It should not be. Despite a good performance, the DFB women lost the European Championship final. And have to cope with a bitter defeat at Wembley.
The disappointment was written all over the faces of the DFB players. Against a strong English national team, the German women lost the European Championship final in extra time (1:2). The bitter thing about it: Germany is familiar with final defeats at Wembley Stadium.
In 1966, the German men lost 4-2 in extra time to England in the final of the World Cup. And there is another parallel between the Women’s European Championship final and the game 56 years ago. At that time, the Englishman Geoff Hurst scored a goal that is still highly controversial today: the legendary Wembley goal. The ball bounced to the bottom of the crossbar, but from there it was well in front of the line. The goal to make it 3-2 for England shouldn’t have counted.
Excitement in the women’s final
A similar scene worthy of discussion occurred on Sunday evening. In the first half, DFB player Marina Hegering got the ball, but was prevented from completing it by her opponents. England’s Leah Williamson then bounced the ball to the forearm – and it looked very clearly it was an active move. Germany should have gotten a penalty, but the whistle didn’t sound.
And this despite the fact that, unlike in 1966, there is now video evidence. However, the team of referees decided to let the game continue.