Latest news with #KarenBardsley
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Goals galore and hope for hosts - takeaways from Euro 2025 group stage
The group stage at Euro 2025 is done and 24 games played, we have our eight quarter-finalists - Norway, Italy, Sweden, England, Spain, Switzerland, France and Sport takes a look at what the Euros have shown us so far. Euro 2022 finalists falter At the last Euros, England and Germany triumphed in all three of their group-stage matches without conceding a single the 2022 finalists haven't had it as easy this time around, finishing second in their respective Lionesses' title defence got off to a poor start with a 2-1 defeat by France, while Germany's group stage fizzled out with their heaviest-ever Euros defeat - a 4-1 thumping by have clawed back some momentum with commanding performances against the Netherlands and Wales, scoring 10 goals across those two 'three-peat' is still on for Sarina Wiegman, who led England to the title five years after guiding her native Netherlands to the trophy. She has overseen 14 victories at the Euros - more than any other manager."We learned England can score goals. There is depth on the bench and they can come on and make a difference," ex-England keeper Karen Bardsley said after their 6-1 triumph over Wales."What I have been impressed with generally is their fluidity of the rotations from the entirety of the team."England will be hoping to avoid falling to the same fate as Germany when they face Sweden in Thursday's quarter-final. Goals galore and red cards aplenty There has been no shortage of goals at Euro 2025, with a new record of 89 beats the 78 goals from 2022 and the 53 from 2017, when the tournament first changed to a 16-team format - up from screamers have also become more common, with 10 goals scored from outside the box - four more than the previous the Euro 2025 group stage produced a similar number of yellow cards (43) to the tally of 2022, there were twice as many red cards (four) - with Germany's Carlotta Wamser, Norway's Marit Lund, Iceland's Hildur Antonsdottir and Portugal's Ana Borges all sent off. Four teams through with 100% record Favourites before the start of the tournament, Spain have laid down their marker by sweeping past Portugal, Belgium and Italy. The world champions scored 14 goals - three more than anyone else - to equal the group-stage record set by England at Euro meanwhile, have made a statement by winning Group D - regarded as the toughest group at the tournament."Initially we thought this group was a death group and we got nine points," France manager Laurent Bonadei said. "We can be proud and satisfied. It was not easy, but we made it."Sweden surpassed expectations in Group C as they won all three games and beat eight-tim European champions Germany to top Gerhardsson's side finished the group stage with the best defence, conceding just one goal."Sweden are going to be a difficult team to beat. They're well-balanced and solid," said former Wales defender Danny also took maximum points, but doubts remain over their disjointed performances and defensive frailties after they narrowly scraped past Switzerland, Finland and Iceland - winning by one goal in all three games. However, they have been efficient in front of goal, scoring eight times - their highest-ever group-stage total. Underdogs Switzerland and Italy pose threat Switzerland have reached the European Championship quarter-finals for the first time, with Riola Xhemaili's stoppage-time equaliser against Finland keeping the hosts' Euro 2025 dream hosts will head into their last-eight tie against Spain as the Pia Sundhage's team can compete physically, with talented players such as Geraldine Reuteler well-equipped to provide a has created the most chances (seven), taken the most shots (nine) and recorded the most carries (36) at the tournament so arrived at the tournament as dark horses, and while they finished second in Group B, they can take confidence from the fact that they posed a threat to Spain, the top-ranked team, despite losing 3-1."Italy are learning things from previous competitions," said former England defender Anita Asante. England trio in the chasing pack for Golden Boot Esther Gonzalez has been prolific in front of goal during Spain's successful group stage, leading the top scorer charts with four team-mate Alexia Putellas is second on the list with three goals to go with her four assists - which could factor into who wins the Golden Boot Beth Mead was the top-joint scorer with six goals at Euro 2022, but her four assists won her the Golden Boot over Germany's Alexandra Putellas, there are 12 players - including England's Ella Toone, Lauren James and Georgia Stanway - who have scored all two goals and are in the chasing pack. Fans flock to Switzerland The group stage has unfolded across eight venues, where visiting fans have been treated to picturesque towns, crystal clear lakes and rivers, along with breath-taking alpine have packed out the fan zones dotted around each city, while the fan marches to the stadiums have buzzed with noise and colour to build lively atmospheres before Switzerland's three games, a sea of red has flooded the streets of Basel, Bern and Geneva, while supporters of the Netherlands and Iceland have also pounded the pavements in their thousands, clad in national while Switzerland doesn't have stadiums the size of Old Trafford or Wembley, that were used in 2022, crowds have turned out in force, with most games played to near-capacity highest attendance so far has been 34,165 at St Jakob-Park in Basel for Germany's 2-1 win over Denmark - a new Euros record for a game not involving the host nation.
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
How striker-turned-keeper Hampton is helping England's Euros bid
"I do miss scoring goals, I can't lie," Hannah Hampton said two days before England claimed a commanding 4-0 victory over the Netherlands at Euro goalkeeper might not have made it on to the scoresheet at Stadion Letzigrund on Wednesday night, but her sublime defence-splitting pass kickstarted the attack for the Lionesses' first goal and set the tempo for a statement played as a striker in her youth football days, the 24-year-old's impressive passing ability, sharp vision and attacking mind-set come as no drilled pass to Alessia Russo sliced through the entire Netherlands team, allowing the England striker to drive upfield before slipping the ball to Lauren James for a fantastic left-foot finish."The bravery to play that pass in a game like this, for me, says everything you need to know about her mindset," said former England keeper Karen striker Ellen White added: "Exquisite, perfection, this is what Hannah Hampton can bring to this England team." 'Hampton got it right in the right moments' Initially a striker, Hampton was part of the Villareal academy and only made the switch to being a goalkeeper aged 12 at Stoke City after her family had returned to forward to 2025, and she is England's number one at the European her position as the Lionesses' first-choice shot-stopper was not entirely definitive until six weeks ago, with Mary Earps still challenging for the jersey right up until her shock retirement from international absence of Earps - the Golden Glove winner at the 2023 World Cup - left questions over Hampton's ability to cope with the pressure of a major Chelsea keeper's performance against the Netherlands has now put some of those doubts to rest. While she had very few saves to make, she impressed with the ball at her feet - helping England get their title defence back on track after their 2-1 defeat by France in their opening game."The first task is to prevent goals but if you have a goalkeeper who plays well [with her feet], that's an added value," said England boss Sarina Wiegman after the win over her home country."She's a brilliant passer. She's really good with her feet, we know that, right and left. And today she got it right in the right moments." 'Outstanding' Hampton 'sets England on their way' Former England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis said she hoped Hampton's "sublime" performance "builds her confidence". "Her distribution was fantastic, she pretty much set up the first goal with that long through-ball," Brown-Finnis added."To produce something like that in your first major tournament as a starter was sensational."Only right-back Lucy Bronze, with 12, made more line-breaking passes than Hampton's six for England against the highly ranked Dutch team."That pass for Lauren James' opening goal was unreal," ex-Lionesses keeper Siobhan Chamberlain told BBC Radio 5 Live."The curve on it, the way that she had the vision to see it. You can have the vision to see something as a player, but to be able to execute it in the moment is outstanding. That was such a good pass to set England on their way." As well as her defence-splitting pass for James' opener, Hampton initiated the build-up for England's third goal, pinging a long-range ball over the Netherlands' defence for Russo to run onto before James - after a scramble in the box - fired played a key role as Chelsea won a domestic treble last season, her Blues and England team-mate Lucy Bronze said it's well known "how talented Hannah is"."Obviously I play with her every single day, so I know that she's got that ability," Bronze added."She's still a very young player as well, so she's still kind of learning the trade. But we can see it in training, the passes she makes."That one was obviously really special today and it really got the team going and gave a lot of people confidence."
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Football Daily Women's Football Weekly: Nations League reaction and Kirby announces England retirement
Ellen White and Ben Haines are joined by former England number one Karen Bardsley and react to the news that Fran Kirby has announced her retirement from international football with immediate effect, just days after goalkeeper Mary Earps also retired from international football before England attempt to defend their Euros title. Ellen shares her memories of playing with Fran and Karen reflects on her impact both on and off the pitch. The team also react to the Lionesses failing to reach the semi-finals of the Women's Nations League with a 2-1 defeat by group winners Spain, a game in which substitute Claudia Pina showed her class. They also look ahead to Thursday 5th June when Sarina Wiegman will name her final 23-player squad for the tournament this summer. Who are the players giving her biggest headaches and will she take a gamble on Lauren James? TIMECODES: 1:10 - Fran Kirby announces her international retirement with immediate effect. 3:20 - Ellen White and Karen Bardsley react to Kirby calling time on her international career. 16:30 - Reaction to the Lionesses 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Women's Nations League. 23:35 - The competition to start at number 9 between Alessia Russo and Aggie Beever-Jones. 25:35 - Post-match reaction from Alessia Russo. 29:25 - Should Sarina Wiegman take Michelle Agyemang to the Euros alongside Russo and Beever-Jones? 31:50 - Post-match reaction from Leah Williamson 34:10 - Look ahead to the England squad announcement for the Euros. 39:50 - Ellen and Karen's squad announcement stories.
The Guardian
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Mary Earps made indelible mark with England and leaves big gap to fill
The news of Mary Earps's retirement from international football has been met with a cacophony of views, ranging from shock and disappointment to sadness and anger. That the decision to step away has prompted such emotional responses, coming less than six weeks before the first game of England's European Championship defence, is a testament to her popularity and the standing she has in the game. Earps's international career has been a rollercoaster, which hit a low when she was dropped by Phil Neville in March 2020. The goalkeeper thought it was a one‑off, that she would be back, but she was omitted from the next squad, then the next, and it was not until Sarina Wiegman arrived as head coach that things took an upward turn. In that year away from the international game she thought she would never pull on the shirt again, and that took an emotional and mental toll. No one, least of all Earps, could have predicted what would lie ahead. Injuries to Karen Bardsley and Ellie Roebuck opened the door for Earps to start under Wiegman and she grabbed the opportunity. She went from third-choice goalkeeper at the 2019 World Cup in France and out in the cold in 2020 to the No 1 for the Lionesses at the home Euro 2022. Her rise following a phenomenal run to the first major international title for the senior women's side was staggering. A key component is she comes across as fun and personable, her iconic hip swinging on the press conference table after the players crashed Wiegman's post-match press conference after the Euro 2022 final victory thrusting her personality to the fore. With the spotlight comes responsibility and Earps rose to it, being a vocal and passionate advocate for goalkeeping and goalkeeper coaching, speaking candidly about the lack of proper coaching available to her generation of keepers for much of their careers and supporting efforts to increase the popularity of the position. Then, there was the challenging of the England sponsors Nike on the eve of the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand where, when asked about the lack of availability of replica women's goalkeeper kits, she paused, clearly emotional and weighing up whether it was the right time to speak out, before launching into an impassioned plea for the sportswear giant to make a U-turn on their decision to not sell the kits. She said: 'I can't really sugarcoat this in any way, so I am not going to try. It is hugely disappointing and very hurtful.' She forced change in the months that followed. At that World Cup Earps shone on the pitch, collecting the Golden Glove after England endured heartbreak, losing 1-0 against Spain in the final. She earned the nickname 'queen of stops' and footage of her expletive‑laden reaction after saving a penalty to keep the deficit to a single goal went viral. She was named The Best Fifa women's goalkeeper in 2022 and 2023 for those tournament heroics and won BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2023. 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 Her popularity has been enhanced by her social media presence, particularly on TikTok. Meanwhile, she became the first women's football player to have a waxwork at Madame Tussauds having won a public vote. She also launched her own line of T-shirts inspired by her speech when she won her first Fifa award in 2022, dedicating the win to 'anyone who's ever been in a dark place' before saying: 'You can achieve anything you set your mind to. Sometimes success looks like this – collecting trophies – sometimes it's just waking up and putting one step in front of the other. There's only one of you in the world, and that's more than good enough. Be unapologetically yourself.' In recent months Earps has found her playing time with England reduced, with Chelsea's Hannah Hampton preferred to the goalkeeper capped 53 times. It is a widely held view that Hampton is better with the ball at her feet, which suits the way England want to play, building out from the back. However, whether the talented 24-year-old, who has performed exceptionally well for Chelsea this season, will be able to match the stage presence, confidence and output of Earps on the biggest international stages remains to be seen. Her international retirement comes as a shock, but it is understood to be something she has been considering and discussing with Wiegman for some time. The timing of the announcement, so soon before the European Championship, is unusual, and many would have liked to see the senior head steer England's young keepers through the tournament. The reasons for the decision and its timing will no doubt come out in time; what we can take some time to do now is appreciate and reflect on Earps's commitment, passion and energy in an England shirt.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chelsea v City: Women's Subway League Cup preview
Everything you need to know ahead of our Subway League Cup Final against Chelsea. We face Chelsea at Pride Park on Saturday 15 March, with kick-off scheduled for 12:15 (UK). You can also keep up to date via the Official Man City app and which will provide coverage throughout the afternoon. Regular updates will also be available on our social channels, including on X: @ManCityWomen. Our official app will provide you with all the action from the Midlands with live commentary from Alistair Mann and Karen Bardsley from kick-off. Our matchday live show will also bring you usual pre-match build-up to the big game but with a City twist. Promising to be brimming with humour and deliver you with plenty of anecdotes you won't want to miss it. Coverage will get under way from 11:15 (UK) as Karen Bardsley will be pitchside in Derbyshire, with Toni Duggan and Steve Howey in the studio. The broadcast will be back briefly during the half-time period and after the game. You can also follow along on all our digital platforms. Highlights and a full-match replay will also be available on CITY+ later in the afternoon. Gareth Taylor's press conference takes place on Friday 14 March at 14:30 and will be available to watch live on and the official Man City app, with written content and a full video replay available later in the afternoon. Our last encounter with Chelsea saw us fall to a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge ending our 12-match unbeaten run. Two second-half goals from Mayra Ramirez and Guro Reiten were the difference in this top-of-the-table clash in the Capital. Despite a courageous defensive effort and promising counter-attacks, the first loss of the season meant City would sit second in the WSL and the Londoners would come away with bragging rights. WATCH: Extended highlights | Chelsea 2-0 City The road to the Midlands has not been an easy ride for the Citizens. From coming out on top against our cross-city rivals to a dramatic semi-final fixture here is how we claimed or place in the last two. Lily Murphy played a pivotal role in our 2-1 win at Leigh Sports Village, cementing our place in the semi-final. The youngster provided the assist for Laura Coombs' opener before restoring the lead for City after Millie Turner's equaliser. The Citizens displayed a great defensive display in the second-half against our cross-city rivals to reclaim the bragging rights in Manchester. WATCH: Extended highlights: Manchester United 1-2 City There was a 30-minute delay to kick-off in our semi-final at Meadow Park. But with an exciting atmosphere the stage was set for a thrilling fixture between two established sides. The prize? A spot in the final. City took a deserved lead after 26 minutes through Mary Fowler, but Arsenal continued to press the Blues. It wasn't long until the Gunners levelled from the centre spot through Mariona Caldentey in the second-half. The second 45 minutes were packed full of chances to go ahead as City hit the woodwork twice and had a penalty save. It looked as if the game would be forced to extra time, but Fowler stepped up to fire home a dramatic 95th minute winner in the last kick of the game. WATCH: Short highlights: Arsenal 1-2 City Chelsea's road to Derby included seven goals in their last two League Cup fixtures. It started with a 5-0 win over Durham in the quarter-final at Kingsmeadow recording back-to-back 5-0 wins after they turned five past West Ham in the Women's Super League. With five different goalscorers in 60 minutes the game was jam packed and the Blues booked their place in the semi-finals. 2-0 win over West Ham at Kingsmeadow. A 20th minute opener from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd helped Chelsea to a 2-0 win over West Ham at Kingsmeadow. Rytting Kaneryd's attempt set the Blues' noses ahead before Sjoeke Nusken doubled the lead nine minutes later. The win not only secured their place in the final but also continued their 22-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
