logo
England's substitutes have become a tight-knit group at Euro 2025, says Kelly

England's substitutes have become a tight-knit group at Euro 2025, says Kelly

Straits Times16-07-2025
ZURICH - Forward Chloe Kelly, who came off the bench to score a 110th-minute winner in the Euro 2022 final, said England's substitutes had become a tight-knit group at this year's tournament with their own WhatsApp group and goal celebration.
With the defending champions playing Sweden in the Euro 2025 quarter-finals on Thursday, Kelly, whose shirt-waving celebration was the defining image of the last final, described the camaraderie among England's super subs.
Beth Mead and Aggie Beever-Jones scored as substitutes in England's 6-1 thrashing of Wales, and both made a beeline for the bench, snapping their fingers.
"A little group of us have a group chat, the finishers as you called it, and the positive 'clicks' we called it on the bench," Kelly said at England's training base in Zurich.
"You've probably seen we all click (our fingers), and everyone's like, 'What are they doing?'
"We said if one of us comes on and scores, let's do that as our celebration," she added.
"We work really hard on the training pitch and in the gym. Probably this sometimes goes unnoticed, but it's about sticking together, being at our best for when called upon, and training hard to get the best out of each other."
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore July BTO launch to have over 4,600 balance flats, 2 BTO projects with under than 3-year wait
Singapore Baby died after mum took abortion pills and gave birth in toilet; coroner records an open verdict
Singapore Acute psychiatry services to be expanded across all healthcare clusters: MOH
Singapore Alleged Toa Payoh cat killer and abuser handed new charge of torturing sixth cat
Singapore 'Kpods broke our marriage, shattered our children': Woman on husband's vape addiction
Singapore Asia-Pacific will need over 230k new pilots, 250k aircraft maintenance technicians by 2042: ICAO chief
Business Tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter Kuok Hui Kwong appointed CEO of Shangri-La Asia
Multimedia Telling the Singapore story for 180 years
The image of the 27-year-old Arsenal forward whirling her shirt above her head after her goal at Wembley is among the most renowned in European women's football.
Kelly knows that there are football fans with tattoos of that image. The notoriety she has received since then took some adjusting to, she said.
"But I'm just me, a girl from West London enjoying football, and that's what I'll continue to be throughout my career," she said. "I just love the game of football, and hopefully we can have many special memories as England together."
Kelly still watches the video of that goal, a tap-in from close range, on YouTube.
"I think it's just a special memory for me, one that I watch quite often if I ever need a little smile," Kelly said. "It's an incredible memory for me and my family. My mum sends it to me quite often as well. So it's nice to have such a special memory at an incredible stadium like Wembley."
There was concern earlier this year that Kelly might not make Sarina Wiegman's Euros squad because she was barely playing at Manchester City. She publicly expressed a desire to move ahead of January's transfer window, and Arsenal signed her first on a loan spell and then a free transfer after her City contract expired. REUTERS
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

England's bulldog spirit v Spanish flair - who will prevail at Women's Euro?
England's bulldog spirit v Spanish flair - who will prevail at Women's Euro?

Straits Times

time8 hours ago

  • Straits Times

England's bulldog spirit v Spanish flair - who will prevail at Women's Euro?

England versus Spain, a now familiar final, for both men and women. Thus far, Spain's rich football culture has twice prevailed over England's bulldog spirit. No matter the gender of the English footballer, their exhaustedly chasing their tail as the Spaniards stroke the ball around is now part of the national psyche. On July 27, in Basel, Switzerland, England's Lionesses are reunified with Spain, whose 1-0 World Cup Final victory two years ago in Sydney was far more comprehensive than the scoreboard suggested. Sarina Wiegman, the Dutch coach who converted a talented, well-funded and still evolving England team into European champions in 2022, found few answers to Spain's pressing and passing.

England seek revenge against Spain as rivals meet in Euro 2025 final
England seek revenge against Spain as rivals meet in Euro 2025 final

Straits Times

time13 hours ago

  • Straits Times

England seek revenge against Spain as rivals meet in Euro 2025 final

England coach Sarina Wiegman talks to her players before extra time in their semi-final clash against Italy. BASEL – England are aiming to retain their title and avenge defeat by Aitana Bonmati's Spain in the Women's World Cup final two years ago, when the rivals meet again on July 27 to decide who will win Euro 2025. The showdown in Basel promises to be a fascinating contest between a Spain side looking to add the continental crown to their world title, and an England team who can secure back-to-back European Championship victories. Spain beat England 1-0 in Sydney to win the World Cup for the first time, and another victory for La Roja in their latest clash would cement their status as the dominant force in women's international football. 'We have so much respect for them, but we also believe in ourselves, that we can really step up,' said England's Ella Toone on July 25. Toone, 25, scored the first goal for the Lionesses when they beat Germany 2-1 after extra time at Wembley to win the last Women's Euros three years ago, and has played a key role in Switzerland on their run to a third straight major tournament final. 'It is amazing. To make three consecutive finals for England is something that we can all be so proud of,' she said at the team's base in Zurich. That remarkable run has come under the management of Sarina Wiegman, the Dutch coach who took charge in 2021 and immediately turned them into contenders. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Cambodia calls for ceasefire with Thailand after deadly clashes Asia Behind deadly Thai-Cambodian clashes, a bitter spat between two dynastic leaders Multimedia Lights dimmed at South-east Asia's scam hub but 'pig butchering' continues Business Banking and finance jobs will change but won't disappear as AI becomes the new normal: Accenture Sport Mikkel Lee gets back up to speed as Singapore swimmers eye 2028 Olympics spots Business How parents can prevent disputes over their properties Asia Hottest 'ticket' in Jakarta? Young Indonesians compete for a slot at this novel club Singapore Kopi, care and conversation: How this 20-year-old helps improve the well-being of the elderly 'She is a great manager, someone we all have a lot of belief in and we know we are in good hands,' added Toone of Wiegman, who also won the Euros with her native Netherlands in 2017. It has not been an easy road to the final for England this time, with the Lionesses coming back from the brink of elimination more than once. Their title defence started with a 2-1 defeat by France in their opening group game three weeks ago. They recovered to reach the knockout stages, but then required a remarkable comeback from two goals down to eventually beat Sweden on penalties in the quarter-finals. They then trailed to Italy in the semi-finals until a 96th-minute goal by Michelle Agyemang forced extra time, and Chloe Kelly scored the winner just as another shoot-out loomed. 'The belief in the squad, the resilience and the togetherness in this group is just so special,' said Kelly. But it remains to be seen if that resilience will be enough against a brilliant Spain side led by reigning Ballon d'Or winner Bonmati. The Barcelona midfielder scored the extra-time winner as Spain edged Germany in the last four to reach a first-ever European Championship final. 'All the hard work we have put in has paid off,' said coach Montse Tome. Spain could have as many as seven starters who featured in that game in Sydney, including Alexia Putellas – she was only a bit-part player at the World Cup as she recovered from a knee injury, but Bonmati's predecessor as Ballon d'Or winner has been much more influential here. The theme of revenge could also apply to the Spaniards, who were knocked out of the last Euros by England, going down in extra time in the quarter-finals. If they come out on top they will be the first nation to win the Women's World Cup and Euros back-to-back since Germany in 2007 and 2009. AFP

England coach Wiegman has learned to enjoy the good times
England coach Wiegman has learned to enjoy the good times

Straits Times

time19 hours ago

  • Straits Times

England coach Wiegman has learned to enjoy the good times

ZURICH - Sarina Wiegman sang a celebratory song in her native Dutch when England clinched a spot in the Euro 2025 final. She attempted to high-five assistant Darren Ward, but missed. She admitted she planned to treat herself with a "glass of something nice." If England's women's coach was reserved when hired in 2021, she said she has grown into the role, and her passion has been on full display at the Euros, particularly through two nail-biting knockout victories in which the Lionesses were on the brink of elimination. "First of all, my English has improved, so I understand a lot more, but also you learn more about people you work with," she said on Friday. "You learn more again about yourself and while I'm always working on developing the team, I always try to keep developing myself. "What I really wanted to do over all these years is try to enjoy it a little bit more, you have to be focused in this job, but you need to celebrate the moments that are good, it's really nice." As England get ready to contest their third successive major final on Sunday, when they face world champions Spain in the Euro 2025 showpiece, Wiegman's players have described her as a second mum -- direct and demanding but caring and supportive. Ella Toone said the coach has been kind-hearted in the midfielder's first major tournament after the death of her father. Aggie Beever-Jones said after England's loss to France in their Euro opener, Wiegman put a consolatory arm around her and explained her reasons for not playing her in the game. Midfielder Keira Walsh called her "one of the best managers I've played for in terms of trying to make everyone feel loved". "It's a really difficult job when you're in a tournament, and obviously people want to play, people aren't, but she really, really cares about the human side," Walsh said. "Another thing that you notice when you play for her is how calm she is. It makes a massive difference in the 95th minute when you're losing 1-0, and you look to the side and she's very calm." Wiegman said the job can be a difficult balance. "I'm a caring person, so maybe that's the part, I care about them but at the same time I'm the coach, I'm making these hard decisions at the moment," she said. On Sunday, Wiegman will become the first person, in men's or women's soccer, to have coached teams in five consecutive major tournament finals. The 55-year-old, who is under contract through the 2027 World Cup, guided her native Netherlands to two finals before continuing that run with Euro 2022 champions England. Football Association executive Mark Bullingham said they will not let Wiegman leave for any amount of money, and Wiegman certainly does not sound like she is going anywhere. "I'm sorry, I'm still learning English but yes I have (fallen in love) with England," Wiegman said. "Otherwise I would not be sitting here with such a smile on my face. "This team has always shown so much resilience, I see that in abundance and I see that entirely through the prism of the Lionesses. They are absolutely the most resilient of people. They really want to work so hard and are so committed." REUTERS

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store