Soccer-Euro 2025 a 'fresh start' for youthful England, says James
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Women's International Friendly - England Training - St. George's Park, Burton upon Trent, Britain - June 23, 2025 England's Lauren James during training Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File Photo
(Reuters) -The Women's Euro 2025 campaign will be more like a fresh start than a title defence for England with the team full of young players looking to prove themselves on the big sage, forward Lauren James said.
James, who made her senior international debut just over a month after England won the European title in 2022, has recovered from the hamstring injury which sidelined her since April in time for next month's continental campaign.
"A fresh start, a bit like a new era ... hungry girls wanting to do well," the 23-year-old told The Guardian.
'It's not really about defending a title because it's a completely different team. This team's got a lot of youth in it and this will be some people's first big tournament," added James, who has scored seven goals in 27 appearances for England.
England begin their Group D campaign against France on July 5, followed by games against Netherlands and Wales.
The tournament runs from July 2-27.
(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
15 minutes ago
- The Star
Soccer-FC Barcelona sells bonds, restructures stadium-revamp debt
A silhouette of a woman walks past behind a FC Barcelona's logo at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, March 24, 2016. REUTERS/Albert Gea MADRID (Reuters) -FC Barcelona said on Friday it was selling 424 million euros ($498 million) in bonds as part of a deal to restructure the debt it contracted for its Camp Nou stadium renovation that allows it to postpone the first repayment to 2033 from 2028. The Spanish football club had secured 1.45 billion euros ($1.70 billion) in financing in 2023 from 20 investors including Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan to overhaul its ageing stadium. The men's first team is scheduled to play a friendly at Camp Nou on August 10 in a partial reopening. The club said in a statement that Goldman Sachs, acting as financial adviser, had facilitated the restructuring of the 424-million-euro debt tranche, allowing the full debt to be repaid from 2033 to 2050. Under the original 2023 deal, the club had been due to pay back investors in progressive tranches - after five, seven, nine, 20, and 24 years. "The club is fulfilling the necessary steps to ensure a gradual and staggered repayment," FC Barcelona said. The average cost of the refinanced amount stands at 5.19%. Barcelona expects the modernised stadium to boost annual revenues by more than 200 million euros through sponsorship deals, naming rights, ticket sales, catering, VIP services, and events. ($1 = 0.8521 euros) (Reporting by Inti Landauro and Corina Pons; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
The Star
29 minutes ago
- The Star
Tennis-Injured Hurkacz withdraws from Wimbledon
FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 15, 2025 Poland's Hubert Hurkacz in action during his quarter final match against Tommy Paul of the U.S. REUTERS/Aleksandra Szmigiel (Reuters) -Poland's Hubert Hurkacz has been forced to withdraw from Wimbledon after failing to recover from surgery, the former world number six said on Friday. Hurkacz has not played since he withdrew from the Libema Open earlier this month due to a lower back injury, with the tournament's fifth seed forced to take two medical timeouts in a first-round victory before he withdrew. Hurkacz also underwent meniscus surgery on his right knee after retiring from his second-round match at Wimbledon last year, where he was the seventh seed, forcing him to skip the Olympics as well. "Together with my team, I've made the decision to withdraw from this year's Wimbledon," Hurkacz said in a statement. "During preparations, my body reacted – synovial membrane irritation – which is part of the recovery process from my surgery. It needs rest and treatment, and I need to listen to my body." The Wimbledon draw was made earlier on Friday and Hurkacz was set to play Briton Billy Harris in the first round of the grasscourt Grand Slam, which begins on Monday. (Reporting by Rohith Nair in BengaluruEditing by Toby Davis)
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Messi's PSG reunion, Real Madrid face Juventus in Club World Cup last 16
FROM Inter Miami's Lionel Messi facing former side Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid meeting Juventus and Chelsea taking on Benfica, AFP Sport looks ahead to the Club World Cup last 16. Palmeiras v Botafogo Saturday, June 28, in Philadelphia (1600 GMT) All four Brazilian representatives reached the last 16 and at least one will be in the quarter-finals, as Palmeiras and Botafogo face each other. Botafogo are the reigning Brazilian and South American champions and beat European champions PSG on the way to qualifying from their group at Atletico Madrid's expense. Sao Paulo side Palmeiras -- featuring Brazil prodigy and future Chelsea winger Estevao Willian -- won their group and are above Botafogo in the Brazilian league. However, Botafogo are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Palmeiras, including the two legs of a Copa Libertadores last-16 tie last year. Benfica v Chelsea Saturday, June 28, in Charlotte (2000 GMT) Enzo Maresca's Chelsea finished second in their group but avoided a strong Bayern Munich side by doing so, pitting them against Benfica. The Portuguese powerhouses, who boast veteran playmaker Angel Di Maria, edged the German giants in their final group game. Benfica will believe they can upset their inconsistent Premier League opposition and former Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez. New Chelsea striker Liam Delap is looking to continue adding to his tally after getting off the mark in the group stage. Paris Saint-Germain v Inter Miami Sunday, June 29, in Atlanta (1600 GMT) Messi's Inter Miami were a surprise package in the group stage, beating Porto on their way to progressing to the last 16, but a late collapse against Palmeiras meant they finished second and must face the Argentine playmaker's former side PSG. This season PSG ended a long wait to win the Champions League for the first time and Luis Enrique's side are expected to vanquish their MLS opponents, but Botafogo beat them in the group stage to prove they are not untouchable. Flamengo v Bayern Munich Sunday, June 29, in Miami (2000 GMT) Brazilian side Flamengo stunned Chelsea in the group phase to claim top spot but must overcome the might of Vincent Kompany's Bayern if they are to progress. With Harry Kane, Michael Olise and a Thomas Mueller looking to end his time at Bayern with a new trophy, the possession-hungry Bundesliga giants have as much firepower as anyone left in the tournament. Highly rated Flamengo coach Filipe Luis has his work cut out to keep Bayern at bay. Inter Milan v Fluminense Monday, June 30, in Charlotte (1900 GMT) Recent runners-up in the Champions League, Inter ground out wins over Urawa Red Diamonds and River Plate to finish top of their group and will now hope to avoid becoming the latest European team to stumble against Brazilian opposition. Fluminense, of Rio, held Borussia Dortmund en route to qualifying for this stage and will be full of motivation to claim a major scalp against Cristian Chivu's side. Manchester City v Al Hilal Monday, June 30, in Orlando (0100 Tuesday, July 1) City come into the knockout phase in ominous form after being the only team at the tournament to win all three group games. They have scored 11 times in their last two matches, with a 5-2 destruction of Juventus coming after they put six past Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates. A game against Al Hilal, the 2021 Asian champions, will give City no reason to be afraid, even if the Saudi club boast numerous former stars of leading European leagues, including Joao Cancelo. Real Madrid v Juventus Tuesday, July 1, in Miami (1900) This is a clash between two traditional European titans who have met 21 times before. There have been two Champions League finals between the clubs, both won by Real. A 5-2 defeat for Juventus against Manchester City suggests they may find the going tough against Madrid. Real are adapting to life under a new coach in Xabi Alonso, who experimented with a three-man defence against Salzburg. He will hope to have Kylian Mbappe back after the Frenchman missed the group stage with illness. Borussia Dortmund v Monterrey Tuesday, July 1, in Atlanta (0100 Wednesday, July 2) Dortmund coach Niko Kovac has not held back on expressing his feelings about having to play in extreme heat at the tournament so he will be happy the game against Mexican side Monterrey is at the covered and air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Despite their complaints Dortmund have grown into the tournament. They face former Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos and a Monterrey team that has impressed, notably a creditable draw against Inter Milan.
