"The beginning of something really big": DFB women celebrate a mega party with thousands of fans

After the heart-stopping final against England, the German EM heroes land in Frankfurt.

"The beginning of something really big": DFB women celebrate a mega party with thousands of fans

After the heart-stopping final against England, the German EM heroes land in Frankfurt. There is a big party with thousands of fans at the Römer. In the meantime, a lot of pride is mixed with the disappointment about the bitter bankruptcy.

Thousands of enthusiastic people celebrated the German women's soccer team on their return from the European Championships in England at the Römer in Frankfurt. The team of national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg narrowly missed out on the ninth European Championship title after losing 2-1 after extra time in the final against hosts England, but won a lot of sympathy thanks to their great performance in the finals.

"Of course we suffered a lot," said Voss-Tecklenburg. "We actually wanted to be European champions and not the winners of hearts. But if the great performance helped us win the hearts of the German people, then we're happy to be the winners of hearts."

The entire DFB entourage was greeted warmly as soon as they landed in Frankfurt. National coach Voss-Tecklenburg was the first to get off the plane, followed by captain Alexandra Popp, who had to watch the final injured. Later, the players and the national coach signed the city's golden book in the Römer. "We experienced the end of a tournament on Sunday, but also the beginning of something really big. We can all look forward to that," said DFB President Bernd Neuendorf in recognition of the appearance at the European Championship and added: "Of course we hope that we a lot of women and young girls will be drawn into football by this wonderful tournament."

At 2:19 p.m., the plane with the vice European champions landed at the airport in Frankfurt/Main. Even before departure from London, pride mixed in with the disappointment of missing out on the European Championship triumph. After Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit to the Wembley dressing room and a celebratory banquet, the players danced and celebrated until the early hours of the morning.