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The Independent
15 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
England are out of lives - but there are three reasons latest final goes beyond luck
They may have already used their nine lives, but England are through to their third consecutive major tournament final at Euro 2025. Yes, England have been extremely fortunate to make it this far, requiring miraculous escapes to defeat Sweden and Italy in the knockout stages and overcome sub-par performances. But if the Lionesses have had luck on their side, there is no denying that reaching another final is an impressive achievement - one that is unprecedented in England's history. Sarina Wiegman 's run of finals is even longer, with the Dutch coach extending her streak to five Euros or World Cup finals in a row with the Netherlands and England. Wiegman was asked for her secret after England's dramatic semi-final victory over Italy and replied with a laugh: 'I'm the lucky one. I can't believe it myself.' She gave the credit to her players, coaching staff and the support of the English and Dutch federations - but Wiegman has also played a role in extending her tournament record. And even if a lot of Wiegman's decision-making at the Euros has justifiably come under question, her approach is built on process and the results are hard to dispute. Empowering her players England's togetherness and the unity of the squad has been a key part of their run to the final. Before the tournament began, England's players were encouraged to open up to each other and share their 'why' - their reason being at the tournament. Forward Lauren Hemp said a shared understanding of every players' journey into people 'connects us more as a team' while captain Leah Williamson said: 'You have to know those things about each other for when times get tough.' Wiegman has also encouraged her players to share tough moments with each other, with Beth Mead explaining: "I think we've made ourselves very vulnerable. I think that gives us so much more togetherness, so much more trust of each other.' During the Euros, Mead has shared how she and Ella Toone have supported each other while they are both grieving the loss of a parent, while the Lionesses also came together to call for action after Jess Carter revealed she had been suffering racist abuse online. 'She [Wiegman] empowers us, which I think is important,' Williamson said. 'Especially coming from a woman. She sees us, gives us space to be ourselves and encourages us to be better - and really does encourage us to be better - in a positive way.' Lucy Bronze spoke of how England are able to 'lift each other up' and their resilience has been required when bouncing back from their opening defeat to France or coming from behind to beat Sweden and Italy in the knockout stages. The term 'proper England' has been used throughout the tournament and part of that is Wiegman wanting 'our behaviours and how we want to support each other' to contribute to the team environment, believing that it makes a difference when under pressure. There have been many times during the Euros where a team that has previously tasted success could have folded. But England's togetherness, built through their vulnerability, has helped them push through even when they are not playing their best. Building a winning culture They can't keep getting away with it, right? But the more late goals England score, the more their ability to win by any means possible becomes self-fulfilling. Italy and Sweden both left the Euros with regrets after being unable to finish England off. 'We've shown that multiple times,' Wiegman said after the semi-final. England are winning games in a very different way to Euro 2022, with slow starts and a lack of urgency a frequent theme, but the legacy of their super-subs from that tournament has lived on at Euro 2025. The role of England's bench - and the 'positive clickers' - has been instrumental again throughout . The fact Wiegman has already led England to a major trophy by using her squad in this way ensures that everyone buys in. 'It just becomes more natural,' Wiegman explained when discussing her approach at the start of the Euros. 'You have set the tone at the beginning of how you want things. And then you hope that things become organic and everyone knows how it works. When new players and new staff members come in, they just straight away come into the environment and everyone knows how it is and they grow and adapt to it naturally.' Wiegman's standards remain high and Leah Williamson explained: 'She's a winner, she's very competitive, even when it comes to darts. She has that edge to her.' Wiegman said there was 'relief' after narrowly avoiding defeat against Italy but said: 'We never give up. We say we can win by any means. Against Sweden, with the penalty shoot-out, we were a bit lucky that they missed. Tonight we were going for that goal but it gave us something, too. This team just keeps going." In-game changes and staying calm Wiegman defended the timing of her substitutes against Italy after what appeared to be an agonising wait to bring on Chloe Kelly and Michelle Agyemang following their decisive contributions against Sweden. With Beth Mead replacing the injured Lauren James at half time, Kelly came on for Georgia Stanway in the 74th minute with Agyemang and Aggie Beever-Jones swapping on for Alessia Russo and Leah Williamson in the 85th. "In the second half we were in their half, played well and created some chances. That's why we waited,' Wiegman said afterwards, but it still felt like a long time to persist with an approach that Italy looked comfortable dealing with - particularly when the impact of Kelly and Agyemang was so obvious when they did eventually come on. Ultimately, Wiegman's changes worked because England won the game - and the Lionesses have now scored five goals from substitutes at Euro 2025, the most in the tournament. It should be pointed out, though, that England's bench is one of the strongest at the Euros, with much more depth than the options available to Sweden and Italy. Wiegman's attacking substitutes towards the end of normal time meant that England, once again, ended up with players who were out of position. Beth Mead dropped into attacking midfield while Lauren Hemp put in a shift at left-back during extra time as England piled numbers forward. Wiegman, though, has guided her improvised team through different chapters of the game, particularly after England have found an equaliser but still have an unbalanced line-up on the pitch. 'You try and get that information onto your team-mates quickly and we adapt, and I think that's probably the difference that sets us apart probably sometimes at the moment tactically,' Beth Mead said after the quarter-final. 'If we can get it right, how does [the opponent] keep up with all those changes? I think that works quite well for us. 'Sarina knows what she's doing,' Mead added. 'There's method in the madness.' Perhaps England fans need to keep the faith as well before the Euro 2025 final on Sunday.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
The comeback queens - these Lionesses never give in
When all seems lost, these Lionesses find a way to rescue it. The comebacks queens, always coming back for more. with a chance to defend their European crown. But even Sarina Wiegman feared they would be flying home today when the clock hit 88 minutes in the semi-final with Italy and they were still trailing 1-0. Just why had the defence been picked apart too easily again in the first half to concede to give Barbara Bonansea the space and time to score? Just why were Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp, in particular, not clinical enough? Just why are they always relying on the substitutes? Maybe that is a recipe for success rather than a desperate rescue mission. Read more from Sky News: Because when Wiegman saw there would be seven minutes of stoppage time, suddenly there was hope again. Especially as five minutes earlier, the manager had brought on Michelle Agyemang. It's a lot to rely on a 19-year-old. But this is a striker who scored 41 seconds into her international debut as a substitute in April. And she scored the equaliser that sent the quarterfinal into extra time last week before England beat Sweden on penalties. Now the weight of the nation was on her shoulders again - and she delivered in the sixth of the seven minutes of injury time. "She has something special," Wiegman said. "She's very mature, she knows exactly what she has to do. "When you talk about little things that she picks up straight away, because she's not only in the 18-yard box very dangerous but when we have to go to her as a target player, she keeps the ball really well too." The Arsenal forward even hit the crossbar in extra time before the Wembley winner from the final three years ago showed again why she's a super-sub. Just when it seemed England would need to win another shootout, Beth Mead was brought down and now they had one penalty to win it. Chloe Kelly was denied but alert to pounce on the rebound. And with a 2-1 win, England will go the distance for a third tournament in a row. No England team has ever previously enjoyed such a deep run. For Kelly it will be a second final of the year after winning the Champions League with Arsenal. But it is a year that began despondent at Manchester City before securing a move to the Gunners. "The moments when in January I felt like giving up football makes you so grateful for these moments here today, and this makes you enjoy every minute of that," Kelly said. "I think confidence comes from within, but from around you as well. The players that we stand side by side with on the pitch, give confidence in each other." And England will certainly feel confident. These never give in. How many teams would want to bottle up that fighting spirit and resilience? "When it finishes like this I am enjoying it but it's a little bit dramatic," said Wiegman, who has now reached an unprecedented five tournament finals with the Netherlands and England.
Sky News
a day ago
- Sport
- Sky News
The comeback queens - these Lionesses never give in
When all seems lost, these Lionesses find a way to rescue it. The comebacks queens, always coming back for more. And now into a third consecutive final with a chance to defend their European crown. But even Sarina Wiegman feared they would be flying home today when the clock hit 88 minutes in the semi-final with Italy and they were still trailing 1-0. Just why had the defence been picked apart too easily again in the first half to concede to give Barbara Bonansea the space and time to score? Just why were Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp, in particular, not clinical enough? 0:25 Maybe that is a recipe for success rather than a desperate rescue mission. Because when Wiegman saw there would be seven minutes of stoppage time, suddenly there was hope again. Especially as five minutes earlier, the manager had brought on Michelle Agyemang. It's a lot to rely on a 19-year-old. But this is a striker who scored 41 seconds into her international debut as a substitute in April. And she scored the equaliser that sent the quarterfinal into extra time last week before England beat Sweden on penalties. Now the weight of the nation was on her shoulders again - and she delivered in the sixth of the seven minutes of injury time. "She has something special," Wiegman said. "She's very mature, she knows exactly what she has to do. "When you talk about little things that she picks up straight away, because she's not only in the 18-yard box very dangerous but when we have to go to her as a target player, she keeps the ball really well too." The Arsenal forward even hit the crossbar in extra time before the Wembley winner from the final three years ago showed again why she's a super-sub. Just when it seemed England would need to win another shootout, Beth Mead was brought down and now they had one penalty to win it. Chloe Kelly was denied but alert to pounce on the rebound. And with a 2-1 win, England will go the distance for a third tournament in a row. No England team has ever previously enjoyed such a deep run. For Kelly it will be a second final of the year after winning the Champions League with Arsenal. But it is a year that began despondent at Manchester City before securing a move to the Gunners. "The moments when in January I felt like giving up football makes you so grateful for these moments here today, and this makes you enjoy every minute of that," Kelly said. "I think confidence comes from within, but from around you as well. The players that we stand side by side with on the pitch, give confidence in each other." And England will certainly feel confident. These Lionesses never give in. How many teams would want to bottle up that fighting spirit and resilience? "When it finishes like this I am enjoying it but it's a little bit dramatic," said Wiegman, who has now reached an unprecedented five tournament finals with the Netherlands and England.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Off-pitch lives and loves of England's Lionesses gunning for Women's Euro 2025 glory
The Lionesses are two games from glory as they prepare to take on Italy in the semi-final of the Women's Euros - with Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Lucy Bronze all looking to fire England to the title Beneath the majestic glow of the Swiss Alps, England's Lionesses are battling hard to do what only one other team in history has done: defend their European Championship crown. Their campaign began with a jolt - a 2-1 defeat by France that stung like an Alpine winter chill. But Sarina Wiegman's pride roared back, dismantling the Netherlands 4-0 and crushing Wales 6-1 to storm into the quarter-finals against Sweden. Despite trailing 2-0 against the Swedes, England staged a late, lionhearted comeback, netting two goals in just three minutes to force extra time - before ultimately clinching victory in a dramatic penalty shootout. Now, a showdown with Italy is all that stands between them and a third successive major final. On the pitch, the Lionesses' blend of resilience, flair and grit has captured countless hearts and imaginations. Off it, their lives are equally as vibrant and purposeful. Here, Mirror Football offers an intimate glimpse into the behind-the-scenes lives of the Lionesses, revealing the passions, bonds and love stories that are fuelling their hunt for Euro 2025 glory. Leah Williamson: the resilient leader Captain Leah Williamson is back leading the Lionesses after missing the 2023 World Cup due to an ACL injury. The Arsenal centre back, who lifted the Euro 2022 trophy, has been pivotal on and off the pitch, advocating for equal access to PE for children - recently meeting Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to push the cause. Off-field, Williamson, 28, keeps her personal life relatively private but has shared her love for music, learning to play the piano during her injury recovery. She came out as bisexual in 2022, and earlier this year, it emerged she was in a relationship with former Miss USA model Elle Smith. The pair, who reportedly started dating in 2024, jetted off for a pre-tournament break in Majorca last month. Commenting on Williamson's Instagram post about the trip, Smith asked: "Same time next year? x," to which Williamson replied: "Yes please x." Lauren Hemp: the young superstar Manchester City's Lauren Hemp is a dynamic forward with 68 England caps, despite only being 24 years old. After returning from knee surgery last year, Hemp has been typically dazzling and has started every single one of the Lionesses' fixtures at Euro 2025 - netting in the 6-1 mauling of Wales. Since 2023, Hemp - who is a self-proclaimed Lego fanatic - has been in a relationship with Sheffield United footballer Ashley Hodson. The couple keep things fairly low-key, but feature regularly on each other's Instagram feeds. When Hemp received an MBE for her services to football last year, Hodson uploaded a snap of the two of them together, with the understated caption: "She did a thing... and it's great," followed by a heart-eyes emoji. Alessia Russo: the goal-scoring icon Alessia Russo is no stranger to making an impact at the Euros. She scored an audacious back-heel in the semi-final of Euro 2022 - a goal that was later nominated for the FIFA Puskas award - and ended the tournament as the second-top scorer, despite only ever appearing from the substitute's bench. In Switzerland, the Arsenal star, 26, is looking to make a similar mark, though she only has one goal so far. Off-field, Russo is private about her love life, with no confirmed partner, focusing instead on her career and family. Her brother Giorgio's stint on Love Island made plenty of headlines, but Alessia remains grounded, co-hosting a BBC podcast, The Tooney & Russo Show, with international team-mate and close pal Ella Toone. England fans will be hoping to see Russo kick things up a notch or two at the Euros, particularly after she was crowned FWA Women's Footballer of the Year in May. Ella Toone: the social media sensation Speaking of Toone, the 25-year-old is a fan favourite with a flair for the dramatic, scoring in the Euro 2022 final and a World Cup semi-final. Off the pitch, she's in a relationship with footballer Joe Bunney, and the couple runs a popular YouTube channel. Toone's "ET7" brand, inspired by her idol, Cristiano Ronaldo, reflects her bold personality and saw her become the first England Women's star to trademark her name. The Manchester United midfielder lost her father in September 2024 - a tragedy she says affected her performances last season. But now she's ready to bounce back by firing England to glory at the Euros. She's already scored twice at the tournament, and will launch herself into contention for the golden boot if she adds to her tally. Lauren James: the creative maestro Lauren James, 23, is a standout talent. Like her brother Reece James, she plays for Chelsea and is starting to make a significant impact at international level too. She was infamously sent off during the 2023 World Cup, but ended the tournament with three goals and three assists. Her creativity and long-range shooting make her a game-changer, and she's already bagged two goals at Euro 2025. Little is known about James' private life, but she is reportedly single, focusing on her football and family. She's close to her brother, Reece, and the pair are often pictured in each other's social media posts. Lucy Bronze: the global trailblazer At 33, Lucy Bronze is a Lionesses legend, with over 120 caps and a trophy cabinet boasting five Champions League titles. She moved to Chelsea in 2024 after a stint at Barcelona, and her versatility at right back or wing back remains vital for both club and country. Off the pitch, Bronze is private about her love life, though she used to date England vice captain and Chelsea team-mate Keira Walsh. In March this year, she revealed she was diagnosed with autism and ADHD back in 2021. The Northumberland native is a huge advocate for mental health support and has been open about her struggles in the past, particularly in relation to feeling guilty about missing the funeral of a close friend a few years ago. She's been ever-present at Euro 2025 so far and is expected to start against Italy. Beth Mead: the comeback queen Arsenal's Beth Mead reclaimed her spot in the Lionesses' squad after a devastating ACL injury in 2022 sidelined her for the World Cup. Her Euro 2022 heroics - including a Golden Boot win - remain iconic, and her return, marked by a goal in the Wales rout, signals her hunger for more silverware. Off the pitch, Mead, 30, is in a relationship with Arsenal team-mate Vivianne Miedema, and the couple, who live together in London, often share glimpses of their life, from cosy date nights to supporting each other's matches, on social media. Mead's mother sadly passed away in 2023 following a battle with cancer. It was her mother's diagnosis in 2021, the forward later revealed, that has fuelled her domestic and international success in the years since. The 2022 Sports Personality of the Year award winner's advocacy for women's sports and her candid autobiography, Lioness: My Journey to Glory, have made her a fan favourite. Her love for her dog, Myle - who features heavily on her Instagram account - and her Yorkshire roots add a touch of warmth to her vibrant off-field persona.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
England vs Italy – Women's EURO 2025: Get £50 in free bets with Betfred, plus our bet builder tips
DEFENDING champions England are just one victory away from reaching the Women's EURO 2025 final as they take on rivals Italy in Geneva. To mark the semi-final knockout clash, our team of betting experts has put together a 6/1 Bet Builder for the encounter, courtesy of Betfred. And there's more - new customers who sign up with Betfred and place a £10 bet on football will receive £50 in free sports bets. England vs Italy tips Here's why we've made those selections.. England to win: The Lionesses are expected to reach a second consecutive Euros final with minimal fuss against Italy, who are ranked seven places below beaten quarter-finalists Sweden. England have the experience at the business end of major tournaments, having now reached the semi-finals in six consecutive events. They are also unbeaten in their last five matches against Italy - all friendlies -winning four of them, including a dominant 5–1 victory in February 2024 in Spain. Lauren Hemp to score: The 24-year-old has scored once at these Euros from eight attempts on goal and will have fond memories of this fixture - she found the net in England's 5–1 win over Italy the last time the sides met. Lauren James to score: If there's another flurry of goals, Lauren James is likely to be involved. She has struck twice at these Euros so far, with only forward Alessia Russo recording more attempts on goal. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chase their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – GambleAware – Read our guide on responsible gambling practices. For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites. *New customers only. Register (excl 05/04/25), deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.
