logo
England have it all stacked in their favour, the truth is anything but victory for Sarina Wiegman's side would be a calamity, writes IAN HERBERT

England have it all stacked in their favour, the truth is anything but victory for Sarina Wiegman's side would be a calamity, writes IAN HERBERT

Daily Mail​4 days ago
As if the breathtaking panorama of the Jura Mountains and Mont Blanc were not enough for those touching down in this place, the local airport's promotional videos encourage visitors to head for Jungfraujoch, the granite saddle connecting two Alpine peaks which they call 'top of Europe.'
After a rollercoaster three weeks which have at times felt like riding Geneva's Mont Saleve cable car on a stormy day, Sarina Wiegman 's England will continue their quest for the continent's ultimate peak on Tuesday night.
After the indignity of being knocked senseless by France in the opening game and the rank chaos of their quarter-final against Sweden, including that barely believable shoot-out, Wiegman will probably welcome any kind of normality against Italy.
She spoke here on Monday night of how her team were primed and ready for the greater level of intensity which any opponent brings to a tournament semi-final.
The disgraceful social media abuse of defender Jess Carter, which has led the team to withdraw from the gesture of taking the knee, will surely also fortify a team whose spirit in the face of adversity has always been a prime asset. Everyone in the squad 'wants to send a message to the world', in the face of that hate, midfielder Georgia Stanway declared here.
But there is a reality neither of them could admit to. Given the generous route towards the final England have been handed, anything but victory would be a calamity here.
Wiegman, armed with players from the continent's best clubs and its richest league, in the WSL, goes up against a side based almost entirely in the Serie A Femminile. The world rankings — England are fifth, Italy 13th — don't begin to describe the difference in resources.
Wiegman must hope the team who beat a declining Dutch side and the minnows from Wales in the group stage will turn up. But given the inconsistency and vulnerability to counter-attacking pace which was so sorely exposed against France and Sweden, Italy will see a weakness to exploit.
There is no greater emblem of the struggle for order at the back than the fact that Carter, the 27-year-old defender who plays for US side Gotham FC, has taken up three different positions across the rearguard in this tournament.
Left back, where France's Delphine Cascarino punished her in England's opening game. Right-sided centre half, where Sweden's Stina Blackstenius again made life very difficult. And left-sided centre back, after Carter and Leah Williamson swapped positions at the heart of defence in that game.
Wiegman's dilemma is whether to swap Carter for 24-year-old centre back Esme Morgan, who added extra heft when replacing her last Thursday — though the Dutch head coach was typically inscrutable on the topic on Monday night at a press conference in which the predominant theme was not letting those from the social media swamp win.
Many wonder why Maya Le Tissier, the Manchester United centre half who was outstanding last season and is one of the nation's outstanding talents, has not been tried out, but Wiegman sees her as a right back. Wiegman is always compartmentalised in her thinking.
The defence's problems are a response to problems further forward. There was frayed thinking and panic in midfield when each of the two games against decent teams in this tournament started going against England.
We saw softly squandered possession and, against Sweden, confusion over whether the solution lay in taking the game back to them or holding the line and rediscovering a shape.
Wiegman's in-game coaching has a certain predictability, too, despite her indisputably good tournament record. Many of her substitutes arrive on 70 minutes, whatever the circumstances. She seemed to wait too long before making changes to the side that struggled against Sweden.
Changes made between games have done most to give Wiegman a record of never having lost two England games in a row since taking charge in 2021 — though asked if there were lessons learned from the near-exit against Sweden, she implied not. 'I would not say there is one thing we would take over to this game,' she said. Many would challenge that view.
Andrea Soncin's Italy, playing their first semi-final at a major tournament since 1997, have succeeded here by launching direct counter-attacks from a deep defensive line, which they will hope can exploit England's struggle to deal with pace.
Their main goal threat is experienced Juventus striker Cristiana Girelli and Soncin's comments in the Italian media this week suggested he spots weakness in this England team.
'They are not unbeatable,' he said. 'They certainly have a very high-quality squad, especially in attack.'
The Italian papers have been full of the testimonies from members of Soncin's team describing how they can't quite believe they beat Norway in the quarter-finals to make it here, and how they will only be able to process all this when they get back home.
The Italian media like the story of the team adopting British singer Natasha Bedingfield's 'Unwritten' as a team anthem as they have progressed. Soncin certainly isn't ready for home.
The free spirit of the Italians — who frustrated tournament favourites Spain for a long time with by sitting deep, before losing 3-1 in the group stage — perhaps poses another threat for England. Yet the ingredient which did most to get Wiegman's players to the European title of 2022 and the World Cup final a year later is still intact: a depth of indefatigable players capable of arriving from the bench to see them home.
Chloe Kelly, totemic in that legendary final against Germany as she whirled her shirt in the Wembley air in 2022, turned the Sweden game in England's favour and was a de-facto captain from the margins. Michelle Agyemang, Arsenal's 19-year-old forward, was the wildcard, bringing the pace, technical skill and brute physicality which so many in the women's game have been talking about, these past few years.
Agyemang's coaches have been waiting for her to announce her arrival in the British public's consciousness. The next six days, should England get through this semi-final, might just be that moment for her.
The FA seem very certain this team's future resides with Wiegman. It was why they decided to announce before this tournament even started that her future was safe, whatever the outcome here for England. The credibility of that decision is on the line on Tuesday night.
The obstacles standing in the way of England retaining their title — the extremely impressive Spain, or Germany — makes reaching the top of Europe a formidable challenge but after a sometimes unfathomable few weeks, they need at least to earn themselves a shot of it.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Is England vs Spain on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Euro 2025 final for free
Is England vs Spain on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Euro 2025 final for free

The Independent

time14 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Is England vs Spain on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Euro 2025 final for free

England will get their shot at back-to-back European titles after clawing their way to the Euro 2025 final in Switzerland - and they will face familiar opponents on Sunday. Sarina Wiegman 's side produced another miraculous comeback in their last four clash against Italy, with Michelle Agyemang's 96th-minute equaliser saving the Lionesses from the brink of elimination. Chloe Kelly then tucked home her penalty rebound in the dying stages of extra time to book England's place in the final, where they will hope to emulate their Wembley heroics of Euro 2022. Kelly was the hero then, too, scoring the extra time winner in a 2-1 triumph over Germany. And England will take on Spain in a sensational rematch of the 2023 World Cup final after Aitana Bonmati's goal in extra time sent the world champions through to their first European final with a 1-0 victory over Germany in Zurich. Spain are looking to follow their World Cup triumph two years ago, where they beat England 1-0 in Sydney, with a first ever Euros title while the Lionesses will be out for revenge as they defend their title. Here's everything you need to know about the Euro 2025 final. When is the Euro 2025 final? The Euro 2025 final between England and Spain will take place on Sunday 27 July in at St Jakob Park, Basel. While kick-off times for the quarter-finals and semi-finals were 8pm, the final will start at 5pm BST (UK time). What TV channel is it on? Viewers will have a choice between BBC One and ITV 1, with both channels providing live coverage of the final. What is the England team news? Lauren James suffered an ankle injury during England's semi-final win against Italy and was forced off at half-time. The forward was later seen with ice on her ankle and Sarina Wiegman still ' does not know' is she will be available, but said James had returned to the training pitch and will be given as much time as possible to try and recover. If James is unable to feature in the final, Wiegman could decide to promote Chloe Kelly from the bench after her impact against Sweden and Italy. Or if Wiegman prefers to keep Kelly as an impact substitute, Beth Mead could come into the side. The England manager also suggested that Michelle Agyemang will keep to her own impact role, with Alessia Russo set to start up front. England could be unchanged elsewhere. Esme Morgan made her first major tournament start against Italy and is now likely to feature alongside Leah Williamson in defence, after the England captain recovered from her own ankle injury. Hannah Hampton has impressed in goal while Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood will continue as full-backs. England's midfield struggled to move the ball quickly enough against Italy but Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone are set to remain in place. Grace Clinton and Aggie Beever-Jones were used off the bench against Italy and will be among Wiegman's options again late in the game. England possible XI: Hampton; Bronze, Williamson, Morgan, Greenwood; Walsh, Stanway; Mead, Toone, Hemp; Russo What is the Spain team news? Centre-back Laia Aleixandri should return in defence alongside Spain captain Irene Parades after serving a one-game suspension. Spain will field two Ballon d'Or winners in their midfield three, with Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas joined by the equally excellent Patri Guijarro in an all-Barcelona central unit. Cata Coll made a key double-save to rescue Spain at the end of normal time against Germany and will start in goal, with former Manchester United defender Ona Batlle and Olga Carmona - the scorer of Spain's goal in the 1-0 World Cup final win over England - as full-backs. Esther Gonzalez leads the golden boot standings with four goals so far and will remain Spain's No 9, with Claudia Pina - who scored both of Spain's goals in their 2-1 win over England in June - and Arsenal's Mariona Caldentey likely to join her in attack. Salma Paralluelo has struggled for form and fitness at the Euros but could have a say off the bench later on, while Athenea del Castillo has also made an impact off the bench throughout the tournament. Possible Spain XI: Coll; Batlle, Parades, Aleixandri, Carmona; Guijarro, Bonmati, Putellas; Caldentey, Gonzalez, Pina List of previous Euros winners 2022 - England (2-1 a.e.t vs Germany) 2017 - Netherlands (4-2 vs Denmark) 2013 - Germany (1-0 vs Norway) 2009 - Germany (6-2 vs England) 2005 - Germany (3-1 vs Norway) 2001 - Germany (1-0 g.g. vs Sweden) 1997 - Germany (2-0 vs Italy) 1995 - Germany (3-2 vs Sweden) 1993 - Norway (1-0 vs Italy) 1991 - Germany (3-1 a.e.t. vs Norway) 1989 - West Germany (4-1 vs Norway) 1987 - Norway (2-1 vs Sweden) 1984 - Sweden (1-1 vs England, 4-3 on penalties) Euro 2025 route to final

'A different world' - Spain's transformation after World Cup fallout
'A different world' - Spain's transformation after World Cup fallout

BBC News

time15 minutes ago

  • BBC News

'A different world' - Spain's transformation after World Cup fallout

The last time Spain played in the final of a major tournament, it was a watershed moment for the only did they win their first major women's trophy, but the players were about to find themselves at the centre of a sexism of celebrating their historic World Cup victory in 2023, when they defeated England 1-0, Spain's triumph was overshadowed by nearly two years later, La Roja are preparing to play the Lionesses once again in Sunday's Euro 2025 has unfolded in the meantime? And how different has this tournament been for Spain? How did we get here? Just as Spain were getting ready to lift the World Cup trophy, Luis Rubiales - the country's football federation president - kissed striker Jenni Hermoso on the was a kiss that Rubiales said was consensual, but Hermoso said was followed was a storm of criticism, widespread protests and a court case that found Rubiales guilty of sexual said the incident had "stained one of the happiest days" of her the immediate aftermath, 81 players - including all 23 World Cup winners - said they would not play for Spain again while Rubiales was in charge."It was a difficult period for the Spanish players," England midfielder Ella Toone said on Friday."What they did in the World Cup, for that [the Rubiales incident] then to be the main talking point, I think was really tough for them and was something they shouldn't have had to go through." The boycott only ended almost a month later when Spain's football association, the RFEF, promised "profound changes" following a lengthy meeting with players and government officials. 'A different world' Speaking to BBC Sport last month, Amanda Gutierrez - the president of players' union Futpro - explained that the RFEF promised to improve the players' working conditions and provide equal access to the same resources the men's side have those changes been evident at Euro 2025? "It's a different world," Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague said. "The players are saying 'we only have to worry now about playing', so that's completely new."Spain's performances have certainly reflected that attitude as they defeated Portugal, Belgium and Italy by a combined score of 14-3 in the group Tome's side then saw off a stubborn Switzerland side in the quarter-finals, before scoring an extra-time winner against eight-time winners Germany to reach their first European Championship played 120 minutes in their semi-final and played a day later than England, but former midfielder Vicky Losada said their mental resilience will help them overcome their lack of recovery time."Knowing them, straight after the game against Germany they will be thinking about doing anything they can to be ready for this game," Losada told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily."They have 24 hours less to recover but the mental strength of the girls, because of their experience, because of all they have won, is massive."The players on the team are winners. For a lot of them, the only major tournament they are missing is the Euros. They know they have one opportunity."Sara Alcaraz Guiterrez, a reporter for national Spanish radio, said this is the first tournament since the 2023 World Cup where she hasn't had to "speak about the federation and what is happening inside"."The players are more relaxed because they know everyone in Spain is speaking just about the Euros. It's like 'finally'." 'Tome cannot do any better' Former coach Jorge Vilda may have delivered World Cup glory to Spain, but he will be remembered in a negative light by some for his role in their triumphant head coach, who was booed by some fans after the final, had survived a player revolt before the tournament and was viewed as one of Rubiales' closest his side on the touchline was Montse Tome, his assistant coach who became his successor a few weeks after the World Cup were concerns about her appointment, with many viewing it as a continuation of the previous regime, while she had no previous experience as a head Tome at the helm, Spain won the inaugural Women's Nations League in February 2024, but their fourth-place finish five months later at the Paris Olympics was deemed a their journey to the Euro final, and the unity within the squad, seem to have changed perceptions of the former Spain midfielder."She cannot do any better in terms of results," said Balague. "She's not friends with them [the players]. She's not supposed to be either. "You hear her talk and she makes a lot of sense. She's got a clear idea of how to maximize the potential."She's not a representative of the previous regime, but she was present. Even if that's in the back of the mind of anybody, you look around and it's a completely different place. So I don't think there is a lot of hard feelings about where she's been, because she's been quite fair." 'The players want to move on' Not only is Sunday's final in Basel an opportunity for Spain to win their first European crown, but it's also a chance to celebrate achieving a major trophy without a cloud of controversy hanging over them. "It's something external that happened at the time," Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas said."Now we're focused on giving our best to win this title. We're not thinking about celebrations or non-celebrations; we're only thinking about being prepared and doing well so that we can get closer to our goal."The culture within the Spanish camp also appears to have changed drastically from the World Cup in 2023, when they arrived in New Zealand with a divided squad amid a backdrop of unrest around then head coach Vilda."The things have changed," Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati added. "There's a very healthy and united group. We can see that on the pitch. We all agree on this."Spain's Euro 2025 squad includes 11 World-Cup winning players, although Hermoso was not selected by explained: "They want to move on, and it makes sense," "The players I've spoken to, they all have mixed feelings. They [Rubiales and the RFEF] took the celebrations away from them, but they changed our society and the way we think about women's football, and also women in society."They have advanced society. Nobody will give them a trophy for that."Former Lionesses forward Ellen White was part of Sarina Wiegman's side beaten by Spain in the 2023 World Cup final, but said this group of Spanish players deserve their moment in the spotlight."The controversy was so horrible. I felt for the whole team after the World Cup final," White told BBC Radio 5 Live. "They weren't able to celebrate and have that monumental moment."This final brings them the chance to create absolute history. Enjoy it, have nothing else to think about and if they were to win to just bask in the absolute joy of winning a tournament together as a group of individuals. And hopefully the whole of Spain will be celebrating what they have done."They deserve this. They have worked so hard and it would be an absolutely amazing moment for the whole team."

Young Bridgnorth players to operate robot at Women's Euro final
Young Bridgnorth players to operate robot at Women's Euro final

BBC News

time15 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Young Bridgnorth players to operate robot at Women's Euro final

Three girls from a youth football club will remotely operate a robot inside the UEFA Women's Euro final on youngsters from Bridgnorth Spartans in Shropshire will use a laptop to control the roaming device - which is a computer screen on two metal legs - inside St Jakob-Park in Basel for England's game against means they will be able to virtually explore the stadium, interact with players and presenters, and experience the game from the inside."Chloe, Phoebe and Poppy - three of our youth players - have been trained to drive the robot and will be representing the club on one of the biggest stages in women's football," said Anne Johnson, the Spartans' women's football lead. "These kinds of experiences build aspirations, create lasting memories, and show our girls what's possible."The opportunity to use the robot, which is supported by UEFA and provided by French technology company Awabot, came through the Make-a-Wish children's charity, which grants wishes to those who are seriously ill. The charity was running a pilot scheme, with hopes to roll it out in their own girls took part in the project earlier in the tournament, against the Netherlands, Sweden and welcomed players and officials to the grounds, toured dressing rooms, and watched the warm-up, and even spoke to former Lioness Jill Scott, as well as head coach Serena Wiegman."It's been an amazing journey so far, and now we've been invited back for the final," said Ms Johnson. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.

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