Bring football home

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Charlie's POV:

Once we were in the stands, the game began. It was such an intense match to watch, both sides were so physical and putting everything into the game. Mum frequently put her body on the line, first putting in a heroic block to stop a shot from Sara Dabritz, before Rach followed suit to send the ball behind for a Germany corner which Mum headed clear.

Even as the game settled it remained physical between the two sides, the team earning two free-kicks in quick succession, before forcing Germany into a series of corners, the middle one setting up G for a delightful floating chance which Frohms had to tip behind.

Le put in a goal-saving clearance on the line on 25 minutes as a goalmouth scramble ensued, before Mary was able to gather the ball and restore some calm to a frantic first half.

With 38 minutes gone, Ellen had the final clear-cut chance of the half as she found Meado on the turn before she pulled back to Ellen, whose strike went inches over the bar, ensuring the teams went into the break all square.

During half time, I chatted to my uncle and both grandads about the game so far, turning to the rest of the families of the players to discuss the first half. I turned to see Ellie being spoiled by my aunts, and nanas and cousins. This is what I loved about football, it was for everyone, it brought people together. I looked around the stadium to see people smiling and laughing, enjoying a day at the football, no matter if it was women or men playing. Football is football no matter who is playing.

I watched as both teams raced back out again for the second half. I waved at Kei who glanced over to us and smiled slightly, before she turned away and went back into game mode. Germany were threatening at the restart, but Mary stood firm to an early chance from substitute Tabea Wassmuth as she made a strong run into the box and Mary was not needed for Germany's next chance as Magull fired wide on the turn.

The German pressure came to nothing as substitute Tooney put the team ahead on 62 minutes, running on to a pinpoint cross from midfield maestro Kei before Tooney raised the class levels even further by chipping Frohms to send Wembley into raptures. I cheered and screamed, not only for Tooney, but also Kei's amazing performance in midfield and getting an assist in a Euros final is an achievement in itself. If Barca don't sign Kei after that performance, than they're bloody blind.

Magull soon reminded England the game was far from over as she rattled the crossbar, Mary fingertips denying an equaliser, before safely holding on to the rebound from Lea Schuller as Wembley caught its breath from a frenetic five minutes.

And it was Magull who brought Germany level, combining well with Wassmuth whose low cross was poked over Mary and into the roof of the net with eleven minutes remaining in normal time.

Lessi was brought down by Kathrin Hendrich to provide England a final opportunity to win it with two minutes of added time remaining but the German defence were well-set to clear as the game was taken to extra time.

No team could gain the advantage in the opening 15 minutes of extra-time as both sides' tired, having given everything for 105 minutes. I watched as Mum and Kei along with the rest of them team were in a group huddle getting energy into them and listening to Sarina.

Jill, provided fresh impetus for England's attack as fellow substitute Chloe whipped up the crowd when the team earned a corner.

And it was Chloe who grabbed the winner, stabbing home the rebound from the corner sent in by Beth, it looked like Mum got a touch on it too, with ten minutes remaining for her first international goal and perhaps the most famous in England Women's history.

As they had done after our first goal, Germany immediately went on the attack but Mary was there again to safely hold on.

The team withstood that pressure as they emerged victorious in our home tournament to memorably bring football home at Wembley.  They'd bloody done it, they'd won the Euros.  I jumped up and down as my uncle picked me up in his arms.  The whole stadium was singing, cheering, smiling and some crying tears of joy, me being one of them.  My uncle put me down and I raced over to Jordy.  I jumped into her arms as she cried.  "They won Auntie Jordy", I whispered into her ear.  She just nodded as she hugged me tightly.  We stayed like that until the sound of Sweet Caroline boomed through the stadium, and we began singing and dancing along.  I looked over to the pitch to see Mum in tears, with a big smile on her face.  I spotted Kei hugging Leah.  I began waving frantically for Mum or Kei to spot, but instead it was Alex who spotted me and waved madly back at me.  She grabbed Mums attention and Mum instantly waved back at me.   I looked over to Nana and said "I wanna go see mum, can we go down Nana ?".  Nana looked down at me, with Ellie on her hip and shrugged her shoulders "I don't know Charlie".  I looked around for someone in charge and spotted  Arjan on the pitch nearest to us.  "Arjan !!", I screamed, getting a lot of looks, but I managed to get Arjan's attention.  He came over near to us and looked up at me quizzically.  "Can me and Ellie come onto the pitch ?", I said loud enough for him to hear me.  He laughed and nodded.  I looked to Nana and she helped me to push through the crowds to the barrier where Arjan helped me over, before quickly taking Ellie from Nana, and than letting her down next to me.  I waved to Nana and shouted "see ya later Nana", before taking Ellie's hand, and leading her towards the team. 

I spotted Alex first and quickly led Ellie over to her.  Alex grinned and swooped Ellie up, tickling her and pulling me into a hug.  "Congrats Auntie Al", I said, and Alex hugged me tighter, before we heard Ellie squealing and kicking her legs.  We looked to where she was looking, and spotted Kei racing over.  I raced over and met her halfway, and she picked me up, swinging me gently and I screamed "you won !!".  Kei laughed and screamed back "we did !!".  She let me down as I saw Alex approaching with an excited Ellie, who immediately grabbed Kei's jersey when she was in her arms.  Alex looked down at me and asked "want a piggy back to Luce ?".  I eagerly nodded and got onto her back, and she led us to Mum, who was still crying.  Mum took me from Alex's back and hugged me tightly "well done Mum", I whispered to her.  Mum just pressed a kiss to my head, before letting me down and wrapping her arms around Kei and giving her a very quick kiss.  I joined in the family hug and muttered "you'll be all over the internet for that kiss in less than an hour, it'll be #wonze have won the Euros, instead of England lionesses win the Euros".  Mum and Kei laughed at my comment, both of them knowing their small act of PDA would be all over the internet soon. 

I watched as the team went up to get their medals, and than to lift the trophy.  I stayed right behind the cameras and as soon as I could me and Ellie raced back over to everyone.  I jumped around with Lessi and Tooney and G, and Ellie played with the confetti from her spot on Mums shoulders.  I turned to G and loudly said "you might want to say sorry to your new teammates, wouldn't want to start the upcoming season on a bad foot", G laughed and tickled me.

I watched as Mum and Keira posed for a photo with the trophy, with Alex beside holding onto a wriggly Ellie. I ditched G and raced over, squeezing in between the two of them. Mum and Kei laughed and Keira took Ellie back from Alex. We posed for a photo as a family before Le and G bombed the photo. "You've ruined the photo now", I exclaimed, looking at the two of them. "How rude", Leah muttered, while G tried to put me in a headlock. This was the best day of my life and it wasn't even over yet

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