There is still no sign of a EUROphoria here in Manchester. But that will change abruptly when today at 9 p.m. (ORF 1) the opening game between Austria’s and England’s soccer women kicks off. Then the Old Trafford Stadium will show its best side, 75,000 fans can conjure up a witch’s cauldron from the theater of dreams, which gives this tournament an exquisite touch. The European Women’s Football Championships have been held since 1984, and there has never been a bigger backdrop or an arena more steeped in history than that of Manchester United.
But apparently it takes time to bring the audience in the city of 550,000 people up to operating temperature. The noise in the forest of leaves is (still) within limits.
Video: OÖN editor Alexander Zambarloukos with a first mood report from Manchester
The “Daily Star” dedicated an eight-page removable inner section to the EURO as a debut gift, while the “Manchester Evening News” didn’t lose a single line, instead they raged at the English champions Manchester City and their local rivals Manchester United, with the superstar Cristiano Ronaldo simply did not show up for the start of training.
“For family reasons,” as they say. It’s no longer a secret that the 37-year-old wants to leave the “Red Devils”. His aim is to shine in the Champions League. For this “CR7” has to change the address.
Reporting is pretty male-dominated. Christian Eriksen, who has been playing with a defibrillator since his cardiac arrest at EURO 2021, is said to have given his vows to ManUnited, while Manchester City are looking forward to new signing Kalvin Phillips, but at the same time announce the departure of goalscorer Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal. Everything in epic breadth in the “Evening News”.
And what about England’s women’s team? Nothing. No line. Is this the calm before the storm? When a couple of players stroll along Deansgate in the city center in the morning, they do so largely unnoticed, although they are out and about in the outfit of the “Three Lionesses”. After all, a van driver honks his horn, rolls down the window and calls out “Come on, girls”. It is returned with a wave.
“The Times” serves up tennis bully Nick Kyrgios on the cover photo – with the addition “He’s seeing red again”. The Wimbledon quarter-finalist and his fellow campaigners get four pages, the women’s EURO is present with half.
It’s about the motivation methods of Sarina Wiegman, England’s team boss, who led the Netherlands to the European Championship title in 2017. After shining in preparation in an internal training game five years ago, Kika Van Es was amazed at what Wiegman had in store for her as a trophy. “It’s one of my bras. I chose it because it supports me. It’s a symbol of the support we get from our fans.”
Yawning emptiness – until today
Another practice session winner received an empty picture frame – topped with Wiegman’s verbiage “Remember girls: in a few months there will be a photo in there with us and the trophy on stage.” Said and done.
Anyone looking for fan shops or EURO souvenirs will be disappointed. A street vendor is seen in front of Old Trafford stadium sorting his scarves. The sales proceeds? Equals zero. Business was also getting better in the restaurants. This has nothing to do with corona restrictions, the pandemic has been as good as abolished here. There are only minor restrictions in the media area. Press conferences are to be attended with masks, the same applies to the mixed zone when journalists meet the active people. The minimum distance to be maintained is 150 centimetres. That’s it.
Source: Nachrichten
