After more than three weeks of intense competition, it all comes down to this. England will be hosting Germany at Wembley for the 2022 Euro final (Watch LIVE, starting at 11:30 a.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+) and one team will lift the trophy.
England and Germany came into this tournament on different ends of the spectrum -- England were considered favourites, a team that has been on the rise since Sarina Wiegman took charge last year, while Germany were suspected to be a team of former glory on a backslide. Well, England proved everyone right and Germany proved everyone wrong.
Both sides have been sensational, with England outscoring their opponents thus far 20-1 and Germany 13-1. So, who is going to win the 2022 Women's Euro? And how are they going to win it? We turned to ESPN writers Kathleen McNamee, Tom Hamilton, Sophie Lawson and Julien Laurens, who have been covering the tournament in England, to get their predictions.
How much does home field impact the final? Will hosts England have more pressure or more momentum?
McNamee: We saw in the opening game that England did let the pressure get to them slightly on the big stage of Old Trafford. Since then, they've arguably found their feet far more but a Euro final is a different kettle of fish so I wouldn't be surprised if it takes them a while to settle into the game.
I do think the home crowd makes a difference, especially in those tougher moments. When England went down against Spain, it was the crowd that really rallied them on. I have been critical of how much England have celebrated and let themselves enjoy the moment in early parts of the competition, but it also doesn't seem to have affected how they play, so maybe this is a team who have found a way to balance it all. If they can harness their nerves and the crowd energy in the right way, they will have an advantage over Germany.
Hamilton: Leah Williamson has frequently said "pressure is a privilege" throughout this tournament, and that mantra will be tested come Sunday. England as a team have been talking throughout about writing their own spot in history, and that thought, along with inspiring the country, has been a driving force behind this campaign.
But Sunday will offer the firmest test yet of the strength of this group's conviction in the messages they have been conveying throughout. Home advantage will be huge come Sunday. Some teams may find it intimidating and stage-fright inducing, but you feel this England team -- who played in front of a packed Old Trafford in their opener against Austria -- will use it as an advantage. The England support will far outweigh those supporting Germany and you feel that will manifest into motivation rather than a burden.
Lawson: I would say that England have handled the crowds well at this tournament and, once they get over the initial wobbles at Old Trafford, have leaned into the atmosphere the supporters have begun to cultivate following each win. It's also worth noting that this is a team that has the benefit of having played at Wembley in the last year, so the home pressure shouldn't really be any more than it has been.
For me, the 90,000-odd fans at Wembley on Sunday, wholly expected to be a partisan bunch, will end up being the cliched 12th player for the Lionesses and could end up being the biggest hurdle for the Germans. For England, the pressure will come from the very fact it's a final, which is uncharted territory for the players even if they have been building up a real head of steam.
Laurens: When you know that only three of the last eleven winners of a big competition (either Euros or World Cup) have done it on home soil (Netherlands in 2017, Germany in 2001, USA in 1999), you could be led to think that there is no such thing of a home advantage. You would be wrong.
You don't always win it because you are organising it but being the hosts, having your home support, being in your home country, having your family near you is massive. And when you usually get to the final of "your" tournament, you win it! England will only feel positive pressure going into this final. They have great confidence and momentum. The whole country will be behind them and all they will think about is finally bring football home. It is a unique chance and they are ready for it.
- Watch LIVE: Euros final (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. ET)
- Need ESPN? Sign up & get instant access
- Euro 2022: Daily guide to coverage, fixtures, more
Key player for Germany?
McNamee: It is hard to look past what captain Alex Popp has done for Germany -- and herself -- in this tournament. It is remarkable that this is only her first Euro tournament and we are incredibly fortunate to get to see her on this stage. She has overcome some of the toughest injuries in the game, but you wouldn't know it when you watch her play.
Of Germany's 13 goals in the tournament so far, she has scored six and is tied with Beth Mead for the Golden Boot. Those six goals come from just 17 shots while the entire Germany squad has seven goals from 75 shots. The fact she has scored 46% of their goals in this tournament is ridiculous and also means she will be a prime target for England to try and mark out of the game. However, she has seen a lot of success with Svenja Huth crossing the ball into her, and if they can make that partnership click then it could be Germany's year (once again).