Women’s Euro 2022: Is Football Finally Coming Home to England?

England vs Germany

The Lionesses have the opportunity to do something that their male counterparts couldn’t do, which is to bring home a major trophy back to England for the first time since 1966.

The Three Lions were in this exact situation last year in Euro 2020, but they ultimately came up short as the Azzurri beat them via the penalty shootout.

Here in Women’s Euro 2022, England have been arguably the most dominant side. However, all their efforts will go down the drain if they don’t win in the final on Sunday at the Wembley Stadium.

England’s final opponents are Germany, who have been close to perfect like them thus far as they also stormed through the group stage all the way here in the final.

The pre-match SBOTOP betting odds anticipate a tight encounter between these two juggernauts and we’re going to be treated to another cracker of a match.

Talking Points

Strength in numbers for England

Since her appointment last September, Sarina Wiegman has turned England into world-beaters, steering them to an unbeaten run of 19 games with 17 wins and two draws – including five straight victories here in Euro 2022.

Moreover, the Lionesses have amassed 20 goals and only conceded once, so they have all the confidence in the world heading into the final.

There have been many standout performances from the Lionesses at these Euros as everyone has contributed in their own way – from Alessia Russo being a super sub, Mary Earps’ timely saves, captain Leah Williamson’s excellent defencive displays, and Laura Hemp slowly realising her full potential.

But the one that stood out the most is Beth Mead, who’s in scintillating form inside the penalty area. The Arsenal forward has found the back of the net six times already in this competition to match the record for most goals in a single Women’s Euros campaign, which was set in 2009 by former Germany striker Inka Grings.

Her sixth goal in this campaign also meant that she’s England’s record goalscorer in the Women’s Euros, surpassing Jodie Taylor.

Mead is hopeful that she can provide more goals for England on Sunday and get closer to Inka Grings and Birgit Prinz’s record of 10 goals total in this tournament en route to the win.

Alexandra Popp still popping for Germany

Alexandra Popp has been one of the feel-good stories in this tournament after being sidelined for 10 months due to a serious knee injury. She began this tournament as a sub, but it didn’t take too long for her to return in the starting XI as Lea Schuller was ruled out against Spain and Finland due to COVID-19.

The VfL Wolfsburg striker is making up for lost time in a big way by becoming the first player in Women’s Euros to score in five consecutive games after notching a brace in their 2-1 semi-finals victory over France. She also joined Beth Mead atop of the scoring list in this year’s tournament.

Like Mead, Popp can hit two birds in one stone if she scores a couple more goals on Sunday by becoming the Golden Boot winner as well as leading Germany to their ninth Women’s Euros triumph.

History

England and Germany have met at this exact stage in 2009 before 15,000 fans, where Die Nationalelf came away with a 6-2 victory for their eighth trophy – the most in the competition’s history.

Prior to 2009, the Lionesses have also made it to the final during the competition’s inaugural year in 1984 but also fell at the final hurdle against Sweden via penalties. Die Nationalelf, on the other hand, have almost always made it to the final and won except in years 1993 and 2017.

These two nations last met in February at the inaugural Arnold Clark Cup. England beat Germany on home soil for the first time with a score of 3-1 to claim the trophy thanks to two late goals from Fran Kirby and Millie Bright. 

Betting Tip

The Women’s Euro 2022 odds are slightly favouring England to win the final, but their advantage is not clear-cut. They are installed at 2.29, while Germany aren’t far behind at 2.77 and a draw after 90 minutes is at 3.10 in the 1X2 market.

While this match could go either way, we predict that the Lionesses will win, but Die Nationalelf will make them earn it the hard way. Nevertheless, we expect a healthy amount of goals and Women’s Euro 2022 highlights, so you won’t go wrong going for Over 2.25 @ 1.87.

 

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