I think it is safe to say a lot of people reading this post will have had the time of their lives in July thanks to the Euros and I know I can honestly say it has been the dream month for me. A full month of major tournament football here in England during a month where I am normally sat around counting down the days to the seasons starting again, then getting to see England become winners of that major tournament, it is a dream come true and honestly it still feels like a dream to me and it could do for a long time. We were lucky enough to receive all the tickets we were balloted for in the pre-sale and it just so happens purchasing those games when we didn't know who was even playing worked well in our favour as the games ended up being teams we really wanted to see and we got to see some of our favourite players in action. The tournament was originally delayed a year due to the pandemic and it seemed to be a very long wait but it was worth it all in the end and this tournament has made me even more excited for the new seasons starting up. 

As I said earlier we managed to get tickets to all those games we were in the ballot for and I am so grateful that we did, we knew the opener would include England but as for their opponent and the rest of the games we had no idea who we would be paying to see. As the tournament grew closer I sat and told Liam I was adopting Sweden as a bit of a second team to cheer on throughout the competition as I loved their style of play and Liam told me his would be the Netherlands. So when the fixtures came out and we saw we were going to be at the stadium watching Sweden vs the Netherlands you bet we were involved in a friendly bit of competition. If we weren't at the stadium watching a game though you bet we were watching at least 1 game per day on the TV, it truly was a month of only football. So here are the games that we were lucky enough to attend...

England vs Austria

The tournament opener was the one we really wanted to go see, not just because it was an England game up North but also because it was a game in Old Trafford, one of my favourite stadiums. When the groups were drawn I was hoping this would be the game against Norway but seeing Austria play was also fantastic, they really put up a fight against England and showed they weren't to be written out of the tournament too soon. The atmosphere was fantastic at this game and those 90 minutes set up the start of a perfect tournament. 

Sweden vs Netherlands

As I said earlier I said that Sweden were my second team and Liam said the Netherlands were his so we were more than excited when the fixtures were announced and we saw that we would be watching the two teams face off in Sheffield. We thought the atmosphere was brilliant at the opener but honestly these two sets of fans really brought the noise and it was a great experience being in the stadium soaking it all up and watching a good game of football, it wasn't the best game we saw as both teams cancelled each other out but it was still a good game.

Sweden vs Belgium

The next game we went to was another Sweden game and this time it was to see them take on Belgium in the quarter finals, we really did soak up this game I was in the Sweden shirt, face paint on and we joined in the fan walk to the stadium. It was a fantastic day but they kept us on the edge of our seats with their performance. Belgium really put in a performance and if I am honest I thought they were going to progress to the semi finals but Sweden managed to get that all important goal in stoppage time, it was great to see them progress but I still feel sorry for Belgium as they probably deserved the win that evening. It was great to see Tessa Wullaert play again too as I have missed seeing her at Man City.

Netherlands vs France

We were both very lucky as we got to see both our second teams in the quarter finals however, Liam's didn't get the result that mine did and France came out the winners of a very closely contested game which went to extra time and both sides looked very threatening in. Again this is a game where we really soaked up the atmosphere as we found the Netherlands fans some of the best in the whole tournament with the atmosphere they created. I have to say this was definitely the best fan walk we did as the fans are crazy but in a good way. even when they were knocked out of the tournament the fans were there celebrating how well the team had done. It was great to be there to see some of my favourite players play at long last too such as Roord and van de Donk. 

England vs Sweden

I have to say this was the game I was really dreading (although I always wanted England to walk away the winners) and I hoped it was going to be the final game not the semi finals. I was so excited to see my favourite two teams play each other in what should have been a very close game but Sweden just didn't turn up and England had a spectacular game, they shouldn't have won 4-0 in a semi final it should have been much closer but after those 90 minutes I was so relieved that England had finally broke that semi final curse and the likes of Lucy Bronze, Ellen White and Jill Scott were finally getting to the final after suffering heartbreak in the past 3 major tournaments.

England vs Germany

I got laughed at when I bought tickets to the final last year but in the end after seeing the demand for the tickets I am so glad we did manage to get them when we did as England took on Germany for the title of European champions. To know we had tickets to see this game I was like a kid at Christmas and on the day of the final we just soaked it all in. The 120 minutes were the most nerve wrecking and when that Chloe Kelly goal went in I don't think I have ever celebrated as much. There were tears all round at full time and to this day it still feels like a dream, to be able to say I was there for the Lionesses lifting their first major tournament trophy is amazing and the tournament holds memories that will last a life time. 

It was nice seeing a tournament go in England's favour after so many years of heartbreak, watching the women's game grow to what it is today and the potential it has now after the win is amazing. I am so glad we got our tickets early as I wouldn't have wanted to miss out on any of the opportunities we had, it has been a tournament filled with plenty of highs for a change and here our highs...

England Winning

I think this is the most obvious high for a whole lot of people. After so many years of heartbreak football is finally home. Under Wiegman the teams mentality seems to have massively changed and we look like such a threat in every game we play. Seeing them lift that trophy just puts an end to all those years of heartbreak and honestly it has put the team on the map for the newcomers to the sport but I think its also raised the hope of us who have watched for a long time that this is now only the beginning of what could be a fantastic few years with the World Cup coming up in 2023. 

Getting past that semi final curse

For so many years I have seen the Lionesses get through to the semi finals and fail to progress to the final and seeing those players sat on the floor in tears at the end of those games has been heartbreaking, especially when you get the close ups of Ellen White and Lucy Bronze, those 2 have been through it all for a long time with the squad so to see White in happy tears at the end of the semi final was certainly heartwarming and seeing them go on to lift the trophy just brought tears to everyone's eyes, everyone on that team deserve that win but you can't help feel so much more excited for those who have been part of the heartbreak in the past. 

Fan walks

Me and Liam have loved soaking it all up this tournament and one thing we have loved the most is the fan walks before the game. Being in that group of fans walking to the stadium together chanting and just enjoying the day has been fantastic. Don't get me wrong the Sweden quarter final one was great and the England semi final one was something special due to it being for our country but I just don't think you can beat the Netherlands one, that was a special experience that I know we are never going to forget, being in a sea of orange jumping around and singing whilst making our way to a quarter final game. If you asked me to walk to the game normally and do the amount of steps I did on these walks I would have complained massively but those fan walks took away all complaints.

Atmosphere

Sometimes you can go to a women's game and the atmosphere can feel a bit flat, like only a few are getting behind the team but this tournament the atmosphere in those stadiums was unreal. Foreign fans really brought the noise for the team and showed us all how it was done, some teams fans never seemed to stop. Even the English atmosphere really started to gain momentum and the atmosphere at the final was the best I have experienced. I am really hoping we can replicate this at other games throughout the season as those players really stepped up with the atmosphere the fans created. 

Russo back heel & Stanway screamer

I couldn't do my highs from the tournament without including these two goals, they are my goals of the tournament. First up you have Stanway securing England's place in the semi final with a stunning strike which really showed everyone just what she is capable of, Man City are definitely going to miss her next season. Then you have Russo with the cheeky back heel goal in the semi final and nutmeg not one but two Swedish players, to be able to do that in a semi final just goes to show the confidence in the team and the players on the team and it has really helped boost Russo's profile, I can see a lot of people picking up Russo shirts for the new season.

Seeing players really make a name for themselves

This high doesn't just go for the England team although I think a lot of those players have made a name for themselves and will be on peoples radars for a long time, Kelly, Russo, Hemp & Toone are just a few of the ones from England that stand out for me but at the same time you have a lot of young talent from elsewhere that are going to be players that people keep an eye on in future tournaments and in future seasons, Lena Oberdorf from Germany is one of those players who really shone through the season and gained herself young player of the tournament, I know I will be keeping an eye on her future progress and I can see many other fans of the women's game doing the same.

Memories that will last a life time

The memories created throughout this month really are going to live on for a life time. Me and Liam, going to plenty of games and going on little adventures on our own, having family with us for the opener and the final has all being fantastic. Add seeing Leah Williamson lifting the trophy at Wembley to that list and those memories are never going to fade. As someone who has followed the game for a long time, long before this website even started the tournament has magical and has been a very long time coming. I think it is going to feel like a dream for such a long time but I have collected mementos along the way that I am going to hold onto forever.

Jill Scott

Yes Jill Scott really does get her own section on my highs from the tournament. Jill has been one of my favourite players for as long as I can remember and this tournament has just made me love her even more. A lot of people were complaining about why we would take her to this tournament but I think throughout the month a lot of people's eyes have been opened to the sort of player Jill is and what she can bring to the squad. She is hilarious, she can help motivate the team and she can still play brilliantly and isn't afraid to get stuck in for challenges. Plus we now have the iconic moment of what she shouted to the German player after a challenge which has already made its way onto t-shirts. She really is a national treasure.

I know I keep saying it but this tournament really has been spectacular and I am really hoping this is just the start for the growth of the women's game here in the UK, it is time clubs really capitalise on the Success and momentum we have seen throughout July to keep the game heading in the right direction. Here are some of the things we are hoping to see off the back of Euro 2022...

Attendances grow across the board

There is a full post coming about this in the near future so I wont go into it too much today. We are already seeing ticket sales soar for the start of the WSL but are we going to see that continue when people realise they are going to have to pick between the men or women due to schedules clashing, or when the weather changes and the cold evening games set in are we going to see attendances suddenly drop again? I really hope not and I really hope we see attendances increase at all levels not just in the top flight.

Momentum taking place for the growth of the game

I am really hoping that we are going to see more teams investing in the women's game along with brands putting their money where their mouth is rather than jumping on the bandwagon for a month then dropping off the face of the earth once again. It is time to build on what we have seen this summer across all levels and grow the game into what it deserves, it is time for the women's game to gather pace and start to shine rather than being overshadowed.  

See more girls and women take part in the sport

I signed up to play 9 a side again at the end of last year and joined a Friday night 5 a side session and since the Euros the amount of people being added to the group chat for organising the games has been unreal and numbers are increasing in the participation. I would love to see this replicated across all age groups throughout the country, people just starting out and others getting back to it. I really hope so see those people stick to it though and not get fed up when the weather changes or when the hype of the tournament has dropped off. 

More advertising & promotion of the women's game

We are seeing the Lionesses everywhere at the moment, on TV & in newspapers, clubs are promoting games like never before and to keep the momentum going we need to be seeing this year round not just for a few weeks after the major win. There is no point putting it all out there to totally drop the women when the men's game starts back up or have a major tournament to take part it. There needs to be consistency in keeping the women's game in the public eye to keep up with the high ticket sales and get more eyes on the game it can't just be a one off. Get more games on the TV, get more players being interviewed on major sites in build up to games an get the fans attention gripped and don't let the woemen's game slip off the face of the earth in a few weeks. 

Get those big names involved more and get the big brands on board to promote like they have since the win, if they are really wanting the game to grow like they say now is the time to get on board with the promotion of the game and don't let that historic win just disappear from the media, let's keep things moving along in the right direction.

I really don't think I could have wished for a better summer of football, it has been a dream come true which has motivated and inspired me in so many aspects of my life which I am really looking forward to starting on and working towards. These Lionesses have really inspired the nation and I am looking forward to seeing what is next for them and the leagues in the UK. What a dream month it has been and that win just proved to everyone anything is achievable if you work hard enough for it and are determined to come out on top.

What is a highlight of the Euro's for you?