Latest news with #FIFABest
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
New-look Lionesses head to Switzerland looking to conquer Europe once again
The Lionesses are tasked with defending their first major title at this summer's European Championship, having lifted the trophy at Wembley and transformed women's football across the country. But four of Sarina Wiegman's unchanged starting line-up from 2022 have now retired. Ellen White hung up her boots shortly after, then Rachel Daly retired from international football in 2024. FIFA Best and Sports Personality of the Year-winning goalkeeper Mary Earps shockingly called time on her England career late last month, quickly followed by attacking midfielder Fran Kirby. Add an announcement from World Cup captain Millie Bright, who made herself unavailable for selection in order to address her physical and mental health, and some started to wonder if this could be a summer of struggle for England. But the Lionesses have brushed aside that speculation, insisting once again this is a 'new England' ahead of their title defence. Arsenal striker Russo has a bigger role to play this summer (Bradley Collyer/PA) While many of Wiegman's 13 2022 returnees – like Arsenal striker Alessia Russo and Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton – have significantly stepped up in responsibility, seven major tournament newcomers will also be looking to make their mark. Aggie Beever-Jones has enjoyed a breakout season at Chelsea, last month completing a hat-trick on her Wembley debut for England, while 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang – who has returned to Arsenal after a Brighton loan spell – scored 41 seconds into her maiden senior international appearance in April. Stalwarts like Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze – heading into her seventh major tournament and fourth consecutive Euros – will provide the experience. And while England may not be able to replicate the magic of that maiden trophy on home soil, winning one away from home would be another historic achievement. Wales have qualified for their first major tournament (Nick Potts/PA) Wales, meanwhile, qualified for their first major tournament after beating the Republic of Ireland in a dramatic 2-1 second-leg victory to win their play-off 3-2 on aggregate. Boss Rhian Wilkinson has used Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Wales' highest peak, as a metaphor for their mission in Switzerland. Wales are the lowest-ranked team in the Euros, drawn in a very difficult group with holders England, 2017 winners the Netherlands and 2022 semi-finalists France, but Wilkinson has insisted her side are not simply just happy to be included. CARFAN CYMRU 🏴 On the plane to #WEURO2025! ✈️🇨🇭 — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) June 19, 2025 Speaking from the top of Yr Wyddfa, she said: 'As we've moved towards the Euros we've talked about the summit, the Everest part of it. That something is impossible until it isn't. 'Outside Wales people can think whatever they want. 'Our goal is to show up and deliver to the best of our ability. I am sure people will be looking up Wales on a map very soon.'
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
New-look Lionesses head to Switzerland looking to conquer Europe once again
The Lionesses are tasked with defending their first major title at this summer's European Championship, having lifted the trophy at Wembley and transformed women's football across the country. But four of Sarina Wiegman's unchanged starting line-up from 2022 have now retired. Ellen White hung up her boots shortly after, then Rachel Daly retired from international football in 2024. FIFA Best and Sports Personality of the Year-winning goalkeeper Mary Earps shockingly called time on her England career late last month, quickly followed by attacking midfielder Fran Kirby. Add an announcement from World Cup captain Millie Bright, who made herself unavailable for selection in order to address her physical and mental health, and some started to wonder if this could be a summer of struggle for England. But the Lionesses have brushed aside that speculation, insisting once again this is a 'new England' ahead of their title defence. Arsenal striker Russo has a bigger role to play this summer (Bradley Collyer/PA) While many of Wiegman's 13 2022 returnees – like Arsenal striker Alessia Russo and Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton – have significantly stepped up in responsibility, seven major tournament newcomers will also be looking to make their mark. Aggie Beever-Jones has enjoyed a breakout season at Chelsea, last month completing a hat-trick on her Wembley debut for England, while 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang – who has returned to Arsenal after a Brighton loan spell – scored 41 seconds into her maiden senior international appearance in April. Stalwarts like Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze – heading into her seventh major tournament and fourth consecutive Euros – will provide the experience. And while England may not be able to replicate the magic of that maiden trophy on home soil, winning one away from home would be another historic achievement. Wales have qualified for their first major tournament (Nick Potts/PA) Wales, meanwhile, qualified for their first major tournament after beating the Republic of Ireland in a dramatic 2-1 second-leg victory to win their play-off 3-2 on aggregate. Boss Rhian Wilkinson has used Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Wales' highest peak, as a metaphor for their mission in Switzerland. Wales are the lowest-ranked team in the Euros, drawn in a very difficult group with holders England, 2017 winners the Netherlands and 2022 semi-finalists France, but Wilkinson has insisted her side are not simply just happy to be included. CARFAN CYMRU 🏴 On the plane to #WEURO2025! ✈️🇨🇭 — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) June 19, 2025 Speaking from the top of Yr Wyddfa, she said: 'As we've moved towards the Euros we've talked about the summit, the Everest part of it. That something is impossible until it isn't. 'Outside Wales people can think whatever they want. 'Our goal is to show up and deliver to the best of our ability. I am sure people will be looking up Wales on a map very soon.'
North Wales Chronicle
20-06-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton hopes to ‘live up to the legacy' of Mary Earps
Earps was instrumental in inspiring the Lionesses to their first major trophy on home turf in 2022, but had been slipping in boss Sarina Wiegman's favour behind 24-year-old Chelsea shot-stopper Hampton before announcing she would be stepping away from international football last month. Hampton felt her predecessor did not deserve the 'scrutiny' she experienced in the aftermath, but conceded she was 'not expecting' a reply to a congratulatory text she sent Earps, 32, after she made her shock decision public. living out the dream of a little girl from the Midlands who never stopped believing. proud to be representing my country at another major tournament🏴 — Hannah Hampton (@hannahhampton_) June 5, 2025 'We're going to miss her as a person here,' Hampton said. 'She's a big personality in this team and she glued us all together at times when we needed (her) to. 'So, I think it's been difficult for everyone to come to terms with what her decision is, but we have to respect that. And now I've got to just go and live up to her legacy. I'll give it my best shot for sure.' In April, Wiegman confirmed the younger keeper was 'a little bit ahead' of two-time FIFA Best winner Earps. 'First of all we have to obviously respect what (Earps') decision is,' said Hampton. 'I think there's been quite a bit of scrutiny that she probably doesn't deserve with everything that she's achieved in the game and obviously (she's) put women's goalkeeping on the map for the younger generation, aspiring to now be a goalkeeper. 'It was never really a thing and Mary's changed that. There's so many more young boys and girls taking part in goalkeeping, which was never the case when I was growing up. 'I think I've done everything I need to do. I've sent her a text and I congratulated her on a very successful international career and I think that's all I really can do. 'I don't think there's anything else and I'm not expecting anything back. She's been an unbelievable player.' Hampton has steadily risen up the ranks for both club and country since joining Chelsea from Aston Villa in 2023. And ahead of England's Euros defence – which begins against France on July 5, she added: 'I think of it as just playing another game of football. 'There's not really much pressure that you can put on yourself. We're here as a big team. Mary Earps has today announced her decision to retire from international football with immediate effect. The decision marks the end of a memorable eight-year international career. ❤️ 🏴 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) May 27, 2025 'You'll get through the games as a big team, whether that was me starting or me on the sidelines supporting – you knew what your role was going to be for the whole of the summer. 'Just getting that bit of clarity already helps you prepare for whatever your role is. My role is different this time around compared to the last tournaments, but it's not going to change my mindset. 'I'm there to enjoy myself, do the nation proud with all the girls and get memories. I remember all the memories from the last World Cup and Euros and I cherish every single one of them, I just want to keep repeating that.'
South Wales Guardian
20-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton hopes to ‘live up to the legacy' of Mary Earps
Earps was instrumental in inspiring the Lionesses to their first major trophy on home turf in 2022, but had been slipping in boss Sarina Wiegman's favour behind 24-year-old Chelsea shot-stopper Hampton before announcing she would be stepping away from international football last month. Hampton felt her predecessor did not deserve the 'scrutiny' she experienced in the aftermath, but conceded she was 'not expecting' a reply to a congratulatory text she sent Earps, 32, after she made her shock decision public. living out the dream of a little girl from the Midlands who never stopped believing. proud to be representing my country at another major tournament🏴 — Hannah Hampton (@hannahhampton_) June 5, 2025 'We're going to miss her as a person here,' Hampton said. 'She's a big personality in this team and she glued us all together at times when we needed (her) to. 'So, I think it's been difficult for everyone to come to terms with what her decision is, but we have to respect that. And now I've got to just go and live up to her legacy. I'll give it my best shot for sure.' In April, Wiegman confirmed the younger keeper was 'a little bit ahead' of two-time FIFA Best winner Earps. 'First of all we have to obviously respect what (Earps') decision is,' said Hampton. 'I think there's been quite a bit of scrutiny that she probably doesn't deserve with everything that she's achieved in the game and obviously (she's) put women's goalkeeping on the map for the younger generation, aspiring to now be a goalkeeper. 'It was never really a thing and Mary's changed that. There's so many more young boys and girls taking part in goalkeeping, which was never the case when I was growing up. 'I think I've done everything I need to do. I've sent her a text and I congratulated her on a very successful international career and I think that's all I really can do. 'I don't think there's anything else and I'm not expecting anything back. She's been an unbelievable player.' Hampton has steadily risen up the ranks for both club and country since joining Chelsea from Aston Villa in 2023. And ahead of England's Euros defence – which begins against France on July 5, she added: 'I think of it as just playing another game of football. 'There's not really much pressure that you can put on yourself. We're here as a big team. Mary Earps has today announced her decision to retire from international football with immediate effect. The decision marks the end of a memorable eight-year international career. ❤️ 🏴 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) May 27, 2025 'You'll get through the games as a big team, whether that was me starting or me on the sidelines supporting – you knew what your role was going to be for the whole of the summer. 'Just getting that bit of clarity already helps you prepare for whatever your role is. My role is different this time around compared to the last tournaments, but it's not going to change my mindset. 'I'm there to enjoy myself, do the nation proud with all the girls and get memories. I remember all the memories from the last World Cup and Euros and I cherish every single one of them, I just want to keep repeating that.'
Leader Live
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton hopes to ‘live up to the legacy' of Mary Earps
Earps was instrumental in inspiring the Lionesses to their first major trophy on home turf in 2022, but had been slipping in boss Sarina Wiegman's favour behind 24-year-old Chelsea shot-stopper Hampton before announcing she would be stepping away from international football last month. Hampton felt her predecessor did not deserve the 'scrutiny' she experienced in the aftermath, but conceded she was 'not expecting' a reply to a congratulatory text she sent Earps, 32, after she made her shock decision public. living out the dream of a little girl from the Midlands who never stopped believing. proud to be representing my country at another major tournament🏴 — Hannah Hampton (@hannahhampton_) June 5, 2025 'We're going to miss her as a person here,' Hampton said. 'She's a big personality in this team and she glued us all together at times when we needed (her) to. 'So, I think it's been difficult for everyone to come to terms with what her decision is, but we have to respect that. And now I've got to just go and live up to her legacy. I'll give it my best shot for sure.' In April, Wiegman confirmed the younger keeper was 'a little bit ahead' of two-time FIFA Best winner Earps. 'First of all we have to obviously respect what (Earps') decision is,' said Hampton. 'I think there's been quite a bit of scrutiny that she probably doesn't deserve with everything that she's achieved in the game and obviously (she's) put women's goalkeeping on the map for the younger generation, aspiring to now be a goalkeeper. 'It was never really a thing and Mary's changed that. There's so many more young boys and girls taking part in goalkeeping, which was never the case when I was growing up. 'I think I've done everything I need to do. I've sent her a text and I congratulated her on a very successful international career and I think that's all I really can do. 'I don't think there's anything else and I'm not expecting anything back. She's been an unbelievable player.' Hampton has steadily risen up the ranks for both club and country since joining Chelsea from Aston Villa in 2023. And ahead of England's Euros defence – which begins against France on July 5, she added: 'I think of it as just playing another game of football. 'There's not really much pressure that you can put on yourself. We're here as a big team. Mary Earps has today announced her decision to retire from international football with immediate effect. The decision marks the end of a memorable eight-year international career. ❤️ 🏴 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) May 27, 2025 'You'll get through the games as a big team, whether that was me starting or me on the sidelines supporting – you knew what your role was going to be for the whole of the summer. 'Just getting that bit of clarity already helps you prepare for whatever your role is. My role is different this time around compared to the last tournaments, but it's not going to change my mindset. 'I'm there to enjoy myself, do the nation proud with all the girls and get memories. I remember all the memories from the last World Cup and Euros and I cherish every single one of them, I just want to keep repeating that.'
