Three days after the opening of the Women’s Euro 2022 in Manchester, Haily, 10, and her dad Stewart are still amazed by their evening at the stadium. “England won and everyone was very happy!” smiled the little girl. “The atmosphere was great, confirms his father. There were lots of kids, everyone had a great time and I had never seen so many men!”
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Sydney, she came from Brighton to witness the victory of the English Lionesses. This 17-year-old teenager plays midfield and is proud to see her idols encouraged: “We feel that it is gaining importance and it’s great to see that! It’s also because we have a great team and we hope to win!”
Portugal faces Switzerland on Saturday July 9 at 6 p.m. and the Netherlands, defending champions, oppose Sweden, before the entry into the running of the French on Sunday against Italy. And if the attendance records are beaten in the stadiums across the Channel – 67,000 spectators in Manchester on Wednesday for the opening match – the fervor on the spot is rather mixed.
Thus, by browsing the shelves of four sports stores in the hypercentre of Manchester, no trace of the jersey of the selection, nor of any women’s jersey. And when you hang out in front of the lair of football, the Old Trafford stadium, Mancunian supporters are less excited. “Yes, I watched the game it was interesting, maybe I’ll watch the next one”slips one of them. “Yes I am aware of the Euro, I have seen on YouTube and I have read things about it, but it is true that I am more men”concedes another.
Lucy, though she comes from a football-loving family, has just discovered the existence of the Euro. “I saw a poster just now but this is the first I’ve seen here in Manchester”she explains.
“I think it’s a shame that there isn’t more publicity like for a men’s game. If it had been the men, there would have been toast on TV, on the radio on the Internet …”
“It’s unfair for the players who have worked as hard as the men but don’t get the same recognition”, she concludes. Three weeks therefore remain for this Euro, which promises a higher level than ever and record attendance, to convert new investors, and therefore new fans.