Latest news with #GeorgiaStanway
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Euro 2025: England team guide – what can we expect from the defending champions?
This England team head into the tournament with the kind of pedigree they have never had previously: reigning European champions and 2023 World Cup finalists. On their day, the Lionesses have the talent, know-how and experience to beat any European side, but their form has been patchy to say the least. Gone is the time when England went on an unbeaten 30-game streak and were a relentless winning machine — but they have proved they can get results in tournament football. Who is the manager? Sarina Wiegman has been in charge of England since September 2021 and signed a contract extension in January 2024, keeping her with the Lionesses until after the 2027 World Cup. Advertisement Known for her directness and honesty with players, the former Netherlands international makes decisions based on what is best for the team. After triumphs with the Netherlands in 2017 and England in 2022, she could become the first manager, in the men's and women's games, to win three Euros titles in a row. How do they play? Wiegman normally uses a 4-2-3-1 out of possession and then, in possession, pushes her box-to-box midfielder up the field to form a 4-3-3. In England's third group game of the 2023 World Cup, however, she showed her flexibility by going to a 3-4-1-2 after Keira Walsh's injury and even maintained that formation on the midfielder's return as England made it to the final. Who are their three most influential players? Walsh and Georgia Stanway are the heart of England's midfield. Walsh is the lynchpin connecting defence and attack and Stanway is the engine. Should they miss a game, England's level would surely drop significantly given the lack of backup options. Advertisement Lauren James brings a sense of unpredictability and her mere presence can trouble opponents. Her two-footedness makes her a versatile option for Wiegman as she can pop up in pockets across the front line. England have depth in the No 10 (attacking midfield) role and in wide areas but no one can replicate James' talent. What is their biggest strength? England field a very strong starting XI with some of the best players in the world. They have leaders on the pitch and a coaching staff off it who have been there and done it. They know what it takes to win. What weakness might other teams be able to exploit? When England start slowly, a habit of late, they make life very difficult for themselves and struggle to get into a rhythm. Their substitutes have been having less impact than at Euro 2022, preventing them from killing the game. Any notable absentees? Millie Bright, Mary Earps and Fran Kirby are all missing for different reasons. Bright, the captain at the 2023 World Cup, withdrew from selection as she was unable to 'give 100 per cent mentally or physically', while Earps and Kirby have retired from international football. Neither would likely have made the starting XI, but the trio leave a notable void in the dressing room, especially in leadership and experience. What is their strongest starting XI? How have they performed over the past 12 months? Great Britain failed to qualify for the 2024 Olympics and a summer off for England's players was seen by some as a blessing in disguise. But they have struggled to string together consecutive convincing performances. Advertisement They have been making errors and losing control of games, including in the 4-3 defeat against Germany in the autumn at Wembley, and away to Belgium in April, when they lost 3-2. That said, they have kept clean sheets against the world's best, with a 0-0 draw against the United States in November and a 1-0 win over reigning world champions Spain in February. Their most fluid performance came at the end of May, when they beat Portugal 6-0. But they could not back up those levels against Spain a few days later, losing 2-1 in early June. What are they expected to achieve at these Euros? England will want another trophy but with such a mixed bag of recent results, it is uncertain which version of this team is going to turn up. Advertisement They do not have the luxury of easing themselves in with a straightforward fixture — they kick off their tournament against France, then face the Netherlands. There is a realistic possibility they do not make the knockout stages. Did you know? England assistant Arjan Veurink will leave the Lionesses to become the Netherlands head coach after the Euros, returning to his homeland. Going the other way, Netherlands assistants Janneke Bijl and Arvid Smit will join Wiegman in England. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. England, Women's Soccer, Women's Euros 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Euro 2025: England team guide – what can we expect from the defending champions?
This England team head into the tournament with the kind of pedigree they have never had previously: reigning European champions and 2023 World Cup finalists. On their day, the Lionesses have the talent, know-how and experience to beat any European side, but their form has been patchy to say the least. Gone is the time when England went on an unbeaten 30-game streak and were a relentless winning machine — but they have proved they can get results in tournament football. Sarina Wiegman has been in charge of England since September 2021 and signed a contract extension in January 2024, keeping her with the Lionesses until after the 2027 World Cup. Known for her directness and honesty with players, the former Netherlands international makes decisions based on what is best for the team. After triumphs with the Netherlands in 2017 and England in 2022, she could become the first manager, in the men's and women's games, to win three Euros titles in a row. Wiegman normally uses a 4-2-3-1 out of possession and then, in possession, pushes her box-to-box midfielder up the field to form a 4-3-3. In England's third group game of the 2023 World Cup, however, she showed her flexibility by going to a 3-4-1-2 after Keira Walsh's injury and even maintained that formation on the midfielder's return as England made it to the final. Walsh and Georgia Stanway are the heart of England's midfield. Walsh is the lynchpin connecting defence and attack and Stanway is the engine. Should they miss a game, England's level would surely drop significantly given the lack of backup options. Lauren James brings a sense of unpredictability and her mere presence can trouble opponents. Her two-footedness makes her a versatile option for Wiegman as she can pop up in pockets across the front line. England have depth in the No 10 (attacking midfield) role and in wide areas but no one can replicate James' talent. England field a very strong starting XI with some of the best players in the world. They have leaders on the pitch and a coaching staff off it who have been there and done it. They know what it takes to win. When England start slowly, a habit of late, they make life very difficult for themselves and struggle to get into a rhythm. Their substitutes have been having less impact than at Euro 2022, preventing them from killing the game. Millie Bright, Mary Earps and Fran Kirby are all missing for different reasons. Bright, the captain at the 2023 World Cup, withdrew from selection as she was unable to 'give 100 per cent mentally or physically', while Earps and Kirby have retired from international football. Neither would likely have made the starting XI, but the trio leave a notable void in the dressing room, especially in leadership and experience. Great Britain failed to qualify for the 2024 Olympics and a summer off for England's players was seen by some as a blessing in disguise. But they have struggled to string together consecutive convincing performances. They have been making errors and losing control of games, including in the 4-3 defeat against Germany in the autumn at Wembley, and away to Belgium in April, when they lost 3-2. That said, they have kept clean sheets against the world's best, with a 0-0 draw against the United States in November and a 1-0 win over reigning world champions Spain in February. Their most fluid performance came at the end of May, when they beat Portugal 6-0. But they could not back up those levels against Spain a few days later, losing 2-1 in early June. England will want another trophy but with such a mixed bag of recent results, it is uncertain which version of this team is going to turn up. They do not have the luxury of easing themselves in with a straightforward fixture — they kick off their tournament against France, then face the Netherlands. There is a realistic possibility they do not make the knockout stages. England assistant Arjan Veurink will leave the Lionesses to become the Netherlands head coach after the Euros, returning to his homeland. Going the other way, Netherlands assistants Janneke Bijl and Arvid Smit will join Wiegman in England.
The Sun
18-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Lioness stars plan to help families with travel costs of following England at 2025 Women's Euros
GEORGIA STANWAY revealed a number of Lioness stars will be putting their hands in their pockets to support their families' Euros travel costs. And the Bayern Munich midfielder expressed gratitude to fans who will be forking out to watch them in the contest in Switzerland. 3 3 Stanway, 26, who won her race to be fit in time for this year's tournament, is among the Lioness aces who have relatives heading to Switzerland to support England. The team will be based in Zurich which is the nation's largest city and one of its most expensive. According to the cost of living database Numbeo the price of a small bottle of water or Coca Cola in Switzerland can range from £2.73 to £4.55 (3.00 to 5.00 Swiss Francs). And a combo meal at a McDonald's fast food restaurant might range from £13.28 to £16.00. Stanway and team-mates Ella Toone, 25, and Lotte Wubben-Moy, 26, hailed England support who will visit Switzerland next month to watch the team. The 77-capped midfielder said: "Even just for flights and hotels, then the cost of living there is extremely high, so we understand the demand it is on fans. "My family can make it (to the Euros) but I'm also aware that Switzerland is a very expensive country. "That's difficult for us as well because we want to help and support as much as possible, even with our own families. "A lot of us are putting our hands in our pockets to make sure that our families can get over there. "We would love to see as many fans as possible and we want to thank them in advance." England centre-back Wubben-Moy added: "A lot of people are willing to go above and beyond to be able to watch us and that's quite inspiring for us." At the 2023 World Cup England players were provided with a sum to support costs of travel for their relatives and loved ones. Players are set to receive a similar amount for this tournament with England aiming to be crowned Euros champions following their 2022 triumph. According to the FA the amount the Lionesses will receive is no less than that allocated to the men's team for the same purpose. Man United ace Toone said: "It will be a bit difficult for families who are staying out for the whole tournament. "But I know I'll always help my family be out there and make memories and make sure they're eating." Stanway, a key figure for England during their 2022 Euros tournament-winning run, made her return to international action last month from a knee injury. The Bayern Munich player underwent surgery in January on a damaged lateral collateral ligament that led to her being sidelined for the rest of this season. Despite fears she could miss the Euros, Stanway returned to England duty featuring in the Lionesses Nations League clashes with Portugal and Spain. Following her injury spell, Stanway insists she feels very ready for the the test England will face against France, Wales and the Netherlands in the group stage. The midfielder added: "I probably feel more ready than if I'd have played a jam packed season. 3 "I've learnt a lot in this process and that the injury wasn't a bad thing to happen to me. "It was my first injury to happen to me after 10 years in professional football, so I've not done too bad. "It kind of gave me that time away from football to learn on the weaknesses in the gym, just to get a completely different mindset."
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Lionesses will 'put hands in pockets' so their families can watch and support them at Euro 2025 - with FA fund not covering Switzerland's 'very expensive' cost of living
England players are contributing their own money to help cover the cost of bringing family members to Switzerland for this summer's Women's European Championship, due to the country's high cost of living. Four Swiss cities – Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Bern – ranked among the top 10 most expensive cities globally last year, behind only Hong Kong and Singapore. The average price for a pint of milk is as high as £1.67. The FA are providing England players with a financial contribution to support the travel and accommodation expenses of their families. The sum is comparable to what was provided for the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia, and it matches the amount given to the men's team. The average salary in the Women's Super League (WSL) was reported by the BBC in 2022 to be £47,000 per year. A comparable figure for a Premier League player was £4.7 million annually – 100 times more. England midfielder Georgia Stanway said: 'I'm aware that Switzerland is a very expensive country. Even just for flights, hotels, the cost of living there is extremely high, so we understand the demand it is on fans. And I think that's difficult for us as well because we want to help and support as much as possible.' The tournament will take place across Switzerland, with the Lionesses playing their first two group stage matches in Zurich against France and the Netherlands on 5 and 9 July. They will then travel to St Gallen to face Wales on 13 July. The final is scheduled for 27 July at St Jakob-Park in Basel. Stanway said: 'A lot of us are putting our hands in our pockets to make sure that our families can get over there. We would love to see as many fans as possible, and we want to thank them in advance because we know it's not cheap.'
Daily Mirror
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Caring Lionesses help friends & family with costs for 'very expensive' Euro 2025
The Lionesses kick off their campaign in Zurich against France on July 5 as they defend their European title, with stars reaching into their own pockets to ensure friends and family can watch them in Switzerland England midfielder Georgia Stanway has revealed some players are reaching into their own pockets to help ensure friends and family can watch them defend their European title in one of the world's most expensive countries. The Lionesses kick off their campaign in Zurich against France on July 5 before facing the Netherlands and Wales in the group stage. Euro 2025 host nation Switzerland may be a much shorter trip for supporters than the 2023 World Cup in Australia, but the cost of attending the tournament may prove prohibitive for some. 'I think it's all subjective, isn't it?' said Stanway when asked whether the friendlier time difference, compared to Australia, would make the Euros more accessible. 'My families can (attend), but I'm also aware that Switzerland is a very expensive country. 'Even just for flights, hotels, the cost of living there is extremely high, so we understand the demand it is on fans. And I think that's difficult for us as well, because we want to help and support as much as possible, even with our own families. 'A lot of us are putting our hands in our pockets to make sure that our families can get over there. We would love to see as many fans as possible and we want to thank them in advance because we know it's not cheap.' All 23 players are given an identical sum to put towards travel plans for loved ones, which can be used for transport and accommodation. The undisclosed figure is no less than England's men receive for the same purpose and comparable to what the Lionesses were allotted for the World Cup. Players are also granted a small allocation of tickets free of charge. England and Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone added: 'I've heard it's quite expensive. It's one of the most expensive countries in the world, that's what I heard. 'I think it will be a bit difficult for families who are staying out for the whole tournament, but I know that I'll always help my family be out there and make memories and make sure they're eating.' Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy was grateful for any fans who were able and willing to make their way to Switzerland. She said: 'I think it speaks a lot to the fans that we have in general here in England. A lot of people are willing to go above and beyond to be able to watch us and that's quite inspiring for us. It creates an energy that we not only felt during the Euros, but we still felt it in Australia regardless of the time difference. 'It's something that we see as our cliche of the 12th woman out there. I think us as a country, historically, but also for the next years, we'll lean on our fans as much as we can.'
