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Football Came Home | Women’s Euro 22

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In a historic and thrilling finale, England’s Lionesses triumphed at the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, clinching a 2-1 victory over Germany at Wembley Stadium. This momentous win, held on July 31, 2022, marked England’s first major international trophy in women’s football and their first significant title since the men’s 1966 World Cup victory.

UEFA Women's Euro 2022
England versus Germany, Wembley Stadium. © Harriet Duffy

The atmosphere at Wembley was electric, with over 87,000 fans in attendance, setting a record for the highest attendance in European Championship history, for both men and women.

The triumph was a testament to the Lionesses’ skill, determination, and epitomised the growth of women’s football over the past few years. Manager Sarina Wiegman, who previously led the Netherlands to Euro glory in 2017, was instrumental in this success. The victory not only elevated England’s status in women’s football but also inspired a new generation of players and fans, promising a bright future for the sport in the country.

UEFA Women's Euro 2022
© Harriet Duffy
UEFA Women's Euro 2022
© Harriet Duffy
UEFA Women's Euro 2022
© Harriet Duffy
UEFA Women's Euro 2022
© Harriet Duffy

Football Came Home is a photographic series by Harriet Duffy that follows the triumph of England’s Lionesses during the Women’s Euro 22. The limited edition A5 zine contains 23 photographs shot in colour and black and white across 28 pages. The entire project was shot on film, the analogue format allowing Duffy to capture the tournament in her own unique way.

Football Came Home Women's Euro 22 Harriet Duffy
© Lower Block | Harriet Duffy

UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 tournament presented England with their first title in 56 years.

Once again it was Germany who stood in their path, just as they had in the World Cup in 1966.

Again it was Wembley, and once more it came with all the nerve wracking drama of extra time before England emerged victorious. The 87,000 crowd were euphoric. Germany, eight times winners of the women’s EUROs, were beaten in a final for the first time and Wembley was rocking.

“The tournament started off with a record attendance at Old Trafford, a key indication that the month was going to be special,” says Duffy, who witnessed the glory run from start to finish.

“I think as the coverage increased, so did tickets sales. People weren’t just going to England games but hunting tickets to other nations participating, resulting in more attendance records being broken. 

“It felt like people were finally taking notice of how good the women’s football and culture was, noting that although the physicality may be different from the men’s game, but the skillset is the same.”

Duffy shot it all on film, relishing mixing in with fans from throughout Europe.

“Nothing will beat that quarter-final between England and Spain. Georgia Stanway’s goal in extra-time will be ingrained in my brain forever. Limbs just flying around, everyone hugging each other and believing that, maybe, football was finally gonna come home.

“At the game in Southampton I was taken under the wing by the Austrians, buying me drinks and chatting about all things women’s football, extinguishing any cultural barriers between us.”

Best fans for Duffy, she says, were easily the Swedish. “The Soft Hooligans they call themselves. They stood out massively the whole month in their yellow and blue, marching towards the grounds to the beat of a drum.

“After spending the majority of the month travelling on my own, for the final I had 13 of my friends and family around me. We all met four hours before kick off, all quietly ‘bricking it’ because England were in a European Final again. 

“As my brother said of the occasion, “it’s football without the dickheads” and I couldn’t sum it up better than that.”

Duffy is a supporter of the men’s and women’s game, with fond memories of early games watching the likes of Ledley King and Robbie Keane from the stands at Tottenham.

“The media often paint women’s football as a family day out and so that’s one of the reasons I took on this project, to showcase that, actually, we do quite like a drink and a lot of us are above the age of 12!

“I think women’s football can offer a more inclusive atmosphere at a game but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a sense of tribalism which is inherent to the men’s game. You’ll still get people marching to the ground with flares and calling-card stickers. But, all that said, there’s never a sense of impending violence or abuse. 

“Oh, and that once we’re in, we’re entirely focused on the 90 minutes. None of those Mexican waves or phone light shows. 

“There’s a before and after the euros feeling in Women’s football in England, a feeling that the game has never been better. Attendances and participation has increased at every level of the game. 

“Tickets to women’s matches usually cost between £10-£25, it can’t get more accessible than that, so I just think try a game and see for yourself. Ask your local to put a game on one of the screens, one glance and someone could be hooked.”

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