England vs Germany: The time is now for Lionesses to win Euro 2022 final, says Sky Sports' Karen Carney

Karen Carney, Sue Smith and Faye White are among the pundits giving their thoughts on the Euro 2022 final; England face eight-time winners Germany on Sunday at Wembley as the Lionesses look to win their first major trophy; kick-off 5pm

Ahead of Sunday's Euro 2022 final between England and Germany, Sky Sports' pundits and reporters give their views on the showpiece final and make their predictions...

Carney: The time is now for England to win

Sky Sports' WSL pundit Karen Carney:

"We didn't win it in 2009 for various reasons and we've been to three semi-finals now, but it's all about timing. If we'd got to finals in 2015, 2017 or 2019, would it have made the impact that it has done this week?

"There have been stepping stones and moments for this moment to happen - the time is now for England to win it.

"All eyes are on us. We've got all the broadcast deals put in place, we're going to smash record-breaking viewing figures, record-breaking attendances, sponsors and all eyes are on the team.

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Jamie Carragher describes Sarina Wiegman as 'a winner' and predicts that the Lionesses will lift the Euro 2022 trophy on Sunday

"If it had happened in 2015, the time difference would have been a factor. In 2017, I don't think we had all eyes on us. In 2019, would the investment have been there to let us play at 5pm on a Sunday for everyone to see? It's put us in a place to do it now and the team needs to be ready to do it."

"The two teams who are in the final are the best two tactical teams, coached and drilled meticulously by two fantastic female coaches. Germany adapt and play against their opponents, but they still have their own unique style and Martina Voss-Tecklenburg is tactically very good.

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"She was a serial winner as a player and to bring it to the coaching element, she's very well-drilled and organised. She has fantastic young players, it's a joy to watch [Lena] Oberdorf live. As a fellow former players, it's a joy to watch [Alexandra] Popp's journey and to see the emotions. You can't help but be attached to that.

Former Lionesses manager Phil Neville has praised the outstanding job done by his successor Sarina Wiegman in leading England to the final of Euro 2022

"But England have got their weapon in Sarina Wiegman. Someone that's tactically outstanding - if teams try and block Keira Walsh, she'll drop Georgia Stanway deeper and get Fran Kirby in the pockets of space. We've also got two fantastic wide players and fantastic wide players to come on from the bench.

"We've got substitutes that come on and take the game to another level. Defensively, we've conceded one goal and Mary Earps has been a revelation. Everyone knows their roles and responsibility and we've got the crowd as well.

"I haven't seen an England team like this before - there's something different about them. We've got a great chance and the subs can make more of an impact than the German subs.

"The two best teams are in the final and I think tactics will be the difference. All the players are fit and strong, technically gifted so for me, the tactics will be crucial on Sunday."

Smith: It's time for a bit of revenge for 2009

Sky Sports' Sue Smith says England manager Sarina Wiegman has instilled her side with a genuine belief that they can win the tournament

Sky Sports News' Sue Smith:

"It's absolutely time for a bit of revenge. It's a 50/50 game. When you look at the strengths of both sides, both are very good defensively. Germany have only conceded once and they can win games in different ways. We saw them against Spain where they had no possession but they always looked like they would win the game. Then they're quite comfortable to have the ball as well so they're a team that can adapt to different things.

"But we can too, that's one of our strengths. We've got a way of playing and Sarina will stick with the same team, but we can change it if we need to and bring players on.

"It's so hard to predict, and you're always nervous when we play Germany, whether it's men's or women's. That's probably because I didn't beat them in my career, I never played a game where I beat Germany, but this group of players and this manager can do it.

"I've got a feeling we're going to sneak it 2-1 in extra time and the crowd will give them that extra bit they need if they need it."

Hooper: If England win, it will be because of togetherness

Germany's Alexandra Popp is well aware of the historic rivalry between the two teams ahead of the Women's Euros final at Wembley on Sunday

Sky Sports' WSL reporter and UEFA England reporter Lynsey Hooper:

"I think the fundamental difference between this England team and others gone by, especially the one from 2009 that also got to the final, is that they focus purely on themselves. They are not going to get distracted by the opposition, they will be respectful, but they know their own strengths.

"Sarina Wiegman has really instilled a composure and a winning mentality that I've not seen in an England team before. I think there have always been international teams that have always been in a better position, whether it be the structure they have in their domestic league, the players they managed to bring through, but there was always something to be daunted by and now there isn't.

"We have a league which is one of the best in the world in my opinion and I think the players in it are too. It's taking a long time to get here but everyone seems to be buying into it now and that's been the difference. Everyone sees that England are up there and one of the contenders and rightly so.

"Inside the camp and being around the England team, they've just been so calm. They're all trying to make sure everyone stays on the level and performs at their highest so just looking at open training sessions and speaking to players afterwards, there has been a real demand of each other in those sessions. They want to get the best out of each other, so competition is high.

"Sarina Wiegman has also consistently chosen the same starting XI and the depth of squad has been even higher. The competition to come off the bench, we've seen that so many times - Alessia Russo in the fantastic goals she's got from off the bench, Ella Toone, Chloe Kelly and Alex Greenwood as well.

Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Philips , former England player Sue Smith and the public show their support for the Lionesses before their Euro 2020 final match against Germany

"I think that's one of the parts of this tournament that's been so enjoyable, to see they are so together. It's not about the individual, they just wanted to bring out the best in each other. Sometimes you think ahead of the Euros final it is going to be really serious but they are telling little anecdotes, singing 'Sweet Caroline' to some cameras that I overheard the other day - it's just been brilliant.

"They also get that freedom from Sarina Wiegman - freedom on the pitch, but she's also given them freedom off the pitch. They work really hard, they plan meticulously, everything has been thought about, not just for this tournament, but ever since Sarina came in.

"She has had a plan all along and the backroom staff, when you see how they interact with the players, it is just one massive team and yet behind the scenes, we get a really good vibe. Getting to the final wasn't a surprise from that point of view, I think to go on and win it will be down to the fact they are all in it together, they've got each other's backs and they haven't got carried away. They've kept their feet on the floor.

"Hopefully we will be feeling the impact of this tournament for so long. It feels like a game changer, being a home Euros with the way everyone has got caught up in it.

The Duke of Cambridge, along with his daughter Princess Charlotte, leads the good luck messages for the England Lionesses backed up by Gareth Southgate and the England men's senior team

"It really feels like it's got into the public consciousness, finally we've had front page news as well as back page news, continuous media coverage, fan zones, certainly from the semi-final stage and Wembley is a sell out with more records to be broken.

"I really do hope that will mean we see more people going to WSL games this season, more people watching the coverage, as well supporting these Lionesses at club level, continuing that throughout the year because these major tournaments are brilliant when they come round, but we need to make sure that goes into the league and filters down the pyramid.

"I think we'd love to see better quality of players being scouted and kept at clubs in the Championship and below so that we can feed the WSL rather than just looking for ready-made players, which is part of the issue at the moment with a lack of funding in that area.

"So I think there's going to be a huge impact from this tournament. The Lionesses have done themselves proud, they are certainly role models for a lot of the younger generation now and it's just about capitalising on that. I think all the people in positions of responsibility can now act and have success, which is so exciting."

Marsh: England win, but they must start well

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Sky Sports' senior football journalist Charlotte Marsh:

"This team could be immortalised like the 1966 team that won the World Cup. We're talking about this level of potential impact. We're not going to know the real impact of these Euros for a little while yet - maybe months or years - but the impact on English football and in the UK if they win is massive.

"England have a good mentality because of Sarina Wiegman. She has changed England's complete identity going into this tournament. She has revolutionised the team and bought in this winner's mentality. She's transformed every team she's managed into winners.

"The thing that concerns me is that the start to most of England's Euro 2022 games have been quite slow. It's something we pointed out in the pre-tournament friendlies and if you're not at your best in the first half an hour against Germany, they could score three and they've pretty much won.

"I do think that England will win, but I am concerned that the start needs to be good. Not necessarily scoring - although that would be nice - but just starting well and not allowing Germany to dominate and start finding chances.

Manchester City defender Esme Morgan says the stability introduced by England manager Sarina Weigman has helped them get to the Euro 2022 final

"It is set up in this kind of way where it's either going to break you and Germany will win. Or it's going to be this amazing elation of England winning.

"No matter what happens, it has already been a huge tournament for England. It's one of the best performances I've seen from an England Women's side and we should have a lot of faith in Sarina. As much as we can talk about players, she is the key to this success. I trust her to know what to do, to have a game plan and how to use the talent she's got.

"I know we've seen her be quite repetitive with it, but it's worked. There's a lot to be positive about, and Germany won't be easy - they can of course still win it - but we need to have the faith."

Toloui: England are facing a different beast

Image: Germany are hoping to secure their ninth European title on Sunday

Sky Sports News reporter Anton Toloui:

"The magnitude of what this team has achieved and then can achieve hasn't quite hit home, even though I'm well aware they're in a final. They could completely change the course of football in this country. We could be talking about this for decades to come.

"There are various places this can be won or lost and mentality is a big factor going into this. We talk about the storied rivalry between England and Germany, but England's record quite frankly stinks. Two wins in 27 games is terrible.

"The last win came in February, which is great, but it was against a Germany team missing 14 players through illness and injury in a friendly tournament. Maybe four or five of that Germany XI that started at Wolves in the Arnold Clark Cup will start on Sunday. They didn't have one of the players of the tournament in Alexandra Popp.

Former England goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain says the England team will be full of confidence ahead of their Euro 2022 final against Germany on Sunday

"People say these things don't matter because it's a different team and a different generation, but it just shows how good and dominant Germany are. You already know mentally they're in the right position because the whole culture and DNA of that set-up is a winning mentality. They know what it takes to win.

"England have got a lot of fight in them. As soon as they sense a shift in momentum, they pounce and that's the ruthlessness that we talk about Wiegman instilling in the team. This is just a different beast they're trying to slay, but they're so evenly matched."

White: Final win will be sweeter if England beat Germany

Image: Faye White never beat Germany in her international career

Former England captain Faye White:

"If it had been France, I think I would be a lot more comfortable because I wouldn't have had the history I would've had with Germany, the disappointment over my career and how dominant they've been. But then I remind myself that the current team don't feel like that. When they've played Germany over the last few years, it's been a lot closer.

"Our history is not their history and you see how Sarina approached Sweden. We didn't have a great history against them, but it's the whole thing of 'it's the Germans and they know how to win things'. There is that belief and I think it's meant to be, but there is a little bit of doubt because it's the Germans.

"But it will be so much sweeter as well, it would make all my dreams come true again if they did beat them. I think England have enough in them to be able to. They seem to be loving every challenge that comes their way.

George Russell, Lando Norris, and the British W Series drivers send messages of support to the Lionesses ahead of Sunday's Euro 2022 final

"You feel so much more invested in it, knowing what the players have had to do to get themselves to that point and were in the same shoes as me. The likes of Jill [Scott], Ellen [White], Lucy [Bronze] to an extent, the younger ones have maybe had it a bit easier in terms of a path through centres of excellence and youth groups with England up to the seniors.

"It will make it so sweet if they do win it - it'll be indescribable. It will take me back to 2009 and all those feelings, but hopefully with a better result. The belief they have with Sarina too, that she's been there and done it and has got everything singing from the same hymn sheet.

"They truly believe if they do what she says and approach it in the way she's approached all the other games, they can do something special. They truly believe they are equals and can get the result."

Follow the Euro 2022 final across Sky Sports

Sky Sports News and Sky Sports' digital platforms will be following every step of England's Euro 2022 journey ahead of Sunday's final.

The Sky Sports News Mobile Presentation bus will bring you all the best guests and analysis outside Wembley, with the likes of Karen Carney, Sue Smith, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk and Laura Bassett offering their expert insight.

Across SkySports.com, the Sky Sports App and on social media, we'll have all the big moments covered with our previews, features, reports, analysis, plus the the Sky Sports Women's Euros podcast with Sky Sports' senior football journalist Charlotte Marsh and Sky Sports News reporter Anton Toloui.

And if you're new to the England squad, don't worry - here's our guide to meeting the Lionesses.

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