Lionesses to hold victory parade after historic Euro 2025 win
The ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial will be hosted by former England star Alex Scott.Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the Lionesses' homecoming parade would be a chance for fans to "cheer these heroes home" after the team had "done our country proud".Hundreds of fans holding flags and dressed in England kits waited outside Southend Airport on Monday to catch a glimpse of the triumphant squad.England defended their European title with a 3-1 penalty shootout victory in the Euro 2025 final in Basel on Sunday.Chloe Kelly scored the winning spot-kick following two saves from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, helping the squad become the first English team to win a major tournament on foreign soil.Back home, more than 16 million people saw the match live on TV - the most-watched television moment of the year so far."The Lionesses have brought it home again," Rayner said during the No 10 event. "And what a fantastic feeling that is. Champions of Europe again."England manager Sarina Wiegman also gave a short speech - joking that being at Downing Street was "different from standing next to a pitch".
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who was in Scotland on Monday meeting US President Donald Trump, held a video call with Wiegman and some of the England squad during the reception."It's lovely here," the England coach could be heard telling Sir Keir during the five-minute call, as she thanked him for supporting the team during the Euros.The event came hours before ministers announced plans to double the amount of time women's and girls' football teams get allocated at government-funded sports facilities.The government previously pledged to spend £900m on major UK sporting events and grassroots facilities - including £400m for new and upgraded sports facilities over the next four years.Ministers say a new taskforce will bring together leaders from across sport and academia with the aim of replicating the progress made in women's football in other sports.Also on Monday, King Charles III paid tribute to the Lionesses, saying they had the Royal Family's "warmest appreciation and admiration".
It is understood plans for a reception in the autumn at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle are being explored by officials.Asked about calls for the team to be recognised with honours, the prime minister's spokesman stressed there was an independent process for nominations.But he added: "I hope we'll see lots of nominations for this incredible winning team."Downing Street dismissed calls for an extra bank holiday following the victory, with the spokesman saying: "If we had a bank holiday every time the Lionesses win we'd never go to work."Royal Mail has, however, announced plans to mark England's win with a special postmark, which will be applied to stamped mail across the UK from Monday to Friday.It reads: "It's Home. Again. Champions of Europe 2025. England Women's Football Squad."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
3 minutes ago
- The Independent
Marlie Packer cleared for opening match of England's World Cup campaign
England flanker Marlie Packer will be available to feature in the opening match of the World Cup after being handed a one-match ban for her red card in Saturday's win over Spain. The 35-year-old was sent off in the second half of the Red Roses' 97-7 warm-up victory in Leicester following a clumsy clearout on the left leg of Spain full-back Claudia Pena. Packer's suspension rules her out of her country's final warm-up match, away to France on Saturday. Hosts England begin the World Cup on Friday, August 22 against the United States in Sunderland. In determining the sanction, World Rugby's foul play review committee noted Packer accepted foul play occurred but she did not agree the offence warranted a red card. Her challenge, which did not result in injury to Harlequins player Pena, was deemed to be 'reckless'. The committee decided the offence warranted a two-match ban but opted to award full 50 per cent mitigation. England's 15-try success at Welford Road was Packer's first match as captain since being replaced in the full-time role by Zoe Aldcroft in January. The Saracens forward, who has 111 Test caps, led the Red Roses to back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slams in 2023 and 2024 and is one of head coach John Mitchell's vice-captains.
The Independent
3 minutes ago
- The Independent
Eddie Howe hopes Alexander Isak will return to training with Newcastle
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is hoping to see striker Alexander Isak back in training in the coming days. Isak, who has been the subject of interest from Liverpool, has missed the Magpies' pre-season tour of Asia amid speculation over his future. Newcastle are now returning home after their trip concluded with a 1-1 draw against Tottenham in Seoul on Sunday and Howe hopes the Sweden international will report back as normal. Howe told The Chronicle after the game: 'Of course I'd like him to but whether or not he will, I don't know at this moment in time. 'Other people have been dealing with that situation back at home.' Sweden international Isak did not travel with the squad due to a thigh injury but the player reportedly wants to explore the possibility of a move. Newcastle rejected an offer of £110million from Liverpool for the 25-year-old, who has three years remaining on his contract and is valued by the club at £150million. Isak has trained with former club Real Sociedad while Newcastle have been away but is now thought to be returning to the UK. Newcastle, meanwhile, are understood to have had a bid worth up to £69.7million for RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko rejected by the German club. Slovenia international Sesko has also been linked with Manchester United.
Daily Mail
3 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Chris Hughes suffers career blow as he's 'dropped from the BBC' ahead of major sporting coverage - after leaving ITV Racing following CBB stint
has reportedly been dropped from a huge sporting gig - this time on the BBC, following his Celebrity Big Brother stint and romance with JoJo Siwa. In a blow for Chris, 33, it's reported he has been axed from his presenting duties with BBC Sport. Since 2021, Chris had been a regular face of the BBC's Hundred cricket competition coverage, a format that appeals to younger viewers. With just days to go until this year's league kicks off, Chris has been snubbed from the hosting lineup. A BBC insider told The Sun: 'Chris has done a good job for four years, but we're going in a different direction. 'There will be more focus on the cricket this year, rather than promoting the Hundred as an entertainment show. 'Former England cricketers Alex Hartley and Isa Guha and will lead the presenting team, as they know the sport inside out. Rick Edwards from Radio Five Live will be used in the Chris Hughes role.' World Cup winners Isa Guha and Alex Hartley will anchor the coverage on TV, with Chris' role now being filled by BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast star Rick Edwards. Daily Mail has contacted reps for Chris, while the BBC declined to comment. It comes after the BBC told Chris in 2023 that his comment towards female cricketer Maitlan Brown during the BBC's coverage of The Hundred was 'not appropriate'. Chris was interviewing Southern Brave's Australian star during her side's innings against the Trent Rockets, in which he provided plenty of positivity about the women's game. However, he became sidetracked after Brown mentioned a recent team bonding session among the Brave stars. 'We watched Barbie the other night altogether and it was really good team bonding and the group is gelling really well together,' she said. 'That is the key to success I think in tournaments like this, how well and how quickly you can gel as a group.' Since 2021, Chris had been a regular face of the BBC's Hundred cricket competition coverage, a format that appeals to younger viewers (pictured hosting the racing on ITV) Cricket fans flocked to Twitter to blast the Love Island star for his awkward remark Hughes quipped in response: 'You're a little Barbie yourself innit, with your blue eyes.' Brown awkwardly laughed at the remark, before Hughes emulated Chris Gayle by saying: 'She's blushing now.' Cricket legend Gayle was criticised for his awful 'don't blush baby' remark during the Big Bash League in Australia back in 2016. The BBC have since confirmed that they have discussed the incident with Hughes. A spokesperson told Mail Sport: 'We have spoken to Chris and explained that his comment was not appropriate.' The news comes after it was reported earlier this year how Chris was leaving his role on ITV Racing in an apparent dispute over pay. Chris, who is a lifelong horse racing fan, had co-hosted coverage of the channels biggest events such as the Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot since 2019. The former Love Island hunk took part in the latest series of Celebrity Big Brother in April this year. Whilst locked in the spy house, he grew close to American singer and reality star JoJo, 22. After leaving the show, the pair later confirmed they had progressed from a platonic to a romantic relationship. Meanwhile, Chris was recently forced to hit back at trolls this weekend after they accused him of being a 'creep' and 'doing anything for fame' amid his romance with JoJo. Chris shared a slew of loved-up snaps with JoJo amid their long-distance relationship and penned in the caption: 'just everything - missing you.' Underneath one troll had commented saying: 'Does anybody else find this creepy.' Chris then responded to the woman named Pauline, saying: 'no Pauline, you're miserable, p**s off kindly.' She then responded: 'lol we see long it lasts.' He then continued in a second comment: 'yeah again, you don't need to speak, you don't follow me, respectfully do one thank you.' Chris had previously described JoJo as the 'love of his life' in a sweet interview, whilst also revealing the nickname JoJo has for his private parts in a shocking X-rated confession. The star told E! News last month: 'She calls my balls Jimmy and Timmy. So she must like Jimmy and Timmy,' adding that she loves 'the rhyming lingo.'
