the Euros. Popp has been the shining light for Germany with her strong showings. Therefore, it is no surprise that she represents the biggest obstacle between England and the trophy.
Popp is an action-packed, all-round forward who can score from a variety of positions. Moreover, the attacking trio can all interchange amongst them, meaning Popp can draw markers out.
Germany know they cannot let England get on the front foot as it will be very dangerous. Therefore, getting the ball to Popp as much as possible will be the key.
If she can find the spaces in behind and go on her craftiness, it will turn out to be a long night for the England fans inside the stadium.
Predictions
This really is a David vs Goliath battle. Germany are serial winners of the competition while England are on the cusp of making history. In the tournament alone, it has been the Lionesses who have looked like a more complete side.
However, finals are rarely decided on previous forms. It will all be up to who seizes the moments when they arrive. FootTheBall predicts a 1-0 win for Germany to make it nine triumphs.