Williamson sets sights on further glory after England parade: ‘This story is not done yet'
The England captain and her teammates partied with stars including the soul singer Heather Small and Burna Boy – who danced on stage with the head coach Sarina Wiegman – two days after they beat Spain in Basel to become the first senior England football team to win a major trophy on foreign soil.
After an open-top-bus parade down the Mall, Williamson was visibly moved by the sheer size of the crowd in attendance outside Buckingham Palace. 'I'm in the trenches, I'm holding back tears,' she said. 'I've been crying all the way down the Mall. This is unbelievable. Thank you for coming out.
'My message is, everything we do, obviously we do it for us and our team, but we do it for the country, and we do it for young girls. This job never existed 30, 40 years ago and we're making history every single step. Thank you so much for being with us. Stay with us, this story is not done yet.'
The defender, who also led England to glory at home in 2022, was asked how this victory felt different to their first piece of silverware three years ago and she added: 'There are lots of ways to win a football match and we repeatedly did it the hard way, but I think you can see how much we care about playing for England and how much we love it.
'I don't know, 2022 was a fairytale but this feels really hard-earned. We're very proud of ourselves and we hope you are too.'
The Lionesses lost their first match of the campaign, to France, but beat the Netherlands, Wales, Sweden and Italy on their route to Sunday's final against Spain, which was won 3-1 in a penalty shootout. Williamson added: 'The first game maybe rocked us a little bit, but they're just special people and we love each other, and we've got each other's backs. We had tough moments and nasty things to deal with and still we rise.'
The team's next challenge will be to win a first Women's World Cup, when that event is staged in Brazil in the summer of 2027, a gauntlet that was thrown down to them by King Charles when – in his congratulatory message on Sunday – he asked the team to 'bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can'.
In the meantime, the team's celebrations will continue. Among the other star performers of their run to glory in Switzerland was the goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, playing in a tournament as the No 1 goalkeeper for the first time. She saved two penalties in the final and told the presenter Alex Scott on stage on Tuesday: 'They [my teammates] got me through the whole tournament, when it didn't start off the way I wanted [it] to and they just kept me going. To be standing here with this group of girls is amazing.
Sign up to Moving the Goalposts
No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football
after newsletter promotion
'Don't let people tell you what you can and can't do. If you've got a dream and you really believe it, just go out and do it. I got told many times that I'm not good enough, that I shouldn't be playing football from the start, so just keep doing it and, if it makes you happy, go follow that smile.'
The young player of the tournament award was given to the 19-year-old striker Michelle Agyemang, who scored two crucial equalisers for England in the quarter- and semi-finals. Given a rapturous reception by the central-London crowds, the Arsenal player said: 'It means the world to be. I'm so grateful to be here. It's still surreal. It doesn't even seem real seeing people down there, it seems fake! It's crazy to see what we've done and be here today.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
a few seconds ago
- Daily Record
Jimmy Thelin ready for Aberdeen Europa League challenge as he lifts lid on Arne Slot showdown
The Dons will discover their Europa League opponents in Monday's draw Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin is looking for another Slot at Europe's biggest managerial names. The Dons go into Monday's Europa League play-off draw. The options will be narrowed down before then but potentially Aberdeen could face the likes of Panathinaikos, PAOK, Young Boys, Ferencvaros, Copenhagen, Legia Warsaw or Midtjylland. The Swede said: 'I haven't looked at it yet, let's see. It's impossible to know who it's going to be, but it's going to be exciting to see after the Hearts' game who we're going to play against.' Thelin is no stranger to this sort of arena as he also led Elfsborg into the group stages. It also gave him the opportunity to lock horns with the likes of Liverpool boss Arne Slot, who was at Feyenoord at the time. It was back in 2020 when Elfsborg won 3-1 at home but then lost the second leg of their Europa Conference League 5-0 in the Netherlands to the eventual finalists, who were pipped to the trophy by Roma. Thelin recalled: 'They (Feyenoord) were at their peak. They went to two finals in a row. They were really good against us. We made some mistakes away there, but at home they came with the same team. 'We won 3-1 and it was so close to us actually going 3-0 up from a corner. We hit the post and then the transition after they scored to make it 2-1, so the game died a little bit after that. 'But again, the exposure for the players to play the big games is important. That's how you develop.' It was a major aim of Thelin to get Aberdeen back into Europe. He stated: 'That's the thing, you always want to be better and you want to be that team who plays in Europe. 'Of course, that was one of our big goals last season and it's going to be the same goal this season. 'But now we also have to compete in this European game, so we're just happy to be there and proud of the team from last season. 'Now we have to focus on this season and try to do it again.' Thelin will have some decisions to make as he will have to leave out some of his senior players to fit the criteria. 'Let's see how the squad looks during this time,' Thelin claimed. 'We keep working and let's see. If it happens, it happens, then it's going to be like that. We're always going to try to think about the whole picture. 'We have four competitions. We have the two cups and then the league, of course, and then Europe. Everybody will play an important part, but maybe someone has to be out of the squad.' Aberdeen last made the group stage two years ago and it impacted on their domestic form and cost Barry Robson his job. Thelin knows his squad needs to be competitive on all fronts. He said: 'It's also to be competitive against other teams in Europe, but then come home and keep the passion for the fantastic league you play in and understand these demands all the time. 'The highlight is the difficulty, it's just more the experience of playing games all the time. You don't need to train, it's perfect for everyone. It's just playing games, that's what you want to do.' Aberdeen start their Premiership push away to Hearts tomorrow evening. Thelin is confident his team is primed and ready to go. Thelin added: 'When you have a pre-season you have to be ready. ' You are as good as you are when you start the season then hopefully you can develop and grow during the season. 'We are ready for an exciting game away against Hearts, to play in front of our away supporters. The atmosphere will be good and it is a competitive game so there are lots of positives. We are ready for this game.'
Daily Record
2 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Russell Martin told to walk the talk as Rangers boss joins flops in Hotline firing line
Ryan McDonald takes your calls as Gers fans react to another poor start to the Premiership campaign It was an unwanted hat-trick for Rangers as Russell Martin let rip at his stars after another opening-day calamity. Gers kicked off their title charge by dropping points for the third year running - and Martin didn't hold back as he pointed the finger at his players. The new gaffer's machine-gun post-match interview caught some fans by surprise. But Alan Flett reckons some long-overdue home truths were finally aired: "Great post-match interview from Russell Martin, he told it exactly how it is. "Year after year, we are gifting league titles to an inferior Celtic team, because we have too many players in our squad who are not interested in playing against the likes of Motherwell. "They're right up for the midweek European games, but when the SPFL matches come round, they switch off. This has been going on for far too long and in Russell Martin, I hope we now have a manager who can sort it out." Willie Mercer, Dumfries, emailed: "I have no issue with Russell Martin calling it as it was after Saturday's game. "However, he did not practice what he was preaching about players not putting the effort in and not doing the hard running required and expected of a Rangers player. "When he left Kieran Dowell on the park for the whole match, given the fact he was the biggest culprit of not meeting these standards and was to blame in part for Motherwell's goal. "My advice to Martin is practice what you preach in interviews or guys like Dowell will cost your job." Rick Hart didn't sugarcoat it either: "Motherwell deserved to win on Saturday, they had passion and belief, Rangers had none of it. "In fact, they were rubbish. A couple of decent attacks but they gave the ball away too easily midfield. If this is the new Rangers team, we are in for a long, dismal campaign. "Quick note to Barry Ferguson… when they come and ask you to be the interim manager again, tell them to shove it." Jimmy Mac, Glasgow, fears history is already repeating itself: "Russell Martin is completely out of his depth. How many managers have we had who talk the talk and it ended there? Mirror image, Martin? "The Panathinaikos games were nothing more than luck and if you can't beat Motherwell, then there is no hope of winning the league or cups. You are going to come against better teams in the SPFL. "Martin is playing players out of their natural positions in midfield and one centre forward to try to beat low blocks proves he lacks management skills. "Play two centre forwards to feed off of each other with the attacking and defending midfielders playing in their natural positions or it's goodbye Martin at Christmas." Scott Gowers, Edinburgh, was just as scathing: "Once again, the start of the league campaign and Rangers drop points. Martin promised his own fast-flowing attacking play from the back. "With a set-up playing players out of position and players who have agreed deals elsewhere, I can understand players like Yilmaz being really annoyed and wanting away. "With this style of sloppy defensive passes, the only fast-flowing play will be a Rangers keeper picking the ball out of the net. "Martin is under serious pressure already. The performances against Panathinaikos were very similar and Rangers got lucky. "The Connor Coady situation is a total embarrassment to Rangers and more so the 49ers and the board. "Rangers don't try to kill off games when in the lead and are a total embarrassment under Martin." Steve Macleod, Wokingham, emailed in with a dig and an offer: "Some early free advice for newbie Russell Martin. You'll win nothing with players like Danilo and Dowell and while your tactics will occasionally look pretty, they won't win every week. "If we're to be serious contenders for this year's title, you need a major early rethink. I'm here if you need me." Don't be waiting by the phone… Across the city, Sean McGarvey, Cumbernauld, is already predicting another stroll for the champions: "Howling at the state of 'Martin-ball'. It appears to be no coherent tactics, non-existent full-backs, and a defence that gets ripped every time the other team strings a one-two together. "Happy days for Celtic fans. We will have a field day against this! Motherwell had them on the ropes. This season should be good!" But it's not all rosy in the Parkhead garden either, as Jim Docherty warned: "It has been apparent for a number of years that the Celtic board will not sanction paying exaggerated fees for players, but still want top dollar for their own players. "This is because of the financial constraints of playing in Scotland where you will NEVER compete with other nations and they're happy being top dogs in a poor league." And finally, Charles Maxwell took aim at the fixture schedulers: "Friday night football. Half 5 on a Saturday and half 4 on a Sunday! It's good to see the SFA and SPFL keeping tradition alive. I'm back shift next week. Any chance of a game the back of ten?" Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
The Guardian
28 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Marlie Packer's red card sours England's 97-7 World Cup warmup rout of Spain
England's vice-captain Marlie Packer was 'absolutely gutted' after being sent off in the crushing Women's Rugby World Cup warmup victory over Spain, in which Helena Rowland scored a hat-trick. The veteran back-rower started as captain at Welford Road, with the full-time captain Zoe Aldcroft on the bench, and scored the second of England's 15 tries early on. But she was sent off for a flying second-half clearout on Spain's full-back Clàudia Peña on 61 minutes. The 35-year-old now faces what could be a lengthy ban, potentially disrupting England's preparations for their home tournament, although the head coach, John Mitchell, played down the prospect of altering his squad. 'Obviously absolutely gutted for the team,' Packer said. 'For me, all my focus is on the team. There's a process to be had now and that's all I'll be looking to for the next couple of days. 'How they performed for the next 20 minutes, and the performance they put on … I just said after the game [to the team] I was incredibly proud and very sorry for the incident.' Mitchell said: 'We'll have to suffer the consequences, that's the reality. We understand the process and I certainly won't break our circle. We'll just have to deal with it and get on with it. 'It's unfortunate for Marlie because you can see the intent wasn't there. The game sets high standards in that area and ultimately at the end of the day we're trying to protect players. We'll just take whatever we get on the chin.' Asked if he will change the squad if Packer receives a long ban, Mitchell said: 'I think we might get a couple of weeks. So that's easy to deal with.' A mid-range suspension for the flanker's offence might be as long as six weeks, although England may also expect that to be halved based on her previous good disciplinary record. Packer's dismisal marred a positive performance. The Red Roses were fluent and efficient as they steamrollered their opponents in the first warmup match before the World Cup. They also displayed composure and good decision-making in their biggest ever win against these opponents, qualities that will be paramount for this vastly talented squad when the tournament begins. Peña got Spain on the scoreboard with a sniping second-half finish but aside from that it was a exercise in dogged defending for the visitors, and an afternoon for England to fine-tune attacking combinations. Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion Rowland, starting on the wing for England for the first time, wrapped up her hat-trick four minutes after half time while the prop, Sarah Bern, crossed twice in a dominant individual display that personifed the hosts' superiority. After nine weeks in training camp, including warm-weather practice in Treviso, it was possibly the worst time for Spain to face Mitchell's supremely powerful side, who looked better conditioned than ever. England will be tested more significantly next weekend, when they travel to face France, the final warmup before meeting the USA at the Stadium of Light on 22 August. At the conclusion of the pre-match warmup, England's squad disappeared down the tunnel to a cacophony of support: it was not fans but a group of fellow players doing the cheering. Whatever obstacles may appear in the next two months, team spirit will not be a problem. England tried to move the ball wide early but straight down the middle soon proved more effective. Lucy Packer and Lilli Ives Campion both got hands on the ball before Maddie Feaunati applied a finish for the first try after five minutes, the floodgates officially opening. England's fourth, scored by a flying Jess Breach on the wing after a sweeping move, was the pick of seven tries before the break. Spain did rumble a maul over England's try-line, but were held up by some smart defensive work. Mitchell began to empty his bench after the break, freshening up the front row on 49 minutes, the impressive Hannah Botterman crossing the try-line on 66min. Marlie Packer's red card came for an inexplicably reckless lunge on Pẽna, but eight well-worked second-half tries were some consolation, Megan Jones rounding off the scoring. The vice-captain is left to await her disciplinary fate.
