Fans have contrasted the ‘beautiful family atmosphere’ at Wembley during the Lionesses’ triumph yesterday to the disgraceful scenes of carnage at the men’s Euros final – when mobs of ticketless fans stormed the gates in a day of shame for England.
BBC sports correspondent Natalie Pirks was among those noting the strikingly different atmosphere, tweeting: ‘Just left Wembley en route to Trafalgar. There were no mounds of litter, no overwhelming stench of urine, no trampled barriers.
‘My children came last night and any anxiety I had ended when I experienced the beautiful family, happy atmosphere. Can it always be like this, please?’
Sport England CEO Tim Hollingsworth made the same point by sharing a photo of a young girl stroking a police horse.
He wrote: ‘If you needed an image that sums up the difference arriving on Wembley Way for this year’s Euros final compared to last year’s… then this is it. Atmosphere joyous. #WEuros2022 #Wembley.’
Crowds outside Wembley yesterday (left) contrasted with the scenes last year, when an estimated 5,000 ticketless fans breached security
BBC sports correspondent Natalie Pirks was among those noting the strikingly different atmosphere, tweeting: ‘Just left Wembley en route to Trafalgar. There were no mounds of litter, no overwhelming stench of urine, no trampled barriers’
A family atmosphere on Wembley Way yesterday (left) compared to 2021, when fans left behind piles of litter
Onlookers overwhelmingly praised the behaviour of yesterday’s 87,192-strong crowd, which set a new record for either a men’s or women’s Euros final.
In contrast, the men’s final on July 11 last year was marred by an estimated 5,000 ticketless thugs breaching Wembley security and forcing their way into the concourses, with fights breaking out with supporters trying to stop them.
Elsewhere in London fans were seen trashing Leicester Square and openly snorting cocaine. Police arrested 86 people, including 53 at Wembley, for public order offences, ABH, being drunk and disorderly and criminal damage.
At the time some Covid restrictions still applied, including the rule of six for groups meeting inside and a 30-people limit outside. Thousands contracted Covid after the event, according to government figures.
Sharing a photo of joyous fans yesterday next to a man in a trolley surrounded by piles of rubbish at last year’s final, Alex Hesz tweeted: ‘Contrast the behaviour, atmosphere and culture around Wembley today vs the 2020 final.’
Another Twitter user, Isabela Campagna, said: ‘Lovely to see little girls and families in the crowd enjoying the #england UEFA womens euro 2022 instead of hooligans, bad language and violence!! great achievement for the #Lionesses #win #strongwomen.’
Among the crowd at Wembley yesterday was Emma Newman, 21, a student from Whitby in North Yorkshire.
She said: ‘It’s a really nice atmosphere, people are just here to see the match and nothing else.
‘It’s right that fans aren’t causing trouble, these women are inspiring and deserve to be supported properly. I just hope they can get the job done.’
Yesterday’s celebrations continued long into the night, with England’s pride of heroic Lionesses enjoying a night partying until 4am ahead of a Trafalgar Square victory party with fans.
The team were congratulated by the Queen and then celebrated the win late into the night – including wild dancing at Wembley, on the team coach and even in the car park outside their hotel – after making history and beating Germany 2-1.
Onlookers overwhelmingly praised the behaviour of yesterday’s 87,192-strong crowd, which set a new record for either a men’s or women’s Euros final (pictured – this year’s final compared to 2021)
Wembley Way yesterday (left) and before the men’s final (right). Last night saw a huge victory party in Trafalgar Square carry on into the night
Sharing a photo of joyous fans yesterday next to a man in a trolley surrounded by piles of rubbish at last year’s final, Alex Hesz tweeted: ‘Contrast the behaviour, atmosphere and culture around Wembley today vs the 2020 final’
Sport England CEO Tim Hollingsworth shared a photo of a young girl stroking a police horse. He wrote: ‘If you needed an image that sums up the difference arriving on Wembley Way for this year’s Euros final compared to last year’s… then this is it. Atmosphere joyous. #WEuros2022 #Wembley’
Captain Leah Williamson received a huge cheer from dozens of fans as she emerged from the team hotel holding the Euro trophy.
Wearing a red bucket hat, Leah struggled to lift the silver trophy above her head. She then told the BBC: ‘I’m feeling a bit rough this morning’.
The Lionesses arrived back at their team hotel just before 11pm for a victory party.
A hotel guest said : ‘Everyone was clapping and cheering when they came in. I am sure it was one hell of a party. If anyone deserved to celebrate it was the Lionesses’.
Ecstatic England fans remained in a jubilant mood this morning as they prepared to watch the Lionesses lift the Euro 22 trophy at a Trafalgar Square victory party.
Teachers, Flic Burgess, 30 and Polly Swindells, 29, said they hoped the stunning victory would now blaze a trail for women’s football and secure more opportunities for girls to play in school.
Ms Swindells, from North London, said: ‘I watched the game yesterday at Wembley and the atmosphere was amazing, the fans were behind the team all the way.
‘The Lionesses were brilliant, they held their nerve and stuck to the gameplan and it paid off, our first cup in 56-years since 1966.
‘It’s such a boost for the women’s game and the challenge for us as teachers now is how do we get girls playing football every day in school? We need to build on this momentum.’
the men’s final on July 11 last year was marred by an estimated 5,000 ticketless thugs breaching Wembley security and forcing their way into the concourses, with fights breaking out with supporters trying to stop them
Scenes at the men’s Euros final, wen 5,000 ticketless thugs were estimated to have broken into Wembley
Onlookers overwhelmingly praised the behaviour of yesterday’s 87,192-strong crowd, which set a new record for either a men’s or women’s Euros final
Ms Burgess agreed and said: ‘I was in tears at the end. It’s a special occasion, the whole country is celebrating, and I think now a new generation of young girls are going to be inspired by this. They need to be given every opportunity to play football like the boys.’
Also at Wembley roaring on the Lionesses yesterday were mothers Jemma Gardner and eight-year-old daughter Eve who travelled nearly 200-miles from their home near Preston, Lancashire.
Hairdresser Jemma, 37, gushed: ‘What a fantastic win and what an absolutely brilliant team. They were the best team in the tournament and so deserved the victory.
‘My daughter plays football for a local team and we actually won the tickets in a competition held by her football club.
‘I think the Lionesses are a inspiration and more girls like Eve are going to be taking up football now. Hopefully we’ll have another winning team in the future.’
Eve, shrouded in the flag of St George, said: ‘I though the Lionesses were amazing yesterday.
‘I was so pleased when they won. My favourite player is Lucy Bronze but my mum likes Alessia Russo.
‘It was my first football match and to see England lift the cup at Wembley was a dream come true.’
Ayuma and Liane, right, kiss as they gather in the fan zone in Trafalgar Square to watch on a big screen
England fans outside the stadium before the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final at Wembley Stadium
Dawn Edwards and eight-year-old son James Wellecomme were looking forward to catching a glimpse of the team this afternoon and watching them lift the Euro22 trophy.
Trafalgar Squre was awash with England flags as supporters danced to the ‘Three Lions’ anthem which blared out the famous line ‘It’s Coming Home’ through loudspeakers.
Ms Edwards, 47, from Croydon, South London, said: ‘The atmosphere here is euphoric, it means so much to so many. I’m really glad I could be here celebrating with my son.
‘He’s a big football fan, he doesn’t care if he’s watching the men or women, so for him to see the Lionesses bring it home will be a memorable occasion.’
Chelsea fan James nodded and said: ‘They’re ace, the best team in Europe and the champions. I want to shake hands with as many of the team as I can.’
England football fans celebrate in Trafalgar Square at full time as England win the UEFA Euro womens championship final