The England camp have been “electric” since reaching the Euro 2022 final and Lauren Hebb admits “there were tears at full-time”. The Manchester City forward spent more of the tournament smiling than crying, even during the national anthem. “I just think that every time the camera is on me, I just laugh to myself,” she says. “Obviously I’m always focused on the game, but that’s my way of relaxing – just being myself, the smiling person that I am.” It is part of the reason England’s success has become so contagious. Yes, there are deep meanings behind it all, 101 years after the FA decided to ban women’s football. Millions have converted and it seems to be an ever-growing minority who argue that this is a sport “quite unsuitable for women”, as it was put in 1921.

More than Football

The social significance of winning a first major trophy at Wembley on Sunday will not be lost on Sarina Wiegman’s side, but they do not make it their reason for being. They’re here to win football games, and in doing so, they’ve already fulfilled Wiegman’s promise to “make the nation proud.” How often do you hear England fans talking about Kieran Trippier’s free-kick in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals? now think how often you’ve seen the Croatian goals that followed. The 8-0 record against Norway. Alessia Russo’s back. The opening ceremony at Old Trafford. The Georgia Stanway Rocket. “TOOOOOONNEE.” None of that will be forgotten, whatever happens in north London this weekend.

How to watch the Euro 2022 final

Date: Sunday, July 31 Start: 5 pm Venue: Wembley Stadium TV channel: BBC One Live streaming: BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website

England’s women have long had a die-hard following, but these players are now household names. Football fans who would struggle to name a starting line-up at the turn of the year now have strong opinions about whether Russo should start (her current rate is a goal every 39 minutes off the bench), because Wiegman was right to put Leah Williamson in defense and how Lucy Bronze will slot into Barcelona’s defence. Scores of girls will join grassroots clubs and the 90,000 seater Wembley Stadium will be sold out. The last time England and Germany played in the final in 2009, the occasion was attended by just 15,000 fans. We slowly got there and Sunday is the final destination. Standing in England’s way is Germany, the eight-time European champions who have conceded a goal in all competitions (as well as England) and yet the hosts are still favourites.

Plan to give every England Women’s player an official cap in uproar over FA losing records July 27, 2022 England entered this tournament as the eighth best team in the world, and have blown the official rankings out of the water. There was never any doubt that they had the players. Millie Bright is a force on defense, Russo has been one of the great wonders of the WSL over the past couple of years. Ellen White is one of the greatest goalscorers in English history and with a goal against Germany, she could overtake Wayne Rooney at the top of the list. What was up for debate was whether all these elements would come together. “I think we’ve been the England we want to show, and we’ve done that, we haven’t changed a thing,” Hemp says. “Whenever we face teams that have played different styles, we stick to what we do and I think that’s important and that will be important for the final as well. We’ll just make sure we show the country what we’ve shown so far – and hopefully put on a show.”