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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 Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
How famous fans have reacted to the Lionesses' Euro 2025 victory
England 's Lionesses won the Women's Euros, triumphing over Spain in a penalty shootout after the match concluded 1-1 following extra time. Chloe Kelly scored the decisive penalty at Basel's St Jakob-Park, sparking widespread celebrations across the nation. The team received extensive praise from prominent figures, including the Prince of Wales, the King, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. Numerous celebrities, such as Piers Morgan, Rylan Clark, Amanda Holden, Alan Carr, Mel B, Stacey Solomon, and Shania Twain, also extended their congratulations. Coach Sarina Wiegman expressed her disbelief and immense pride, describing the tournament as 'chaotic' but praising her team's resilience.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Princess Charlotte and Prince William celebrate England Euro 2025 win in behind-the-scenes video
Princess Charlotte and Prince William celebrate England 's Euro 2025 win in a new behind-the-scenes video. William posted a video of his trip to Basel with his daughter to watch the Lionesses secure back-to-back European Championship titles. The Lionesses fought back from a one goal deficit against Spain at St Jakob‑Park in Basel to win Euro 2025 after a tense penalty shootout on Sunday (27 July), with William and Charlotte watching jubilantly from the stands. Sharing the video on the Prince and Princess of Wales Instagram account, William said: 'An incredible night for @lionesses and @england in Basel. Congratulations to Sarina, the team and all the support staff. Champions.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Leah Williamson believes England's 'vulnerability' aided Euro 2025 victory
Leah Williamson believes it took vulnerability from England to be able to unlock the belief that saw them win back-to-back European Championships in Basel. The Lionesses came back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with world champions Spain at St. Jakob Park, before defeating them 3-1 on penalties. It saw Williamson lift her second European title as England captain, becoming the only senior England captain to do so on foreign soil. But while buzzwords like resilience and a never-say-die attitude have followed their tournament trajectory, the 28-year-old suggests it was the willingness of her side to open themselves up to a belief in their own ability that proved the real key to success. 'You can have all of those words, and sport has all of those words circulating all the time and then you have people that are brave and put that into action and decide that you're going to go for it,' Williamson explained. 'You leave yourself vulnerable and all of those things. If you really, really try hard and it's not quite enough, that's an awful feeling. 'To put yourself out there like that, the reward is so great and we were brave enough to do it. I think that's the key to the team. 'Sarina [Wiegman] believes in us so much, it's hard not to believe that yourself. She said the same thing as she said before, 'We don't have to win, we want to win, and we're capable of winning so it's up to you girls,' and we did it.' England had made a habit of coming back from behind, closing a two-goal deficit against Sweden in the quarter-finals before coming back from 1-0 down against both Italy and Spain. But having lost their opening match against France, England had played must-win football all from the outset and while it may not always have been pretty, they became accustomed to getting the job done. 'It was a hard-fought tournament and after our first game we looked ourselves in the mirror, we knew what we had to do, and we did it, repeatedly,' said Williamson. 'And now we're back-to-back champions and that feels good. 'Thank you to those of you who stuck with us. We'll party for you tonight if you've got work tomorrow and if not, go and enjoy yourselves.' It was club team-mate Alessia Russo who had headed England level, after Mariona Caldentey gave Spain the lead after 25 minutes. A resolute defensive display from Williamson and co kept the scores level and as neither team could find a breakthrough, with Salma Paralluelo's profligacy in front of goal at times England's saving grace, it was to penalties once more. The Lionesses had found their route to success from a shootout against Sweden and would do so again, despite not having favoured penalty takers Russo or Georgia Stanway on the pitch. Instead captain Williamson was one of those to step up, and while she saw her penalty saved by Cata Coll, Chloe Kelly did the bidding to make England Euro 2025 champions. 'I said, 'Really?! I made the cut?'' said Williamson on being picked to take a penalty. 'I struggled the back end of the tournament with an injury and I was very grateful to get through the game. I didn't think it was going to carry me that far, and it did. 'I hit it a little bit too low, I would have gone higher if I could do it again. But on the way back, Chloe said to me, 'Don't worry about it.' If anybody is going to tell me that in a penalty shootout, I'll take it off her.'
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Honest Hayes and Wright shine as ITV and BBC go head-to-head for Euro 2025 final
Sarina Wiegman's team playing disjointedly, yet rescued by moments of inspiration and fortune. It is why 'Proper England', to use the Lionesses' Euro 2025 mission statement, wins record audiences, an expected worldwide audience of 46 million dragged through Sunday night drama, putting Poldark and Mr Darcy to shame. Across the BBC and ITV, Euro 2025 coverage has not been nearly so happy-clappy as the BBC's Team GB-Beebies, sub-Henman Hill Olympics cheerleading. Perhaps the cruelty of football as a game precludes that. Once the game is afoot, there are few hiding places. Still, there has been a cheeriness to both channels' female lead presenters – Laura Woods for ITV, Gabby Logan for BBC – so rarely seen in the male equivalent. None of the sardonic shrugging of a Gary Lineker, or for older viewers, Des Lynam, little English reserve. Decades of male national team failure made that a default setting, as did hammering players and managers alike. By contrast, the Lionesses had reached a third major final in a row, and as repeat Euro champions are an actual success story a nation can get fully behind. There's very little to hammer. Both choosing a lengthy buildup, ITV stole a 10-minute march, going early with the camera zooming to Woods in the centre circle of St Jakob-Park, Basel. 'Are you ready to do it all over again?' she asked, soon enough alongside the former Chelsea and current USA coach Emma Hayes, the ex-England international Karen Carney and Ian Wright, the former England striker having resumed his role as women's football favourite uncle. 'It's nothing to do with me,' Wrighty replied when depicted as a lucky charm. 'They've made it hard, I'm just pleased to be here.' 'To be honest, they're the best,' the never-less-than-honest Hayes said of the hot favourites Spain. By now, the BBC had kicked off with a good-luck message from Harry Kane, before then mashing up footage of England's progress with Focus Is Power, by Self Esteem, the south Yorkshire musician telling the camera: 'A little girl in England can grow up and say I want to be a footballer – the impossible made possible.' Logan was joined by the former Lionesses Ellen White and Steph Houghton and the former Manchester City player Nedum Onuoha. 'In Sarina, we trust,' White said as news of Wiegman's team selection arrived. Still more than a full hour to kick-off, including some of that soft-focus performance poetry beloved on such sporting occasions by TV execs. It dragged. Eventually Wrighty admitted: 'Yeah, I'm getting nervous now.' It was not an entirely wasted hour. On ITV, a reminder of what women's football fought off, footage showing the 1970s legend Rodney Marsh and the late doyen of football journalism Brian Glanville's rank dismissiveness, ending with the Lioness Beth Mead telling those who lived through this: 'You helped change the game for the better, be proud of that.' 'It's laughable now,' said Wrighty, visibly embarrassed by football-man forefathers. Finally, time for the commentators, Robyn Cowen on BBC, Seb Hutchinson on ITV, two safe pairs of hands, the former England goalkeeper Rachel Finnis-Brown alongside Cowen, the fine tactical toothcomb of Lucy Ward, once of Leeds, accompanying Hutchinson. 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 'England almost finding a way through,' Hutchinson's baritone growled during one early near-miss. Commentating on such matches isn't easy; willing on one side while trying to maintain a soupçon of neutrality, all while hoping to nail the moments that matter. 'It's a gorgeous Spain goal,' Cowen said as Mariona Caldentey scored. 'Too easy,' Ward said. By half-time, despite the talismanic Chloe Kelly replacing James, the mood was sombre. 'We've been totally off it,' Wrighty lamented. 'England lack freshness,' explained Hayes. Alessia Russo's goal – and name – received the same reaction from both commentators. 'Russoooo!' roared Robyn. So did Seb. 'Never write England off!' he bellowed. By now his growls were recalling the great Brian Moore. Cowen said 'time seems to be slowing down' as extra time approached. 'England were never going to make this comfortable, I can't bear it,' Woods said. Hayes said: 'I love it.' As the cost of mistakes grew, the game's entertainment values became more slasher movie than high-class narrative. 'I'm not sure this is good for our health,' Cowen said before the unfailing dopamine hit of penalties arrived. 'I just can't do it again,' White said. 'A huge moment for Hannah Hampton,' Cowen said after the keeper's first save. 'Calm Niamh Charles,' Hutchinson roared before next: 'Hampton, all the way.' England had grabbed the initiative. Cue Kelly. 'The legendary Lionesses,' Hutchinson said. 'Now that is proper English,' Cowen said. Both had successfully landed the words they had waited so long to be able to say.
