Even the tube to Wembley had an electric atmosphere, with everybody singing Football’s Coming Home, Vindaloo and playing vuvuzelas as the train went through Central London.
And of course the party continued at Wembley itself, with fans dancing and singing outside, queuing up to get temporary tattoos and their faces painted with the England flag.
And despite England giving Sweden a 4-0 pasting in the semi-final there was clearly no love lost between the Swedish fans, with a few walking into Wembley wearing their team’s colours - but having the England flag on their cheek.
Inside, the stadium was completely full, with a majority female crowd cheering on our incredible Lionesses. After dancing to Becky Hill and Ultra Nate, noise erupted from the throng as the team entered the pitch.
In sharp contrast to last year’s scenes at Wembley during the men’s Euro final, which saw fans without tickets storm the ground, fights and allegations of drug taking among the crowd, this match had a more friendly, jovial mood - and also a more family-friendly feel with several young girls in the crowd cheering the inspirational England women on, some holding up flags.
I’d attended the group game against Northern Ireland, as well as Denmark V Spain, and it was similar in terms of a more sedate crowd who mainly concentrated on the football itself.
One young fan waved a blue foam finger in the air every time there was a set piece - and in the first half there were several, mostly in England’s favour, with a few free kicks but sadly near-misses, despite also several attempts at the goal.
But tensions were still riding high. The last time the Lionesses were in a Women’s Euro final was 2009. Again, they played our old footballing foes Germany - but that time they lost 6-2 so we don’t like to talk about that.
However this time around throughout the first half, they proved to be a more formidable force, showing the same prowess that has given them their unbeaten run under manager Sarina Weigman, and were the stronger team.
Come on England!
Shreyans Nilvarna, from Lewes was celebrating his 25th birthday at the game. He moved from India to the UK in 2020 to study.
“I’ve been to every England game except for the semi-finals, and saw Germany play the semi finals and quarter final”.
“I hadn’t seen women’s football before but have got into it and did my dissertation on women’s football, and now work for Lewes FC. I’ve become a diehard women’s football fan.
Winning would be massive, I had tears in my eyes seeing the Lionesses walk out at Old Trafford. If they win it’s going to be a big turning point, a new day for women’s football.”
Michele Harvey, 53, a doctor’s receptionist from Hastings was at the match with pal Julia Ridger, 54, a financial services director from Sevenoaks.
Michele has been watching football since she was born, growing up with two brothers and supporting Man United she says football is her life.
She said: “Since the 1977 FA cup we’ve followed them. I hadn’t followed the women’s game much before but this has really inspired me. I’ve been looking at Brighton fixtures to go and watch the women. A win would be amazing and so good for the game, bringing a lot of young women into the sport.”
Julia says: “When I was growing up my parents had to speak to my junior school about me playing with the boys. I was lucky enough to be in a comp where PE was mixed so I could play, and I think it’s good for girls to be able to play. They’re better than the boys.”
Stockbroker Stuart Jones, 42, from Sevenoaks was at the game with his daughter Araya, 7, who sported a glittery England heart on her cheek.
Stuart says: “I’m a massive sport fan in general and have been following the women’s team for a long time. It’s really important that my daughter has been able to see these great role models for the women’s game, and a win would mean a lot.”
Emma Baring, 31, from Brackley, Northants was at the match with other women from her women’s football team. Halse United.
They had spent the day drinking in Boxpark and enjoying the lively atmosphere.
Emma says: “I cried twice today. When I was at school I wasn’t allowed to play PE with the boys, I wasn’t allowed to play football. I had to go to clubs outside of the school and find women’s teams but there wasn’t very many. It just meant I wasn’t able to play football as much.
“The Lionesses are full-time, they earn a living from it. It’s so good. The whole atmosphere and everything here is amazing. If they win we are going to be celebrating like mad.”
Nikita Clark, 24, from Worcester was with friends Indy Nuttall, 24, from Harrogate and Izzy Nicholls-Hall, 24 and Ella Raybone, 24, from London.
Ella says: “I’ve been a football fan a long time because of my dad. I’ve been to some Tottenham women’s games. It’s been incredible. It’s so nice seeing the country getting behind it and all the pundits supporting them. We are big fans of Beth Mead, she is on fire.”
Nikita says: “A win would mean respect for women’s football. Even if they lose, what they’ve done is incredible.”
Emma Harmeston-Taylor, 40, from Chessington, Surrey, works in finance and was at the game with her son Lennon, 12, and twin daughters Maddy, 10, and Millie, 10.
Emma says: “We went to the Brighton game against Norway and to Milton Keynes as well for Germany v France. The Lionesses are incredible, they had a tough game against Spain but kept going, and the goals like the backheel in the last game were ridiculous. "They’re such great role models for my daughters. They love Millie Bright and play football. Getting girls into the game is so important.
"You would have never got this crowd a few years ago. We support Sutton United and their women’s team has just been promoted and hopefully this will get more people down to that as well.
"My Millie was told a little while ago that she wasn’t allowed to be on the boy’s team and she was very cross about it. But they play for a mixed team on Saturdays and a girls’ team on Sundays.”
