Latest news with #EuropeanWomenChampionship
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
England arrive at Downing Street to celebrate European Championship success
England have headed to Downing Street for a celebratory reception after returning home to cheering crowds following their European Women's Championship triumph. The Lionesses successfully defended their European crown with a 3-1 penalty shootout victory over Spain in the tournament's showpiece in Basel on Sunday. Alessia Russo cancelled out the opener from Arsenal team-mate Mariona Caldentey and after drawing 1-1 following extra time, an entertaining final ultimately boiled down to penalties. Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made two brilliant saves in the shootout before Chloe Kelly fired home from the spot to ensure England retained their European title. The Lionesses left their team hotel in Zurich on Monday morning with skipper Leah Williamson carefully escorting the trophy to the bus, and after returning to England the team headed for Westminster and a reception hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock. The team arrived just before 7pm, with Number 10 decorated for the occasion with St George's flags draped over windows and bunting along the railings. After almost a month of competition in Switzerland, the team's aeroplane branded with the word 'home' touched down at Southend Airport on Monday afternoon. In a post on X, the team shared a photo of the Euros trophy draped in an England flag on a seat on the plane. Holding the trophy, Williamson was first to step off the plane alongside head coach Sarina Wiegman. Outside of the airport, crowds were lined up to welcome the team and the trophy back home. A homecoming open-top bus parade follows in central London on Tuesday, where there will be a procession along The Mall and the celebration will finish with a staged ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace. A trip to the Palace or Windsor Castle may be on the cards for the winning squad as it is understood possible plans for a reception in the autumn are being explored by royal aides. Defender Jess Carter has not joined her team-mates for the celebrations in London as she has returned to the United States ahead of Gotham FC's NWSL match against the Chicago Stars on Saturday.
The Independent
a day ago
- Sport
- The Independent
England arrive at Downing Street to celebrate European Championship glory
England have headed to Downing Street for a celebratory reception after returning home to cheering crowds following their European Women's Championship triumph. The Lionesses successfully defended their European crown with a 3-1 penalty shootout victory over Spain in the tournament's showpiece in Basel on Sunday. Alessia Russo cancelled out the opener from Arsenal team-mate Mariona Caldentey and after drawing 1-1 following extra time, an entertaining final ultimately boiled down to penalties. Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made two brilliant saves in the shootout before Chloe Kelly fired home from the spot to ensure England retained their European title. The Lionesses left their team hotel in Zurich on Monday morning with skipper Leah Williamson carefully escorting the trophy to the bus, and after returning to England the team headed for Westminster and a reception hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock. The team arrived just before 7pm, with Number 10 decorated for the occasion with St George's flags draped over windows and bunting along the railings. After almost a month of competition in Switzerland, the team's aeroplane branded with the word 'home' touched down at Southend Airport on Monday afternoon. In a post on X, the team shared a photo of the Euros trophy draped in an England flag on a seat on the plane. Holding the trophy, Williamson was first to step off the plane alongside head coach Sarina Wiegman. Outside of the airport, crowds were lined up to welcome the team and the trophy back home. A homecoming open-top bus parade follows in central London on Tuesday, where there will be a procession along The Mall and the celebration will finish with a staged ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace. A trip to the Palace or Windsor Castle may be on the cards for the winning squad as it is understood possible plans for a reception in the autumn are being explored by royal aides. Defender Jess Carter has not joined her team-mates for the celebrations in London as she has returned to the United States ahead of Gotham FC's NWSL match against the Chicago Stars on Saturday.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Euro 2025 final key battles as England seek revenge for Spain's World Cup win
England and Spain will do battle in a second consecutive major final at the European Women's Championship on Sunday. Spain got the better of Sarina Wiegman's side in the World Cup decider two years ago but England will be bidding to retain the trophy they won in 2022. Here, the PA news agency looks at the key contests on the pitch that could decide the match. Alessia Russo v Irene Paredes Spain have not conceded a goal in the knockout stages and have hugely experienced captain Paredes at the centre of their defence. They are undoubtedly a tough nut to crack but Germany showed in the semi-finals that a direct approach can cause them issues. Russo's only goal at the tournament so far came in the big group-stage win over Wales but her workrate and ability to lead the line make her a key player for England whether or not she is on the scoresheet. Paredes will not have fond memories of Russo's pressing in Arsenal's recent Champions League victory against Barcelona. Keira Walsh v Aitana Bonmati The midfield battle is likely to be key to deciding the outcome, and Spain have big hitters in Alexia Putellas and Bonmati, who has won the Ballon d'Or Feminin the last two years. Walsh knows the pair's strengths extremely well having spent two and a half years as team-mates of both at Barcelona. The technical ability of Spain's midfield means it would be a surprise if they do not dominate possession and Walsh may well have to sacrifice her own ball-playing ambitions to a degree to try to be a disruptor and help prevent England's defence coming under too much threat. Leah Williamson v Esther Gonzalez A big concern for Wiegman and England fans will be how shaky the defence has looked at times. While England have managed to dig themselves out of their self-made holes so far, similar generosity against Spain could see them heavily punished. England captain Williamson has a key role to play in marshalling the backline and in trying to blunt the danger of Spain striker Esther Gonzalez. The Gotham FC forward is the tournament's top goalscorer with four, although she has not yet found the net in the knockout stages.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Euro 2025 final key battles as England seek revenge for Spain's World Cup win
England and Spain will do battle in a second consecutive major final at the European Women's Championship on Sunday. Spain got the better of Sarina Wiegman's side in the World Cup decider two years ago but England will be bidding to retain the trophy they won in 2022. Here, the PA news agency looks at the key contests on the pitch that could decide the match. Alessia Russo v Irene Paredes Spain have not conceded a goal in the knockout stages and have hugely experienced captain Paredes at the centre of their defence. They are undoubtedly a tough nut to crack but Germany showed in the semi-finals that a direct approach can cause them issues. Russo's only goal at the tournament so far came in the big group-stage win over Wales but her workrate and ability to lead the line make her a key player for England whether or not she is on the scoresheet. Paredes will not have fond memories of Russo's pressing in Arsenal's recent Champions League victory against Barcelona. Keira Walsh v Aitana Bonmati The midfield battle is likely to be key to deciding the outcome, and Spain have big hitters in Alexia Putellas and Bonmati, who has won the Ballon d'Or Feminin the last two years. Walsh knows the pair's strengths extremely well having spent two and a half years as team-mates of both at Barcelona. The technical ability of Spain's midfield means it would be a surprise if they do not dominate possession and Walsh may well have to sacrifice her own ball-playing ambitions to a degree to try to be a disruptor and help prevent England's defence coming under too much threat. Leah Williamson v Esther Gonzalez A big concern for Wiegman and England fans will be how shaky the defence has looked at times. While England have managed to dig themselves out of their self-made holes so far, similar generosity against Spain could see them heavily punished. England captain Williamson has a key role to play in marshalling the backline and in trying to blunt the danger of Spain striker Esther Gonzalez. The Gotham FC forward is the tournament's top goalscorer with four, although she has not yet found the net in the knockout stages.
Telegraph
7 days ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
Arise, Dame Sarina: Wiegman in line for honour after Lionesses' charge to Euros final
Sarina Wiegman is in line for an honorary damehood if England retain the European Women's Championship and could receive one even if they do not. Leah Williamson may also be handed an upgrade to her OBE if she lifts the trophy in Basel on Sunday, with other members of the squad rewarded with gongs, too. As Telegraph Sport revealed, Wiegman was set to be put forward for an honorary damehood two years ago had the Lionesses won the World Cup. England finished runners-up but captain Millie Bright (OBE), goalkeeper Mary Earps and forward Lauren Hemp (both MBE) all received honours for helping the team reach their first final – and first for a men's or women's team since 1966. Winning Euro 2025 would mean another round of honours for the Lionesses, while their Dutch head coach would have an irresistible case to be made Dame Sarina. Victory would make her the first manager of a senior England team to mastermind two tournament triumphs, and the only one to successfully defend a major title. Even if she lost what would be her fifth successive world or European final, including leading the Lionesses to glory at Euro 2022, she would still boast a better tournament record than anyone to have managed the country's men's or women's sides. That includes Sir Gareth Southgate, whom Telegraph Sport revealed was in line for a knighthood as Euro 2024 approached its climax. Southgate was duly rewarded for services to football in the New Year's Honours list, having quit as men's manager following the tournament. Failure to recognise Wiegman's achievements – whether immediately or when she eventually moves on – could therefore risk provoking a major sexism row. After England won Euro 2022, Wiegman was made CBE on the UK's overseas list with the permission of the Dutch government. Insiders have previously said the same process would be required to make the 55-year-old an honorary dame. It is highly unlikely such a request would be refused. She was previously made a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau for leading her native country to victory at Euro 2017, which she followed up by steering them to the 2019 World Cup final. Williamson, who missed the 2023 World Cup through injury, could expect to be made a CBE if she becomes the first England captain to lift two major trophies. She and the likes of goalkeeper Hannah Hampson – the hero of the Lionesses' quarter-final penalty-shootout triumph – would also be among the favourites to be crowned BBC's Sports Personality of the Year. As with most major footballing triumphs, a victory parade appears certain to be staged if England won Euro 2025, along with receptions for the squad at Buckingham Palace and Downing Street.
