'I watched Lionesses in Euros semi-final and one thing really shocked me'

Daily Mirror

3 days ago

Despite playing girl's football for years, watching England vs Italy in the Euros semi final was my first ever women's game, and it was not what I expected
I played football way before it was even a professional sport for women in the UK, and yet shamefully had never been to watch a single game of women's football.
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So, when Geneva Tourism presented the opportunity to go to Geneva and watch the Lionesses play in the Euro's semi-final, it was a no-brainer.
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It's rare you get to watch a football game set against the backdrop of the French mountains, whilst standing in Switzerland, but that was the beauty of seeing the lionesses play at Stade de Genève. A beautiful stadium for the beautiful game.
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Seemingly now football fans, including myself, are realising the Lionesses have so much to offer to lovers of the sport and the team are certainly giving them plenty to celebrate.
I went into the stadium with an open mind, a buzz in the air, and an excitement to get to know how it feels to support a team that has a high chance of walking away with a win.
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I must admit, I didn't expect there to be as much atmosphere from the spectators in the crowd as there was but as stands packed out with fans of all genders, flags hung high, drums banging, and trumpets blaring there was a different kind of ambience.
This crowd was far less rowdy, less cruel to the opposition—seemingly less drunk too—but by no means did they lack that very same passion that drives any English football club.
When it came to the game itself, the standout thing I couldn't help but notice, and albeit could just be down to the intensity of this semi-final, is these players love to get handsy. The women on the pitch couldn't help but foul left, right, and centre, and that goes for both sides.
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I've never seen so many near yellow cards, hands being grabbed and players being shoved, sneaky pulls on shirts, and cheeky tripping over than I have in any other game of football.
It proved these Lionesses have just as much, if not more grit, aggression, and daring streak than the male players I've been watching my entire life. Although it did have me cringing anytime a corner was taken - hoping and praying that we wouldn't foul inside the box.
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For years, as a fan of football, I did feel a sense of awkwardness within me, in both the pubs and at the games, feeling I couldn't fully involve myself in the chaos.
It almost felt as though this was a game that belonged to the men and I was just merrily passing through. I didn't feel welcome to join in with the celebrations and the cheering because often, I didn't feel safe to.
But standing there in Geneva watching the Lionesses, it really did feel like it was everyone's game and one that I could be a part of. I hugged the woman I just met when we watched a fresh-on-the-pitch 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang score that first goal.
We collectively drank wine (yes, outside in the stands, can you believe it) and talked game play with fellow fans and it felt like a place where my version of football belonged.
While I won't be there to see the Lionesses take on Spain in the Euros final, I will be standing firmly in a pub, wine in hand, cheering along.
There's no doubt I will also be guilty of screaming 'REF' at the TV even when it's clear we did in fact foul, because let's face it, there was a lot of that happening.