The final is only moments away. One can feel the excitement and even some jitters during Thursday’s morning hours at the German team hotel. Kickoff at 6 P.M., with the chance to win the 7th European Championship, the fifth continental title in succession. Germany’s women have dominated European football since 1993, when Norway last won the title. Each and every player on the roster of Silvia Neid is aware of what’s at stake.
History can be written tonight in a football classic: Germany vs England. And still, in a way these few hours before the game run along a well-scripted plan. It is buisiness as usual. Breakfast last’s until 9 A.M., with each player taking the day’s first meal at her convenience. “Walk with ball” ist the next item on today’s itinerary. This easy passing game is intended to give the players a chance to break a slight sweat, to get the metabolism going.
Silvia Neid then informs the team about the starting line-up, followed by lunch at noon. Players rest until 3 P.M. – some players take a nap, some relax by reading or watching a DVD. Then, the time has come for the pre-game meal, which is suited for the nutritional needs of every player.
Bus departs 90 minutes before kickoff
Now, the final moments of the countdown towards game time have arrived. The bus departs ninety minutes before the game, with the ride to the stadium just taking 10 minutes.
No matter what the outcome, one thing is for certain – the team, coaches and staff will return to the team hotel, only to depart once again for a late-night event at a Helsinki restaurant, together with a delegation led by DFB-President Dr. Theo Zwanziger, Honorary President Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder, General Secretary Wolfgang Niersbach, Vice-President Rolf Hocke and Honorary Vice-President Engelbert Nelle.
Friday morning, the team, hopefully with the trophy in their possession, return to Frankfurt, Germany, with a chartered flight scheduled to arrive at 1.05 P.M. In case of a successful outcome, a reception at the Römer, Frankfurt’s historic city hall, is scheduled for Friday afternoon.