The Euro wave sends ripples to Indian shores

The impact of the wildly popular 2022 edition is being felt here. But the women’s game, which is beginning to grow in the country, cannot afford setbacks such as FIFA’s ban of the AIFF

Chloe Kelly took another glance back at the goal, as if to make sure she had indeed scored. She had, yes. She whipped off her shirt and whirled it above her head. 

It was reminiscent of Brandi Chastain’s iconic celebration in 1999 after her penalty kick won USA the Women’s World Cup. A crowd of 90,185 fans had watched the host defeat China in the final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The television audience in the US alone peaked at 40 million viewers.

That game changed women’s football in North America forever. It also gave a major impetus to the women’s game the world over. The image of the American team celebrating after the shootout remains a defining moment. It has inspired many to take up the sport.

England’s triumph in the Euro at Wembley 23 years later is likely to be similarly remembered years from now. It could well have a comparable impact.

As many as 87,192 fans were there to witness the Cup finally ‘coming home’ — something England had been desperately hoping for at every major football competition after the 1966 World Cup triumph, which was also at Wembley. It was the biggest crowd in the history of the Euro — for a men’s or women’s match.

The final, in which England defeated Germany 2-1, with Kelly’s winner coming late in extra time, also broke the record for television. BBC’s telecast of the match was watched by 17.4 million in the UK and another 5.9 million on live stream. This means the match was watched by about 34% of the UK’s population.

It was a big hit in Germany too; almost 18 million people watched their team lose for the first time in nine Women’s Euro finals. It was not just the final, the entire tournament proved a great advertisement for football. Staged on 10 grounds across England, the matches were watched by more than 550,000 fans, who proved that the women’s game has a bright future.