Latest news with #ProperEngland
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Two days of solid partying and no sleep... but the Lionesses are still at peak bounce! JANE FRYER on England's Euro winners
The decibel levels were pretty high already on The Mall – horns blowing, fans shouting and helicopters thumping overhead. But when the open-top bus finally crawls along behind the bobbing white hats and sliding trombones of the Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines Portsmouth, the 65,000-strong crowd goes completely bananas. Screaming girls draped in England flags are hoisted on to shoulders. Women in full football kit clutch each other and yell. Middle-aged men jump up and down. Flags and mobile phones fill the sky, and everyone lurches forward for a glimpse of our returning champions. Who, somehow, after a gruelling tournament with an awful lot of extra time, two days of solid partying (with a short break for a Downing Street reception) a couple of 4am finishes and almost no sleep, are still at peak bounce. Jumping and dancing and punching the air. There's Chloe Kelly skipping and singing. Michelle Agyemang at the back. Captain Leah Williamson weeping. Coach Sarina Wiegman waving like a mad woman from the middle of the bus as someone shouts 'Sarina for Prime Minister!' And, of course, the great 140-cap veteran, Lucy Bronze. 'Oh my God, she's a bloody legend. She's insane,' says Sam Bottomley from Herne Bay, who is next to me in the crowd with her twin daughters Mia and Paige. 'All these male footballers rolling around on the floor with a bent back finger and she's played the whole tournament with a broken tibia. That's Proper England – resilience and teamwork – and what better influence for young girls?' And boys, Sam! All of us, for that matter. Which, presumably, is why so many people came today. Some, from hundreds of miles away, arriving in the wee small hours to grab a front row seat. And every hour since, thousands and thousands more, in a great wave of flags, football strips and excitement sweeping across London's Royal parks. Mums and daughters, like Amelia and Kara, from Stevenage. 'As soon as they won, I got my daughter to ring my boss and ask for the day off!' says Amelia. 'We had to be here.' Grannies – 'we've never really had a women's sports team to support before' says Helen, 68, from Winslow. Toddlers with smeary face paint. A dog called Winifred who's watched every match at home in Brighton and, today, is dressed top to paw in football finery. Silas, from Camden, who has an Abyssinian cat called Kanga snuggled around his neck wrapped in an England flag. There is great excitement when Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are spotted in the front of the crowds with their new daughter Athena and Edoardo's son Wolfie – though I somehow doubt they were putting up camping chairs at dawn. Oh yes, and a chap called Tom from Cirencester, here in a sports jacket with his three young sons and nine-week-old baby girl – 'I wanted her to witness a piece of history.' Not just because the Lionesses have won again. And on penalties. But how they did it. How they help each other. Share the glory. The lack of fuss. Which, according to Graham, a heavily tattooed Millwall fan from Bexley with the biggest flag here, is what it's all about. 'I used to follow the men's, but it's a bit boring now. 'The women are more exciting because there's no theatrics, they just get on with it.' In fact, as we waited and waited for the parade, I don't think I've ever been in such a friendly, warm, lovely crowd. Some just want to say thank you. Others to pay homage. All seem happy with even the slightest glimpse of our new champions. Which is presumably why no one makes a fuss when the Lionesses finally reach the big stage in front of Buckingham Palace, and it turns out that the sound quality is disappointingly poor. So rubbish that most of us can't hear when Hannah Hampton tells the crowds never to give up on a dream if it makes you happy. Or when 19-year-old student Michelle tells her team how much she loves them all. But we can see the great Lucy Bronze looking daunting with a red and white Euro Champions scarf tied round her head and full skiing sunglasses. 'Oh my God!' says a lady near me on crutches. 'I've got the same leg break as her; I've been on crutches for 12 weeks and she's played an entire football tournament!' And there's coach Sarina dancing when her favourite singer, Burna Boy, comes on as a surprise and the whole of the Mall erupts into a giant disco. And, oddly, we can suddenly all hear very loud and clear when Chloe Kelly laughs off the idea of feeling any stress – 'Pressure! What pressure?' – and sends TV presenter Alex Scott into a stricture when, in all the excitement, she tells us how very proud she is to be English and that it's all 'so f***ing special'. But, again, nobody cares. Because she's right – it is. It really is. And she did apologise very nicely afterwards.
Japan Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Japan Times
England's women maintained belief through bumpy run to Euro glory
England fans marched to St Jakob-Park for Sunday's Women's Euro 2025 final behind a banner that read "Proper England," the team's new motto that had developed over a roller-coaster tournament of wild comebacks. England delivered one more heart-stopping come-from-behind win on Sunday to capture its second consecutive European title, in its third straight major tournament final, with Chloe Kelly firing in the decisive spot-kick to beat world champions Spain 3-1 in a shootout after a 1-1 draw. If it was the unlikeliest of results — England had only led for four minutes over its three knockout games — it also felt almost inevitable after its battling, never-say-die approach during the finals since losing its opening game to France. "We have players that have talent, and the togetherness of this team is really incredible, but also the belief that we can come back," said coach Sarina Wiegman. Asked if they ever doubted victory, defender Niamh Charles said: "No. We had that complete belief that however late it went ... That's something we've referenced so much, that 'Proper English,'" she said. It was the third consecutive Euro trophy for 55-year-old Wiegman, who led her native Netherlands to the 2017 title, and her fifth major tournament final. "She's bloody amazing," Kelly said of the Dutch coach, who is under contract with England through the 2027 World Cup. "She's an incredible woman, what she's done for this country, we should all be so grateful for. "What she's done for me individually, she gave me hope when I probably didn't have any." Kelly's heroics included smashing home her penalty in the shootout win over Sweden in the quarterfinals, and scoring the winner against Italy in the semis. But back in January, the 27-year-old was barely playing at Manchester City, raising questions about whether she would make Wiegman's squad. Kelly made a public plea to leave City for a team that would give her more playing time and it worked — she spent the rest of the season on a successful loan spell at Arsenal, and has since signed a permanent deal. "Thanks to everyone who wrote me off. I'm grateful," said Kelly, who won the Champions League before coming to the Euros. Remarkable stories Kelly's storyline was just one in a team full of remarkable tales. Workhorse Lucy Bronze revealed after the match that she had played in her seventh major tournament — and for the past two months — with a broken tibia. "(Bronze) is an absolute nutter, but she loves her country, she loves playing for her country, putting on that shirt, and Lucy was outstanding this tournament, considering," midfielder Beth Mead said. Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, born with an eye condition that affects her depth perception, was thrust into the spotlight after Mary Earps announced her international retirement. A bloodied Hampton played with gauze stuffed up one nostril in the shootout against Sweden. She earned the player of the match award on Sunday after saving two penalties in the shootout. Jess Carter had been left out the Italy semi after being the target of online racist abuse. The center-back said she had been "super scared" to play on Sunday, but was rock solid in defense. Carter, 27, thanked the fans, her family and her teammates for their support, saying without it "I don't know if I'd have ever had the courage to get back on the pitch and play again." A star was born in 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang, who saved England from the brink with late goals against Sweden and Italy. She won the Young Player of the Tournament award. The Lionesses will now enjoy a victory parade on Tuesday that ends in front of Buckingham Palace. Then Wiegman and her staff will quickly shift their focus to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, where England will be desperate to continue its remarkable run by going one better than its defeat in the final by Spain two years ago.
The Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-England's women maintained belief through bumpy run to Euro glory
Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Final - England v Spain - St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland - July 27, 2025 England players celebrate winning the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 final REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth BASEL, Switzerland (Reuters) -England fans marched to St Jakob-Park for Sunday's women's Euro 2025 final behind a banner that read "Proper England," the team's new motto that had developed over a roller-coaster tournament of wild comebacks. England delivered one more heart-stopping come-from-behind win on Sunday to capture their second consecutive European title, in their third straight major tournament final, with Chloe Kelly firing in the decisive spot-kick to beat world champions Spain 3-1 in a shootout after a 1-1 draw. If it was the unlikeliest of results -- England had only led for four minutes over their three knockout games -- it also felt almost inevitable after their battling, never-say-die approach during the finals since losing their opening game to France. "We have players that have talent, and the togetherness of this team is really incredible, but also the belief that we can come back," said coach Sarina Wiegman. Asked if they ever doubted victory, defender Niamh Charles said: "No. We had that complete belief that however late it went ... That's something we've referenced so much, that 'Proper English,'" she said. It was the third consecutive Euro trophy for 55-year-old Wiegman, who led her native Netherlands to the 2017 title, and her fifth major tournament final. "She's bloody amazing," Kelly said of the Dutch coach, who is under contract with England through the 2027 World Cup. "She's an incredible woman, what she's done for this country, we should all be so grateful for. "What she's done for me individually, she gave me hope when I probably didn't have any." Kelly's heroics included smashing home her penalty in their shootout win over Sweden in the quarter-finals, and scoring the winner against Italy in the semis. But back in January, the 27-year-old was barely playing at Manchester City, raising questions about whether she would make Wiegman's squad. Kelly made a public plea to leave City for a team that would give her more playing time and it worked -- she spent the rest of the season on a successful loan spell at Arsenal, and has since signed a permanent deal with them. "Thanks to everyone who wrote me off. I'm grateful," said Kelly, who won the Champions League before coming to the Euros. REMARKABLE STORIES Kelly's storyline was just one in a team full of remarkable tales. Workhorse Lucy Bronze revealed after the match that she had played in her seventh major tournament -- and for the past two months -- with a broken tibia. "(Bronze) is an absolute nutter, but she loves her country, she loves playing for her country, putting on that shirt, and Lucy was outstanding this tournament, considering," midfielder Beth Mead said. Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, born with an eye condition that affects her depth perception, was thrust into the spotlight after Mary Earps announced her international retirement. A bloodied Hampton played with gauze stuffed up one nostril in the shootout against Sweden. She earned player of the match on Sunday after saving two penalties in the shootout. Jess Carter had been left out the Italy semi after being the target of online racist abuse. The centre-back said she had been "super scared" to play on Sunday, but was rock solid in defence. Carter, 27, thanked the fans, her family and her teammates for their support, saying without it "I don't know if I'd have ever had the courage to get back on the pitch and play again." A star was born in 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang, who saved England from the brink with late goals against Sweden and Italy. She won the Young Player of the Tournament award. The Lionesses will now enjoy a victory parade on Tuesday that ends in front of Buckingham Palace. Then Wiegman and her staff will quickly shift their focus to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, where England will be desperate to continue their remarkable run by going one better than their defeat in the final by Spain two years ago. (Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Ken Ferris)
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
England's women maintained belief through bumpy run to Euro glory
BASEL, Switzerland - England fans marched to St Jakob-Park for Sunday's women's Euro 2025 final behind a banner that read "Proper England," the team's new motto that had developed over a roller-coaster tournament of wild comebacks. England delivered one more heart-stopping come-from-behind win on Sunday to capture their second consecutive European title, in their third straight major tournament final, with Chloe Kelly firing in the decisive spot-kick to beat world champions Spain 3-1 in a shootout after a 1-1 draw. If it was the unlikeliest of results -- England had only led for four minutes over their three knockout games -- it also felt almost inevitable after their battling, never-say-die approach during the finals since losing their opening game to France. "We have players that have talent, and the togetherness of this team is really incredible, but also the belief that we can come back," said coach Sarina Wiegman. Asked if they ever doubted victory, defender Niamh Charles said: "No. We had that complete belief that however late it went ... That's something we've referenced so much, that 'Proper English,'" she said. It was the third consecutive Euro trophy for 55-year-old Wiegman, who led her native Netherlands to the 2017 title, and her fifth major tournament final. "She's bloody amazing," Kelly said of the Dutch coach, who is under contract with England through the 2027 World Cup. "She's an incredible woman, what she's done for this country, we should all be so grateful for. "What she's done for me individually, she gave me hope when I probably didn't have any." Kelly's heroics included smashing home her penalty in their shootout win over Sweden in the quarter-finals, and scoring the winner against Italy in the semis. But back in January, the 27-year-old was barely playing at Manchester City, raising questions about whether she would make Wiegman's squad. Kelly made a public plea to leave City for a team that would give her more playing time and it worked -- she spent the rest of the season on a successful loan spell at Arsenal, and has since signed a permanent deal with them. "Thanks to everyone who wrote me off. I'm grateful," said Kelly, who won the Champions League before coming to the Euros. REMARKABLE STORIES Kelly's storyline was just one in a team full of remarkable tales. Workhorse Lucy Bronze revealed after the match that she had played in her seventh major tournament -- and for the past two months -- with a broken tibia. "(Bronze) is an absolute nutter, but she loves her country, she loves playing for her country, putting on that shirt, and Lucy was outstanding this tournament, considering," midfielder Beth Mead said. Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, born with an eye condition that affects her depth perception, was thrust into the spotlight after Mary Earps announced her international retirement. A bloodied Hampton played with gauze stuffed up one nostril in the shootout against Sweden. She earned player of the match on Sunday after saving two penalties in the shootout. Jess Carter had been left out the Italy semi after being the target of online racist abuse. The centre-back said she had been "super scared" to play on Sunday, but was rock solid in defence. Carter, 27, thanked the fans, her family and her teammates for their support, saying without it "I don't know if I'd have ever had the courage to get back on the pitch and play again." A star was born in 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang, who saved England from the brink with late goals against Sweden and Italy. She won the Young Player of the Tournament award. The Lionesses will now enjoy a victory parade on Tuesday that ends in front of Buckingham Palace. Then Wiegman and her staff will quickly shift their focus to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, where England will be desperate to continue their remarkable run by going one better than their defeat in the final by Spain two years ago. REUTERS
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
Lionesses are ultimate ‘Mentality Monsters' of international football
So now we have the definition of what 'Proper England' means. Up until the final of the European Championship it was just a kind of relatable phrase, with a bit of street language coolness, that the players were encouraged to use. But it could mean many things. It could mean anything. Good and, in fact, bad. Now that the Lionesses have so courageously retained their title, becoming the first senior England team to win a major trophy overseas, we know exactly what those two words amount to. Proper England is about character, about resilience, about desire, about digging deep and then digging deeper, about defying the odds, about defying logic even, about refusing to lose. It is about Hannah Hampton emerging from the shadows and replacing such a big character as Mary Earps to be the penalty shoot-out hero; about Jess Carter returning to deliver an immense performance in the heart of defence following the despicable racist abuse she suffered; about Lucy Bronze being barely able to run but staying on until the pain was too much and she was reduced to tears and later revealing she played the tournament with a fractured tibia; about Georgia Stanway being outplayed by Spain's technically brilliant midfield for 45 minutes and then turning it around and taking the fight to them in the second half; about Chloe Kelly doing what Chloe Kelly does. It is about Sarina Wiegman, the Dutch coach who has not just taken teams to five consecutive finals, three of them with England, but has won all four penalty shoot-outs that England, so derided in such scenarios before she and Gareth Southgate arrived, have taken part in. Once those shoot-outs provoked fear and ridicule. Now England just back themselves. And on and on it goes. But it needs a simple definition and that definition is this: England are, to steal Jürgen Klopp's phrase about his Liverpool team, the new 'Mentality Monsters'. That is what Proper England means. That is what the Lionesses have done. That is the transformation they have completed. They have redefined England and England as a force in international football and what an astonishing achievement that is. What an overturning of convention. Years of hurt? Forget about it. The shirt weighing heavy? No, it inspires them. Football's coming home? We have done that. Twice. This is a Golden Age. A Golden Generation. For women and – we hope – for men. For England as a whole, in fact, so we need to exploit it as well as rejoice in it as, of course, it does not last forever. The men have lost two Euro finals (the first of which they should have won); they are so close. They have not got that mentality right just yet – hence the hiring of Thomas Tuchel – but we have to hope it is to come. It has already arrived for their under-21s who, like the senior women, have retained their European title. There is a pathway. So buckle up and enjoy the ride. Any rational analysis will conclude that Spain were the better team. They played the better football. They had more control and more chances and will feel robbed. But sport is not logical, which is partly why it is so glorious. Instead it can defy that logic and bend to belief. These Lionesses always find a way and they did it the hard way – as they did throughout this tournament: becoming the first holders ever to lose their first game, dealing with that pressure and criticism and then coming through three periods of extra time and two shoot-outs. That takes extraordinary resilience. 'Football is chaos,' Wiegman said. But it also about who holds their nerve and rides that chaos. Who can tame it. England did that whereas, for decades, they allowed the chaos to dominate them, overwhelm them and the fear of losing destroying the desire to win. England's men's team went out of Euro 2016 to Iceland, arguably their biggest ever humiliation, with Wayne Rooney admitting he and his team-mates were fearing the media and fan reaction to defeat after they went 2-1 behind. Even though there was still 72 minutes to play. They froze; they felt the fear and could not cope. It feels a distant memory now, not just a nadir struck only nine years ago and the Lionesses are at the vanguard of banishing it. It has to be stressed the men need to follow but Southgate has shown them the way; it is now for Tuchel to emulate Wiegman and get them to the promised land. But no longer does it feel an impossible mission and an impossible job. Instead after the Football Association launched its 'England DNA' project in 2014, to improve the development of English footballers and produce a consistent and progressive way of playing, we have another layer to it: what Proper England means and how the Lionesses have taken that on, embraced it, rejoiced in it. It is not about a bulldog spirit or showing passion or being physical or playing harum-scarum football. It is not even about how the game should be played or style of football although, if England are to prolong this period of success, the next step must be to develop a player as wonderful on the ball as Aitana Bonmati. Instead it is about having belief and never letting that waver. It is about that indefinable quality that comes with a simple definition. It is about being the Mentality Monsters of international football. And that is some title to claim.
