Ahead of England’s massive UEFA Women’s Euros Final on Sunday, Lionesses legend Rachel Yankey has called upon big businesses and news outlets to continue covering women’s football in order to ensure England’s incredible success isn’t all for nothing.
In an interview with LiveScore the Women’s football icon also looked ahead to Beth Mead and Alexandra Popp facing off for the Golden Boot as England look to overcome Germany to be crowned champions.
Yankey details how the Lionesses can emerge victorious from an historic occasion at Wembley. You can read the full column here.
On the importance of leaving a lasting legacy Rachel said: “It’s so important this tournament leaves a lasting legacy. If all the big businesses and the news outlets stop their coverage now, then what was it for? It has to continue. The success of this tournament and the amount of people watching it shows the appetite is there.
“There are people who have probably watched women’s football for the first time and changed their mind on what they think of it. The BBC have televised every game, which was a huge step. Making it so visible has allowed people to form their own opinion of it, and they like they’ve seen!
“We need to make sure that every young child has the ability to watch the game, to be inspired and have visible role models. It’s okay for boys to have role models that are women! I’m sure there would be lots of boys and girls recreating that Alessia Russo goal on the playground if it wasn’t the school holidays right now!
“They’ve shown that women can do things that and they can be in any field they want to be.”
On Beth Mead’s Golden Boot battle with Alexandra Popp: “Beth Mead has had a fantastic tournament. The fact she’s got all those goals from a wide forward position is so impressive – and she also has three assists to her name. Her all-round game has been inspiring. She looks like she’s enjoyed every second.
“Alexandra Popp would have been injured for this tournament had it gone ahead last year. What a massive miss she would have been for Germany! In front of goal, she’s outstanding. Her movement, the different types of goals she scores. She’s so clinical and powerful in front of goal.
“I was likening her to an absolute legend of German football in Birgit Prinz, then I saw she is part of Germany’s staff so it’s no surprise to see Popp performing in this way! There’s so many similarities between the two.
“She’s an outstanding footballer and is fighting to win both the tournament and the Golden boot, it is a potentially scary thought if you’re England but I’m sure they will be wary of Beth Mead too!”
On the actual game: “England will walk out in front of 90,000 at Wembley against Germany on Sunday, what an occasion that is going to be for women’s football. In a way, the game is almost secondary. Which sounds really stupid to say. Hopefully it is a fantastic game with two super teams.
“I keep imaging all those people walking down Wembley Way. The atmosphere is going to be truly amazing.
“I remember playing at Wembley for Team GB. I don’t recall too much of the game, my overarching memory is looking out from the windows of the stadium afterwards and just seeing so many supporters still singing and enjoying themselves as they queued up to go home.
“It looked like a men’s FA Cup final day. I couldn’t believe that a women’s football game could attract such a crowd. Sunday is for a European final and it’s England vs Germany, so it’s going to be all that and so much more!”
Rachel Yankey was speaking to LiveScore. You can read her full column, click here.
