AC Momento x UEFA Women’s Euro 2022
6th July 2022, England vs. Austria:
Magic. The only way I can describe what I saw last night. England beating Austria in their Women’s Euros opener at a packed-out Old Trafford, the atmosphere was bawdy and electric. It was an all-out party, the crowd’s belief in the Lionesses never greater. And my belief had gotten out of control.
The energy started hours before kick-off at the multiple fan zones around Manchester. Getting to the ground early, Polaroid ready, I was already walking through a sea of white and red. From Umbro to Nike, fans were decked in shirts of all eras. Bootleg merch and three Lioness flags, face paint and England bucket hats—you name it, if it's got a St. George’s Cross on, it’s for sale.
As I looked around I could spot seasoned supporters mixing with those attending a women’s tournament for the first time. It was an atmosphere I hadn’t come across at many matches. It felt special—a blow-out with none of the anxiety and anger that plagues the men's games, but still laced with healthy competition.
“This is the first time I’ve really felt in full unison with everyone at a game," said one seasoned fan I collared in the fan zone. 'It's Coming Home' might've turned into a meme last summer, but it had a different energy here.
“We’ve followed the Lionesses for a few years now and I think that this is the best the team has ever been," said another fan, there since 3pm in prep, now about to make their shuffle to the gates. "And to finally see them play in a sold-out ground like this... It's unbelievable”.
“We've been partying with the Austrians in the fan zone," said her mate. "This tournament will be a proper celebration of women’s football and we all know it”.
And it was just that: a celebration. A sign of what’s to come. Great football with great fans. And, as I visit all the grounds, I’ll be sure to bring you along the way, showcasing the beauty of women’s football culture in all its glory.
11th July 2022, Austria vs. Northern Ireland:
St. Mary’s was a new ground for me. I was to watch Austria take on Northern Ireland, two teams in need of points. And after two cancelled trains, a decision to drive and a regret of buying a car with no air con, I made it. Just. Don’t you love Britain when it’s hot and has an actual meltdown? But parking up in the city centre gave me a chance to wander through the fan zone. First impressions? Sun cream, and a lot of it. The DJ was playing ‘Freed from Desire’ at least, knowing his audience. Less than 10 minutes at the party, I’d been offered a pint if I swore loyalty to Austria—you can’t say no to that really. Two drinks later, we were heading off to the ground. True to my word I joined the beer-soaked Austrians, all eager to greet their team bus as it arrived.
“This is why we come," explained Felix from Vienna, shouting over the din of the crowd, "to fully get behind our country. No matter the result.” In this weather, beer helps.
“Whether it’s the men or women playing," added another fan, Laura, "we love them. They represent us and we’re proud people.” Having been at the fan party since 1pm, Laura was beginning to sway.
Although my ticket was bought at random, I lucked out. It was the kind of serendeipity that can only happen in football. I'd found myself with the people I’d made friends with earlier in the day, a newly-sworn Austrian, and, filtering through turnstiles A and B, it turned out I was in their section. How's your luck? Another pint sunk and sun cream shared, it was time to head to our seats. What awaited us was football in all its glory, blazing in direct sunlight to the slight smell of melting plastic.
Despite the heat, the Austrians remained rowdy throughout. They made use of the signs given out by the tournament volunteers to generate noise and their uniformed clapping echoed around the ground. It paid off ‘cos, 19 minutes in, and Schiechtl found the back of the net. The swayers found their rhythm in the stands. And then, in the second half, Naschenweng slotted to send those Austrian limbs flying.
As matches go, this was one I won’t forget. Sun, beers, and Austrian hospitality. I'm off to check rent prices in Vienna. Tschüss!
17th July 2022, Sweden vs. Portugal:
I’ve been to every Sweden game so far. Don’t ask me why because I can’t tell you. But there's no complaints: fans have been class, the games end-to-end, and the grounds have all been up north. Perfect for this heatwave.
For their game v Portugal, I arrived very early to watch a crowd of yellow and blue descend. The day was hot—dodgy merch sellers now sold electric fans alongside their half-and-half scarves. Despite the heat, the Swedes were already starting to make noise. Because what I’ve learned is that they’re always ready, informed by their supporters’ club of the day’s schedule well ahead of time. Drinking in the sun, mixing with other fans, they walk in unison to the ground under the command of a group known as the Soft Hooligans.
In the queue for the bar (cans from a fridge), I asked fans why they made that walk. “It’s for the players,” said Anna from Malmö. “We want to show them we’re all behind them; that if they need anything from us we will give it”.
“It’s also nice to cause a bit of noise in a foreign country,” piped in her mate. “We’re showing you that you can have beers, be loud and still be friendly”. To be honest, I couldn’t agree more.
It was a 20-min walk to the ground and, now in week 3 of the Euros, locals were ready, too. Vans sped past beeping horns, pub regulars came out with cameras ready. It showed women’s football is more than just the 90 minutes on the pitch and highlighted how important it is to encourage a fan culture that isn’t just aimed at kids.
We reached the ground as the Sweden players’ bus arrived and talk about rock star status. Half the crowd ran to where the bus parked up, just for a glimpse of who’d they be singing for in an hour’s time. Everywhere I looked shirts were printed with the names of the women’s team because this wasn’t just a day out on the piss—they were there for them.
And really, after spending time with the Swedish fans over the past few weeks, it’s hard not to be a little jealous of the culture they’ve created for their national team. It’s 100% support no questions asked with any gender fully backing their country. It’s exactly how women’s football culture can be. We should all be soft hooligans.
23rd July 2022, Netherlands vs. France:
For the last quarter-final match of the Euros, I found myself back in Rotherham, a city I knew of from the Chuckle Brothers and absolutely nothing else. But, having spent several hours dancing, drinking ,and trying to sing in another language, it will now be a city I associate with the Dutch forever. Rotherham became Rotterdam; the atmosphere infectious. I mean, I was so invested I even bought a £10 orange bucket hat which I now have no idea what to do with but savour the memories.
KO was at 8 but, by about 5ish, the main event had already begun. All Saints Square, in front of the main stage, where DJs had begun hyping the crowd up with songs I’d never heard of, was a sea of Oranje. By the end of their set, I’d Shazam’d every track—I was all the way in. The majority of the fans throwing limbs were all older than me; it was an environment where even the most introverted would willingly be dragged into the crowd to dance.
Speaking to fan Maria, she explained how this all came about. “Really it was from the 2017 Euros because winning that in our own country meant that there was massive increase in support for this team,” she said. “And we know how to party, of course”.
Then came the bus march. You may have seen videos circulating of an orange bus crawling along blaring out songs and thought ‘that looks class’ but, to really feel the experience, you’ve got to get right in the thick of it. I certainly did that. Donning face paint and an orange hat to fit in, no accessories were necessary: the Dutch were grabbing everyone, neutrals and French fans, to join in, too. No animosity, just a party that encapsulates the beauty of this tournament. As the songs kicked in you’d find yourself one minute walking along and waving flags then, the next minute you’d be hopping from side-to-side, arms draped around strangers. By the time we all got to the ground, I was knackered but we were ready. Ready to fully support the Netherlands no matter what...
That the match ended 1-0 to France after an extra-time penalty felt besides the point. For these fans, Netherlands had already won, and nothing would stop their party.
31st July 2022, England vs. Germany:
I’ve been asked to describe the scenes inside Wembley when the final whistle blew. I genuinely don’t even know how. Pandemonium. Limbs flying, strangers hugging strangers, tears flowing. There’d be no more hurt.
We headed to Wembley for 1pm, thinking we’d beat the queues. Oh, how wrong we were. Straight off the tube we were met with a deluge donning red and white, singing “Beth Mead’s on fire” and descending upon the merch stalls for souvenir bucket hats. England squad had made everyone believe again.
After the initial buzz off the crowds, it was time to get a drink. So, avoiding the queues we made the Blue Check our HQ, joining the Free Lionesses Fans’ Embassy and beginning the inevitable singalongs to ‘Sweet Caroline’—it’s got to be done. After two hours spent sharing stories of the Euros there, fans had drunk the bar dry dancing to ABBA, and it was time for the main event.
By the time we’d got to our seats the nerves I’d woken up with had vanished. The feeling that it was our time for glory was palpable and everyone just wanted the game to start. Throughout the first half, fans showed up every way they could. A hoof of a clearance? Yeah, we’ll cheer that to the rafters. But, by all means, the biggest roar I’d heard from this past month was when Ella Toone scooped it in. The confidence on that finish was matched by a deafening roar.
Never smooth sailing, though, is it? After 17 minutes of euphoria the crowd were silenced by Lina Magull and you could hear a penny drop around me. Extra-time loomed large—but it was something we’d won before, a period of play where the Lionesses have shown what they’re made of. And after Chloe Kelly’s goal… Well, whatever you want, Chloe, you can have it. It’s on us.
Having been lucky enough to follow England’s path to the final (always-always-always make a ticket spreadsheet), I’m struggling to put into words what this squad have done. From the players, the coaches, the photographers, and the back room staff they’ve united a country and changed English football forever. Barely 24 hours after the final whistle, I still can’t believe they finally brought it home.
UEFA Women’s Euros 2022 on reflection:
It was a month of trains, buses, and Ubers—I even a bike at one point. I survived off of meal deals, pies, and sausage rolls. Consumed so much Heineken that I don’t think I can touch one ever again. I’ve ended up with four bucket hats, three flags, and about a dozen of those free ‘goal’ handouts. I’ve lost count of the number of film rolls I’ve gone through, and taken so many Polaroids that I could literally piece out my entire journey step-by-step.
From the opener in Manchester to the final at Wembley, what a journey the Euros has been. I tagged along with the Austrians and partied with the Dutch, marched with the Swedes and was adopted by the Belgians. I lost my mind following the Lionesses and swapped stories with the Italians. The Swiss drank me under the table and the Danish draped me in their colours. I really could go on and describe how every nation I encountered last month welcomed me with open arms. No hostility, no anxiety, just community.
Honestly? It’s been the best month of my life. To get to witness in person the Lionesses do what no other English team could do and after having followed them ever since watching them beat Turkey 3-0 at a 48% capacity attendance at Walsall's Banks' Stadium…
Well, it’s all a bit emotional really.