A tale of two goalkeepers
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The Independent
13 minutes ago
- The Independent
Lauren James injury latest as England provide update on ‘scare' ahead of Euro 2025 final
England forward Lauren James is set to be available for the Euro 2025 final against Spain after recovering from an ankle injury. James was forced off at half-time during England's semi-final win over Italy but has trained in the days before the final and is set to be fit. Sarina Wiegman expects to have all 23 players available for selection, should they come through their final recovery, including James. 'We had 23 players on the pitch today and everyone came through, so if everyone recovers well then we have 23 players available for tomorrow,' Wiegman said. 'I think we have many players that can impact, and we know that (James) can have an impact too, so that will be nice.' James played a key part in England's 1-0 win over the world champions Spain at Wembley in February - the last time Spain lost a match. 'Lauren brings something slightly different,' Leah Williamson said. 'Just like the others, so obviously having that available is best-case scenario for us.' Williamson has recovered from her own ankle injury and is set to captain England in the final after missing out of the 2023 World Cup, where the Lionesses lost 1-0 to Spain in Sydney. 'I can speak for every single member of the squad when I say we will play as long as we get the green light, we would play through absolutely anything to be involved at this stage,' Williamson said. 'My ankle is great. My mum actually rolled her ankle a couple of days ago, so she's taken all the attention away from me now. But no, I had a scare. Obviously I want to be involved, and I want to be available to help the team any way they need me.' Williamson said it was 'awful' to miss out on the last World Cup and admitted she felt 'useless' watching England in the final against Spain. 'That probably bothered me the most,' Williamson said. 'Of course, I'm very happy with that,' Wiegman said when asked about Williamson's availability as captain. 'I am very happy that we have 23 players available tomorrow and yeah, Leah has a big role in the team, so it's really nice to have her on the pitch.'
The Independent
13 minutes ago
- The Independent
England captain Leah Williamson delivers powerful message ahead of Euro 2025 final
England captain Leah Williamson said the Lionesses are determined to not be a 'flash in the pan' and 'continue their legacy' as game-changers as they prepare to face world champions Spain in the Euro 2025 final in Basel. The Lionesses have reached a third consecutive major tournament final and will defend the European title won at Wembley three years ago against a Spain team who defeated them in the World Cup final in 2023. Sarina Wiegman 's side have the opportunity to be the first English team to win a major title on foreign soil and Williamson, who was also captain for their historic success at Euro 2022 but then missed the World Cup through injury, said the Lionesses are motivated to add to their story. 'You don't want to be a flash in the pan, a memory. When we spoke before 2022, we said it was the start of something and we are still trying to play our role in that as well,' Williamson said. 'Being here and being on this stage, we know how powerful that is and I hope it continues to grow. I hope the respect for the women's game, the respect for women and women's sport continues and we can try our best to continue to elevate that. 'The beautiful thing about 2022 was that I'm not sure any of us will ever be a part of something like that again in terms of the change, the story and journey. "Being away from home is special in a different way. You go out to represent your country somewhere else and the weight of that is important to consider. It sometimes adds a little extra. "The history on the line, it seems [when] this team enters a new year there's so much to be done and could be done and I think it's a real privileged time to be part of this team. 'The opportunity to be the first this and first that is a big motivator but more because we know what it does for women's football and continues the legacy that we've already started." Spain defeated England 1-0 in the World Cup final two years ago but Williamson disagreed with the idea that the Lionesses were underdogs against the world champions, who are aiming to win the Euros for the first time. 'I think tomorrow we play a game against the world champions who continue to prove themselves over and over in the way they play football,' Williamson said. 'They are fantastic footballing team and they are the best at what they do and we're very much aware of that. 'We think we're pretty good in areas as well. We need to be at our best to beat Spain. I think they need to be at their best to beat us too. There is a lot of respect between the two teams. I would be hesitant to say there's an underdog in this scenario. 'Ultimately we're going against the world champions tomorrow and that's not an easy job. We will prepare ourselves as best we can for that challenge.' England reached the Euro 2025 final after requiring miraculous escapes against Sweden in the quarter-finals and Italy in the semi-finals and Williamson said England could not afford to go into the final afraid of defeat. 'We focus on being the best people we can to each other, performing the best that we can and hopefully that gives you the result you want,' Williamson said. 'But definitely not fearful of losing because you do expend energy in ways you don't want to." Wiegman confirmed England have all 23 players available for the final, including Lauren James - who has recovered from an ankle injury to be in contention. 'We had 23 players on the pitch today and everyone came through so if everyone recovers well then we have 23 players available for tomorrow,' Wiegman said. 'We have many players that can impact and we know [James] can have an impact so that will be nice.' 'I would just echo what Sarina says, we have a team of talented players,' Williamson added. 'We all bring something slightly different just like the others - obviously having [James] available is best case scenario for us.'
Daily Mirror
14 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Leah Williamson makes 'no fear' pledge with England's Lionesses on verge of history
Leah Williamson's message remains the same as she aims to captain England to a second straight European Championships title with victory over Spain in Basel on Sunday England captain Leah Williamson insists the Lionesses have to go into today's Euro 2025 final with no fear - just as they did when they won it all in 2022. 'There's a lovely quote that I like and it's: 'Nobody wins afraid of losing',' Williamson said in the last Euros after an 8-0 win over Norway. England took inspiration from that victory and went all the way on home soil, beating Germany in the final at Wembley, and the mentality hasn't changed as they chase back-to-back triumphs. 'That's the main thing. If you're fearful of losing, even if you win, do you enjoy that experience, do you fully take it in?' Williamson asked. 'Do you give everything that you have? Or are you expending energy in the wrong way? 'I think this team is so task-focused that whatever is in our way, we will try to overcome that together. I don't think we're a team fearful of losing. Anything can happen in football – there is so much out of your control. 'We focus on being the best people we can to each other, performing the best that we can and hopefully that gives you the result you want. But definitely not fearful of losing because you do expend energy in ways you don't want to." England already know they can beat Spain, having won 1-0 Wembley earlier in the year before suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat to the same opponents in June. The teams also famously met in the 2023 World Cup final, with Spain winning 1-0 on that occasion through an Olga Carmona goal. All that could make for a tight encounter, and manager Sarina Wiegman recognises her team needs to be in top gear. 'We've played each other a lot over the last couple of years. You always have learnings,' Wiegman said. 'They will have learned from us in the games we've played. [The final] is a new situation so hopefully we can exploit some of the weaknesses they have too.' It's a third straight major tournament final for England, and a fifth in a row for Wiegman including Euros and World Cup runs with the Netherlands. There has almost been an expectation that the Lionesses will be there or thereabouts, but that doesn't make this year's run any less of an achievement in Wiegman's eyes. 'I think every tournament, of course, you want to perform, and there's expectations, but you also have expectations for yourself,' the manager said. 'I just know that going into a final is already very, very special. Making the final, there's only two teams that can make the final. 'So if you talk about pressure, that's not really a pressure, it's very special. And when you go to a final, you really want to win it, too. So that's how I mean this. We're happy that we're in the final, and really want to win it and do everything to make that happen.'
