logo
King urges Lionesses to target World Cup glory after ‘great pride' of Euros win

King urges Lionesses to target World Cup glory after ‘great pride' of Euros win

Rhyl Journal5 days ago
England beat world champions Spain 3-1 on penalties in the Euro 2025 final in Basel after a 1-1 draw to defend the title they won three years ago.
Writing a message entitled 'Congratulations England' on the The Royal Family X account, Charles said: 'This brings you, your manager and all your support team my most heartfelt congratulations on winning the Euros 2025.
Congratulations to our valiant @Lionesses! 🦁🦁🦁
A message from The King following the team's victory at the Women's Euros 2025.#WEURO2025 pic.twitter.com/mRBAdeGSOf
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 27, 2025
'For more years than I care to remember, England fans have sung that famous chant 'football's coming home'.
'As you return home with the trophy you won at Wembley three years ago, it is a source of great pride that, through sporting skill and awesome teamwork, the Lionesses have made those words ring true. For this, you have my whole family's warmest appreciation and admiration.
'More than that, though, you have shown through your example over past weeks that there are no setbacks so tough that defeat cannot be transformed into victory, even as the final whistle looms.
'Well done, Lionesses. The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can!'
What a game! @Lionesses, you are the champions of Europe and we couldn't be prouder of the whole team. Enjoy this moment @England. W & Charlotte https://t.co/u6fLQs1jH7
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) July 27, 2025
The Prince of Wales was spotted in the stands applauding and celebrating with those around him – including his daughter Princess Charlotte.
William was among those to heap praise on striker Michelle Agyemang, who was named young player of the tournament.
As the presentation ceremony took place, William exchanged words with Agyemang, appearing to say, 'Well played, fantastic, well done'.
William later wrote on X: 'What a game! @lionesses, you are the champions of Europe and we couldn't be prouder of the whole team.
'Enjoy this moment @england. W & Charlotte.'
Champions!
Congratulations @Lionesses — what a team. What a game. What drama.
You dug deep when it mattered most and you've made the nation proud.
History makers.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 27, 2025
Sir Keir Starmer also offered his congratulations after England's victory in Switzerland.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said: 'Champions! Congratulations @Lionesses – what a team. What a game. What drama.
'You dug deep when it mattered most and you've made the nation proud. History makers.'
Lisa Nandy, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said: 'What an absolutely extraordinary achievement by our Lionesses – once again they have made history and united the country with pride and joy.
'The Lionesses have not just won a tournament – they have inspired millions with their skill, determination and heart. Huge congratulations to Sarina Wiegman, her brilliant squad, and everyone who has supported them on this incredible journey.'
Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham paid tribute to the Lionesses' creating English football history and said a victory parade in London on Tuesday would 'give England fans an opportunity to celebrate with the players'.
He said: 'Our history-making Lionesses are champions of Europe for the second successive time, and have become the first England Senior team in history to win a tournament overseas.
'We are so proud of all of the players, Sarina and the support team who have all been part of this incredible achievement.
'They have all worked unbelievably hard and we know the nation shares our pride. The victory celebration in London on Tuesday will give England fans an opportunity to celebrate with the players, and be part of history.
'We've had amazing support from our fans both in Switzerland and at home throughout the tournament, and we look forward to celebrating together and creating some lifelong memories.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Horse racing tips: Sunday, August 3
Horse racing tips: Sunday, August 3

Telegraph

time3 hours ago

  • Telegraph

Horse racing tips: Sunday, August 3

Ron Wood's selections NAP: Celandine (3.52, Chester) 1pt win @ SP with William Hill ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Other: Arundel (4.12, Yarmouth) 1pt win @ SP with William Hill ⭐⭐⭐ Odds provided by Betfred and correct at the time of writing. Stars denote strength of selection (max 5). If you already have a William Hill account, check out more free bets from the UK's best betting sites, reviewed by our experts 3.52 Chester – Queensferry Stakes (Listed, 6f; Sky Sports Racing) If rain doesn't get into the ground, CELANDINE must go well in this. She won last year's Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York and made a promising return in July when third in a Group 3 contest at the same venue, selected on these pages. Ed Walker's filly travelled really well that day, so much so that she looked to have the speed for 5f and was again selected on these pages for Friday's Group 2 King George Stakes at Goodwood, only to be withdrawn from that race because of the slow ground. Celandine stays at 6f for this race, but Chester is a sharp, turning track, which should suit her, and she's drawn low in stall two. She is entered in three Group 1 races and it will be disappointing if she can't take advantage of this drop in class, just as long as the ground stays on the decent side. Selection: Celandine 1pt win @ SP with William Hill 4.12 Yarmouth – Class 5 Handicap (1m 2f; Sky Sports Racing) The Ed Dunlop-trained ARUNDEL has been progressive since stepping up to this trip and going handicapping, with two seconds either side of a win. His most recent runner-up finish came off a two-month break at Newmarket so it's reasonable to think he can come again for that. Cheekpieces are added and Billy Loughnane is a good booking. Where is William Buick riding on Sunday? Buick is in Germany for their 'Oaks', a Group 1 race for three-year-old fillies in which he rides the Charlie Appleby-trained Spirited Style, who won a Listed race at Newmarket last time out. And what about Ryan Moore? Moore is also in Germany for the same race. He partners the Aidan O'Brien-trained Garden Of Eden, who most recently won the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot. There's little between Garden Of Eden and Spirited Style on the figures and there's a good chance they will be superior to the local runners. Okay, so what time does the German Oaks go off and can I bet on it? The race takes place on Sunday at Dusseldorf (2.40 BST) and yes, bookmakers will be taking bets on it. It's not slated for TV coverage, but one of the racing channels may show it and likewise some bookmakers may stream it live. It will also be live on YouTube. Is there anything else of note on Sunday? Yes, another Group 1 race, the Prix Rothschild, over a mile for fillies and mares aged three-year-olds and upwards, takes place at Deauville in France. It's set for 3.40 BST and will be on Sky Sports Racing. This is a fascinating race, although Moore has opted to ride in Germany rather than partner January (a regular selection on these pages) or Exactly for O'Brien. There's also Matilda, a filly who ran away with the German 2,000 Guineas, defeating male rivals, and has since been switched to France. Sunday's UK and Irish racing Flat Chester (2.10-5.22, Sky Sports Racing) Yarmouth (2.32-5.12, Sky Sports Racing) Mixed (Flat and jumps) Galway (1.50-5.30, Racing TV) Ron Wood 2025 horse racing profit/loss Star ratings explained ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - confident selection ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - strong fancy ⭐⭐⭐ - fair claims ⭐⭐ - tentative choice ⭐ - minimum confidence If you want to find more odds and offers, take a look at our list of the best betting sites and free bets Check out our list of the best casino bonuses in the UK

Captain Monaghan 'emotional' over  Ireland return
Captain Monaghan 'emotional' over  Ireland return

BBC News

time3 hours ago

  • BBC News

Captain Monaghan 'emotional' over Ireland return

Rugby World Cup warm-up: Ireland v ScotlandVenue: Musgrave Park, Cork Date: Saturday, 2 August Kick-off: 14:00 BSTCoverage: Live on BBC iPlayer and website with live text commentary on the website and app Ireland skipper Sam Monaghan says she will "savour every moment" of her return from injury after 13 months on the sidelines. The lock injured her ACL representing her club Gloucester Hartpury in June 2024 before calf and hamstring injuries further delayed her return to action. Now able to see "light at the end of the tunnel", the 32-year-old has been named to start in the second row for Ireland's World Cup warm-up fixture against Scotland in Cork on Saturday. "It was really emotional seeing my name on the teamsheet again, not only for me but for my family, team-mates, everyone that's been on the journey with me, physios, S&Cs," said Monaghan."You build up a hunger. It's kind of like you've been starving for the last 13 months and you finally get your opportunity."I'm sure I'll really savour every moment and just want to do the best I can for the squad around me. They've really looked after me the last year so I'll be extremely excited to get back out on the pitch with them." Monaghan's second row partner on Saturday, Eimear Corri-Fallon, has also struggled with injuries over the past year."Me and Eimear have played together before in Dubai [at the WXV tournament in 2023] and Six Nations so we have that second row connection. "Unfortunately, both of us had a bit of a rough year so we're kind of on the same journey at the minute. It's nice to come back out on the pitch together."Monaghan and Corri-Fallon are not the only returning players to Ireland's panel for what is the first of two warm-up fixtures before the World Cup which begins in England later this Beibhinn Parsons, who broke her leg in December, will also start at Musgrave Park as Scott Bemand's side build towards the tournament where they will be in a pool alongside Japan, Spain and New Zealand. Ireland, however, have already been dealt a series of injury blows with key forwards Dorothy Wall and Erin King ruled out of the World Cup, while 2025 Six Nations Player of the Championship Aoife Wafer is a doubt. "Injuries are always so tough. We've such a strong connection as a group so when we lose someone we really feel it," Monaghan said."On and off the pitch they are such big characters, but they are both working extremely hard and I know how tough a journey it can be."That's high-level sport. It's given the opportunity for someone else to come in and we've had other girls come in and put their hand up and really perform."

Women's Copa America criticised after Euros success
Women's Copa America criticised after Euros success

BBC News

time4 hours ago

  • BBC News

Women's Copa America criticised after Euros success

While this summer's Euro 2025 was marked by record attendances, a smooth operation and memorable performances capped by England's triumph, the women's Copa America has suffered in Brazil and Colombia prepare for Sunday's final, the tournament in Ecuador has come in for criticism for poor organisation, low attendances and below-par Brazil hosting the 2027 World Cup, it was hoped Conmebol would raise its game, and standards, for the Copa America Femenina after similar problems at the Copa Libertadores Femenina in legend and six-time Fifa Player of the Year Marta has been vocal in her criticism, questioning organisers for making teams warm up in confined indoor areas rather than on the spread on social media, before her country's dominant Group B win over Bolivia, of players from both teams warming up side by side in a confined area at the Gonzalo Pozo Ripalda measure was taken to prevent damage to the pitch, which hosted two matches in a day during the group stage, and left the 39-year-old Marta - who retired after the Olympics last year - "saddened by these circumstances".Manchester City's Brazil forward Kerolin reflected on the difference with the Euros as she wrote on her X account: "While at the Euros they are breaking records in technology, we are warming up in a room with a maximum of 20 square metres, smelling of paint." 'Structural issues' at Copa America compared to success of Euros As the Euros soared to greater heights, there were more lows at the Copa totals in Switzerland came to 657,291 - a new record for a women's European Championship - with the average for a game topping 20,000 for the first before England retained their title by toppling world champions Spain in the final, a number of players had praised the tournament's organisation on and off the has not been the case in journalist Julia Belas highlighted "structural issues" at the competition as she told BBC Sport: "The Copa America has been heavily criticised by the players, staff from the teams and the federations, especially because of the structure, the lack of structure, they have provided to the teams participating. "For example, they were only using two stadiums within the group stage, so all of the games were played in only two stadiums and that meant the pitch quality wasn't great. "For two rounds, the players weren't able to warm up on the pitch to try to preserve the quality of the grass. At the same time, you know, just the structural issues that we've seen before in other Conmebol competitions such as the Copa Libertadores." 'Conmebol needs to pick up the pace' South America will host its first women's World Cup in 2027 and it has a lot to live up to after the success of the 2023 competition in Australia and the past two also showed up in their thousands for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations with 150,000 spectators thought to have bought tickets as Nigeria lifted the asked if the Copa America was a good look for the continent, Belas added: "No, not at all. "It is the first time the Women's World Cup is going to South America and, of course, part of the bid was the fact that we have huge stadiums in Brazil that were used for the men's World Cup 11 years ago. "Conmebol really needs to pick up the pace because we've seen such an amazing World Cup happening in Australia. We've seen the Euros in Switzerland drawing 100,000s of fans, even in the Africa Cup of Nations we've seen stadiums with heavily attended games. "In the Copa America, we don't even know the numbers of fans who are at each game. It's difficult to compare with other continents at the moment. With only two years to go to the World Cup, they really need to step it up."BBC Sport approached Conmebol for comment.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store