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Spanish royals gush about team's 'impressive generation of footballers' as they join Prince William and daughter Charlotte, 10, for highly-anticipated UEFA final in Switzerland

Spanish royals gush about team's 'impressive generation of footballers' as they join Prince William and daughter Charlotte, 10, for highly-anticipated UEFA final in Switzerland

Daily Mail​a day ago
The Spanish royals came out to support their nation's football team - as they arrived for a very highly-anticipated UEFA final in Switzerland this evening.
Princess Leonor, 19, and Sofia, 18 - daughters of the country's King Felipe and Queen Letizia - were proud as ever of their woman's football team as they made their way to St Jakob-Park in Basel, where their squad will be facing off the Lionesses tonight.
The Prince of Wales - along with ten-year-old Princess Charlotte - too were present at the momentous occasion.
Speaking to RTVE, the two sisters praised the players on the pitch and wished them luck.
'It's an impressive generation of footballers,' Infanta Sofia said, adding that she wanted to recreate the magic of Spain's victory against England at Stadium Australia in Sydney two years ago - a match she attended with her mother.
Elsewhere, Leonor praised the team for being inspired with 'energy and confidence'.
The eldest of Felipe's daughters was smart of the occasion in a sophisticated blue blazer, styling her blonde tresses in relaxed waves.
Meanwhile her younger sister repped Spain's signature colour with a scarlet scarf won over an elegant beige trench.
She styled her chestnut locks in a sleek, straightened look.
In a social media post shared ahead of tonight's match, Prince William had said: 'Good luck to the Lionesses tomorrow.
'The nation is so proud you are through to the final, after some stunning comebacks! We are all cheering you on!'
His daughter Charlotte was snapped this afternoon standing close to her father in a sweet blue polka dot dress.
The Royal Family also kicked off well-wishes this morning with a post that read 'Let's go girls!!' as fans all over the nation decked out windows with England flags.
William was joined by Leonor, and was pictured chatting to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin as the royals stood side by side.
The prince and Mr Ceferin could be seen smiling together as they looked on into the distance ahead of the big match.
It comes as the boyfriend of England star Ella Toone backed the Lionesses today ahead of their big game tonight where the squad will seek 'redemption' in the Women's Euro Final.
Joe Bunney uploaded a post to social media today which he captioned 'Big day ahead. Redemption time. Come on girls' in reference to the team's nailbiting loss to Spain in the 2023 World Cup Final.
England's women now have the opportunity to seek their revenge as they play the country tonight.
Supporters watching the match in Basel, Switzerland were also pictured kitted out head-to-toe in red and white.
In a post uploaded to X this morning the Royal Family shared a clip of guardsmen performing the iconic England anthem 'It's coming home' outside Buckingham Palace.
The accompanying caption read: 'Let's go girls!! Wishing the very best of luck to the Lionesses in the Women's Euro Final this evening.'
Downing Street also shared in the football fever as it decked outs its railing with bunting and displayed the flag of St George in its windows.
Number 10 said: 'Good luck today, Lionesses. Let's bring it home.'
Speaking to MailOnline at Wembley, where fans have gathered to show their support ahead of watching a livestream of the match, supporters told of their 'excitement' insisting 'we're going to win'.
Sophie McCusker, who was joined by her three friends outside the stadium said: 'We've come from Liphook, which is a small village, and are huge football fans. This is the biggest game of the ear. We're so excited.
In contrast, Katie Fuller and Charlotte Brown, both 25, said they hadn't any predictions for the score and 'don't want to put any energy into it' and they 'didn't want it to go wrong'.
Charlotte said: 'We were just out in Switzerland to watch the Norway game - it was wild. There were loads of English fans there. Some men as well, so it is happening. Men are coming. The atmosphere is gonna be insane.
'The atmosphere is going to be electric in there, we've been to the games at Wembley before so this is definitely the place to be.'
Father and daughter John, 60, and Emma, 25, were also out enjoying the pre-match buzz.
Emma said: 'We're local so we come to BoxPark all the time, the atmosphere in there is electric.'
Her father, John, added: 'It's very different from the men's, much more friendly. It's better, more enjoyable. No drinks being thrown about or drugs, people are just there for a good time. It should be taken more seriously, hopefully if we win tonight it will all change.'
The pair said they predicted a 2-1 win to England hoping the team score early and 'Spain won't be hogging the ball like in the man's games'.
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Love Island villa is rocked by family day as Meg's mum and sister GRILL Dejon and brand him a 'player'
Love Island villa is rocked by family day as Meg's mum and sister GRILL Dejon and brand him a 'player'

Daily Mail​

time16 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Love Island villa is rocked by family day as Meg's mum and sister GRILL Dejon and brand him a 'player'

The Love Island villa was in for a shock over the weekender as the Islanders' families touched down in Mallorca. After some heartwarming reunions, Megan Moore's mum and sister, Nathalie and Paige, arrived alongside Dejon Noel Williams' mum and sister, Demelza and Gene. But their meeting didn't go quite as smooth, with Nathalie and Paige immediately grilling Meg's boyfriend Dejon. In awkward scenes, Meg defended Dejon as her mum and sister warned her that she 'lets him away with a lot', as well as branding him a 'player'. Paige also went on to call out how Dejon's recoupling speeches always follow the same pattern. The moment sent viewers wild as they couldn't believe how honest, and brutal, Meg's family were being - as well as sharing their shock that she didn't want to hear it. After sitting down to chat, in unison Nathalie and Paige yelled: 'Where's "our Meg"?' Meg's sister Paige wanted answers, saying to Meg: 'You let him get away with a lot though, why?' 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Girl you're not married, stop with this excuse and LISTEN,'; 'Meg's sister clocked straight away that dejon says the same thing in every recoupling speech,'; 'Your mum is telling you dejon is manipulative and a player and you respond with 'well he's my boyfriend now'. meg doesn't want to be saved,'; 'If I was Meg, I would be panicking. Her family do not like him,'; 'Meg's sister is clocking but u can't save someone who don't wanna be saved,'; 'Meg's family are clocking that god damn tea at 9.49 on this day. They're preaching the twitter gospel to Meg. Listen Meg and maybe you won't be a mug - you can be a kettle and boil over at this man,'; 'And the fact that meg is defensive in front of her mom and sister but they can literally see straight through dejon!!!'; Fans praised Meg's mum and sister for calling out Dejon, as they took to X, formerly Twitter, to say: 'Even when Meg's family say Dejon has been the biggest flirt and she has let him off the hook too easy' 'OOH MEG! 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Sarina Wiegman urges more investment in women's game at Downing Street reception
Sarina Wiegman urges more investment in women's game at Downing Street reception

North Wales Chronicle

time21 minutes ago

  • North Wales Chronicle

Sarina Wiegman urges more investment in women's game at Downing Street reception

After successfully defending their European crown with a penalty shoot-out victory over Spain in the tournament's showpiece in Basel on Sunday evening, the England team flew home to attend a reception hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock. The team arrived just before 7pm, with Number 10 decorated for the occasion with St George's flags draped over windows and bunting along the railings. As Wiegman rose to speak to those gathered in the Downing Street garden she joked that 'this is different from standing next to a pitch'. She added: 'I have to make my apologies (for giving) you lots of heart attacks. You all made it through and we made it through and that's why we're here now. 'The team is just incredible, we won the Euros but making the final, we're already legendary, what the team has done and the team behind the team. 'Thank you so much for having us here. It's very, very special to be here and to be in this very nice garden with the way you set it up with all these pictures, it makes it more special, it's the first moment it sinks in a little bit because it was surreal what happened last night.' Wiegman, speaking a few hours before the Government announced a new package of measures to boost access to grassroots football, used the moment to call for further investment in the game. 'This incredible team won the Euros and then straightaway sent a letter to you, the Government, asking for attention and asking for access to football for all girls,' Wiegman said. 'Steps have been taken but we're not done yet, we have to keep moving forward and we need a little bit more. 'I heard we need to change some things about taxes…I think we have that confirmation tonight. So let's move forward. 'We need some more investment. We're not there yet. In England we're up there but England needs to stay the trailblazer, it needs to be the big example. The players first but also the FA, the clubs, the Government, the country, the fans – let's keep being the trailblazers.' In her own speech, Rayner congratulated Wiegman's team on defending their title 'with grit, with determination and with skill'. 'You roared, and I know I wasn't the only one roaring with you,' Rayner said. Chloe Kelly scored the decisive penalty for England in the shoot-out after goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made two outstanding saves. The game had gone to extra time and spot-kicks after Alessia Russo cancelled out the opener from Arsenal team-mate Mariona Caldentey as it finished 1-1 following extra time. Welcome home, #Lionesses! 👋 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 28, 2025 After almost a month of competition in Switzerland, the team's plane branded with the word 'home' touched down at Southend Airport on Monday afternoon. In a post on X, the team shared a photo of the Euros trophy draped in an England flag on a seat on the plane. Holding the trophy, captain Leah Williamson was first to step off the plane alongside Wiegman. Outside the airport, crowds were lined up to welcome the team and the trophy back home. A homecoming open-top bus parade follows in central London on Tuesday, where there will be a procession along The Mall and the celebration will finish with a staged ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace. A trip to the Palace or Windsor Castle may be on the cards for the winning squad as it is understood possible plans for a reception in the autumn are being explored by royal aides. Defender Jess Carter has not joined her team-mates for the celebrations in London as she has returned to the United States ahead of Gotham FC's NWSL match against the Chicago Stars on Saturday.

The Guardian view on the Lionesses' Euro 2025 triumph: the comeback queens will inspire future generations
The Guardian view on the Lionesses' Euro 2025 triumph: the comeback queens will inspire future generations

The Guardian

time28 minutes ago

  • The Guardian

The Guardian view on the Lionesses' Euro 2025 triumph: the comeback queens will inspire future generations

Relentlessly, exhilaratingly, Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses have gone where no group of English footballers has ever gone before. Sunday's heroically hard-fought victory over the world champions, Spain – in a Euro 2025 final which required yet another comeback – was the first successful defence of an international title by a senior England team. It was also the first time a major trophy has been acquired away from the home comforts of Wembley. That gives the measure of the achievement. What will live long in the memory was the manner of it. Well beaten by France in the group stages, 2-0 down to Sweden late in the quarter-final, 1-0 down to Italy in injury time in the semi-final, 1-0 down to Spain at half-time in the final, a remarkable group of players seemed somehow to thrive in such adversity. Their spirit was epitomised by the dogged determination of 33-year-old Lucy Bronze, perhaps playing in her last big tournament, who revealed after the final that she had played throughout with a fractured shin. Courage of a different kind has been displayed by England's goalkeeper and Uefa's player of the match on Sunday, Hannah Hampton, who overcame a serious eye condition to fulfil her ambition of pursuing a football career. And by Jess Carter, the defender who suffered racist abuse earlier in the tournament, but ended it with a faultless performance in the final. The effervescent Chloe Kelly, who had considered quitting last season when her career was in the doldrums, had the last word as England's nerveless penalty-shootout match-winner. Increasingly, such inspirational sporting narratives are the things that young girls' dreams are made of. Research by the Football Beyond Borders charity suggests that the number of 13- to 18-year-olds who play and follow the game continues to grow. This summer's excitement will deliver another huge shot of adrenaline to the domestic women's game, which was already preparing for a different set of firsts. This season, Arsenal Women will break new ground by playing all of their Women's Super League (WSL) home games at the 60,000-capacity Emirates Stadium. Already, 15,000 season tickets have been sold. Everton Women will take over Goodison Park, one of English football's most beloved stadiums, as the men's team decamp to a new ground on the banks of the Mersey. The Lionesses effect, combined with new television contracts covering two fully professional divisions, and a new Sunday kick-off time designed to maximise exposure of the game, should pave the way for further growth. Challenges remain. As a slight drop-off in WSL attendances last season suggested, rapid bursts of growth driven by international success is not a reliable long-term strategy. The task in the future will be to maintain upward momentum, even when the England women's team is not sweeping all before it. And as more girls seek opportunities to play and pitches to play on, a grassroots infrastructure that has been historically geared to the requirements of men's and boys' teams needs an overhaul. That is for tomorrow, though. Once again the Lionesses have lit up an English summer, forging legends that will fire the imaginations of future generations of girls. The extraordinary Ms Wiegman, after winning the Euros first with her native Netherlands, has consolidated her position as by far the most successful England manager of all time. Even more significantly, she has empowered and inspired a formidable group of athletes to transform the profile of women's sport in this country. Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.

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