England's Lionesses return to heroes' welcome after Euro 2025 glory

Japan Today

5 days ago

England fans wait to welcome the Lionesses at Southend airport
soccer
By John WEAVER
England's Lionesses returned to a heroes' welcome on Monday, less than 24 hours after their dramatic penalty-shootout victory against world champions Spain in the Euro 2025 final.
Chloe Kelly converted the decisive spot-kick in the Swiss city of Basel as Sarina Wiegman's team successfully defended the European women's crown they won at Wembley in 2022.
Supporters, many of whom were dressed in England kits and holding flags, cheered as they waited outside Southend airport, about 40 miles (64 kilometres) east of London.
In a post on X, the team shared a photo of the trophy draped in an England flag on a seat on the plane, which had "Home" painted in red letters on its side.
The aircraft was welcomed with a water salute from two fire engines after landing. Captain Leah Williamson and manager Wiegman were the first off, with the skipper proudly holding the trophy.
Among the waiting supporters were twins Poppy and Daisy Macdonald, 11, who were holding a sign asking for a photo with star striker Alessia Russo.
"We're so proud. They've won it two times in a row and they've worked so hard for it," said Poppy. "They've had a lot of injuries and setbacks but they've done really well."
The Lionesses will next be whisked straight to 10 Downing Street, the working home of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
An open-top bus parade will follow on Tuesday, culminating in a celebration in front of Buckingham Palace.
Victory in Switzerland was sweet revenge for Wiegman's defending champions, who suffered bitter defeat against the same opponents in the World Cup final two years ago.
King Charles III said the team had the royal family's "warmest appreciation and admiration" following their victory, adding: "The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can."
Starmer also hailed the triumph, saying: "The Lionesses have once again captured the hearts of the nation."
The Downing Street reception will hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock.
Red-and-white St George's flags were hanging around the famous black door ahead of the team's arrival later on Monday from a rainy Zurich.
Victory in Switzerland on Sunday capped a remarkable tournament packed with late drama for England.
Wiegman's team were slow out of the blocks, losing their first match against France, before comfortable wins over the Netherlands and Wales in the group phase.
They came back from 2-0 down against Sweden in the quarter-finals before winning on penalties, and sealed their spot in Sunday's final with a last-gasp extra-time win over Italy.
The defending champions again fell behind against Spain on Sunday but Russo cancelled out Mariona Caldentey's first-half opener and neither side could find a winner by the end of extra time.
Two penalty saves by player-of-the-match Hannah Hampton and Salma Paralluelo's miss set the stage for Kelly, who also scored the winner against Germany in the 2022 final.
In total, the Lionesses led for fewer than five minutes across the entire Euros knockout stage.
"I must admit that this is the most chaotic and ridiculous tournament we have played," said Wiegman.
"The players say we can win by any means, and we just never, ever give up."
The Dutch coach, who has now won three European Championship crowns in a row, having led the Netherlands to victory in 2017, said she hoped England's win would boost women's football across the globe.
"How I've experienced this tournament is that the level went up again, the intensity of the games went through the roof," she said. "That's what we've seen.
"We've seen it in the games, but also in the data we have. I think this tournament broke every record again and that's great, and I hope that that will boost the women's game everywhere."
© 2025 AFP