The final is not the most important game of the tournament, but it is the best. But only if you play. I had to watch the biggest final of my career, the 2022 European Championship final in England, from the stands. That was bad. Although at the time I thought: at least. I had Corona, and my test was negative just in time for the final day. Otherwise I would have had to stay in the hotel. Unfortunately, I wasn’t fit enough to play.
Sitting in the stands is really only marginally better than sitting alone in front of the TV. I was so nervous and I had time to be. I had nothing to do. As a player, I’m busy before a big game: getting there, getting dressed, warming up. There’s hardly any room for nervousness. And especially not during the game, when I’m focused. The pressure is actually less in the final than in the semi-final, for example. You still have something to lose, but in the final you’re already a small winner: the minimum goal has been achieved. And if you lose, it’s still a big success. Nobody takes it badly.
Nevertheless, as a spectator in the stands, I had all the thoughts in the world. The atmosphere was intimidating. We played against England. In a sold-out Wembley Stadium. In England, football fans are interested not only in the men’s teams, but also in the women’s. You could tell: there was singing, there was choreography, and everyone in the stadium was cheering for every good move in the game.
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The fans also play an important role for the English at this European Championship. The fact that they stick with the team, even if they don’t play the best football, makes a big difference.
The Three Lions have shown once again at this tournament that football is purely a sport of results. They didn’t impress with their playing quality, they just won. And if they do it again on Sunday, then in a week’s time no one will be talking about how bad it was. Then they will be talking about England being European champions. Especially after their improved performance in the last game, I believe they can do it.
Nevertheless, if I could choose as a player, I would rather play against them than against Spain. The English may have great individual class and know how to use it, but as a team they don’t play together that well. The Spanish’s variable combination play, on the other hand, is incredibly difficult to defend.
I would be more happy for them to win. They have shown great performances throughout the tournament and played attractive football. The German national players are probably more for Spain too. As much as it annoys you, you would prefer to be eliminated by the team that goes on to win the tournament. Then you can always say: we only lost to the European champions!
That also helps you process the tournament. When you’re knocked out, you fall into a hole. For weeks you were full of adrenaline, concentrating on nothing else, planning nothing, and then suddenly it’s over. You have to deal with it. What helps: sleep. And keep people away who want to talk about the tournament. That’s not possible at the moment, you have to process it yourself first. It’s best if you have people you love around you, your own family, maybe go on a little vacation.
Then you might even have the nerve to watch the final. I always do that. It hurts, but if I can’t play, watching is the next best option.
“Bühl on the ball”
Bühl on the ball is a ZEIT ONLINE column by Klara Bühl. In it, the German national player of the year 2023 accompanies the European Championship in her own country and everything that goes with it. She gives insights into the everyday life and madness of the tournament, shares her game observations and analyzes the teams’ chances. The column is created in exchange with Laura Sophia Jung, editor at ZEIT ONLINE.
The final is not the most important game of the tournament, but it is the best. But only if you play. I had to watch the biggest final of my career, the 2022 European Championship final in England, from the stands. That was bad. Although at the time I thought: at least. I had Corona, and my test was negative just in time for the final day. Otherwise I would have had to stay in the hotel. Unfortunately, I wasn’t fit enough to play.
Sitting in the stands is really only marginally better than sitting alone in front of the TV. I was so nervous and I had time to be. I had nothing to do. As a player, I’m busy before a big game: getting there, getting dressed, warming up. There’s hardly any room for nervousness. And especially not during the game, when I’m focused. The pressure is actually less in the final than in the semi-final, for example. You still have something to lose, but in the final you’re already a small winner: the minimum goal has been achieved. And if you lose, it’s still a big success. Nobody takes it badly.
