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Spectator
27 minutes ago
- Spectator
Women's football is better without the politics
England did two remarkable things in Basel last night: winning an international title overseas and doing it by that most un-British method, penalties. You have to hand it to Chloe Kelly's heroes, it was quite a triumph. 'I'm proud to be English right now' said the scorer of the winning goal in successive Euros – not something you hear too often these days. The scenes at the end were glorious. It crossed my mind that Donald Trump would have loved to be in the huddle as the trophy was held aloft, as he was with Chelsea a few weeks' ago (on second thoughts, perhaps not a great idea). It was hard not to feel sorry for the Spanish, who looked utterly devastated, with insult added to injury by Queen's 'We are the Champions (of the World)' sung lustily by the Lionesses, when, as commentator Ian Wright pointed out, Spain are the champions of the world. Now, of course, comes the hype. The media will tell us that the tournament was a glorious success but as always with women's football one must resist exaggeration. Walking around London yesterday I saw virtually no evidence that the nation was about to play in a major continental final. If pubs were planning on showing the game, they weren't advertising the fact. Most were still blaring out Oasis whose Wembley residency is about halfway through. The tournament as a whole was very well-attended but tickets were available for the final right up till kick off – for £50. According to YouGov research before the tournament the popularity of women's football remains limited despite the best efforts of the marketeers and hype mongers. Only between 11 and 20 per cent across the continent said they were interested in women's football (in England it's 17 per cent). An interesting finding is that it is women who are the hardest to persuade, with almost twice as many men expressing an interest. That might tick up a tad after last night, but for those looking for parity with the men's game – a foolish, irrelevant pursuit – there is a long, long way to go. We will also be told from public broadcasters, who see the women's game as a grand social engineering project, that the real winners from this tournament were women and girls around Europe and beyond who will be inspired to live out their dreams, be their best selves etc., unhindered by tradition and patriarchal norms. Nah, no thanks, not this time. The real and welcome message of this modestly successful tournament may well be that women's football is on the up, yes, but on its own merits as an entertaining sport, and nothing else. As evidence of this, there are signs that the virtual purdah that had descended during women's major tournaments, a ban on criticism and cynicism and gentle mockery, has ended. Rod Liddle described the general quality as 'abysmal' (a tad harsh perhaps) and he wasn't castigated or cancelled for doing so. Much hilarity was had at the nine missed (out of 14) penalties in the shoot-out versus Sweden ('I've taken Monday off in case it goes to penalties' was one choice comment about yesterday's game). There was some old-fashioned mildly chauvinistic fun had at the BBC's presenting desk and its resemblance to an ironing board. It felt like we were back in the 1980s. Also welcome was the total lack of controversy when in what might once have been a major talking point – England deciding they would stop taking the knee (despite racist abuse aimed at Jess Carter). I probably wasn't alone in being astonished to hear that England were still doing this – though in my case that's because I have calibrated my football viewing to start exactly at kick off, or slightly after, to avoid all pre-match propaganda. Perhaps the greater lassitude is a result of fatigue at the relentless pushing of the women's game by the broadcasters, coupled with a general retreat in the power of identity politics. There certainly seems to be a spirit of dissent and good old-fashioned honesty in the air – witness the criticism of the women's Wimbledon final and the distinct lack of sympathy for the ludicrous equal pay demands of the chronically unpopular WNBA. Most welcome of all perhaps is that in this tournament is that the politicians largely stayed out of it. There doesn't seem to have been any government presence at the final. Lisa Nandy came closest to trying to capitalise on England's success with a piece in the Telegraph wanging on about the female empowerment angle. The backlash in the comments was withering. It is unsurprising that Labour tread cautiously. Nandy and others are on record as struggling to define what a woman actually is, and with the Supreme Court ruling that sex means biological sex and therefore only biological women should be anywhere near women's sport, the hypocrisy of trying to bask in a female sporting victory is just too glaring. Women's football minus the politics. That is real progress and definitely something to celebrate.
The Independent
27 minutes ago
- The Independent
England win Euro 2025 – live: Lionesses reveal homecoming celebrations after penalty shootout victory
England women are European champions again after securing Euro 2025 glory by defeating world champions Spain in a dramatic penalty shootout in Basel. Chloe Kelly's winning spot kick and Hannah Hampton's saves proved decisive for the Lionesses in a gripping contest that ended 1-1 after extra-time. The Lionesses became the first England team in history to defend a major tournament title, but did it the hard way - as they had down throughout the tournament. will continue with a homecoming parade in London tomorrow. Sarina Wiegman paid tribute to her players to winning the most 'chaotic and ridiculous' tournament - while Lucy Bronze revealed she had played with a fractured tibia. The England players partied through the night after avenging their defeat to Spain in the 2023 World Cup final by making more history as England players. Will England have a trophy parade after winning Euro 2025? England defeated Spain in dramatic fashion after Chloe Kelly's winning penalty secured Women's Euro 2025 glory and now they will prepare for a parade in London. The Lionesses will show off their trophy on Tuesday 29 July after leaning on goalkeeper Hannah Hampton during the shootout, with the Chelsea shot-stopper thriving to deny Mariona Caldentey and Aitana Bonmati, while Salma Paralluelo missed the target completely. Will England have a trophy parade after winning Euro 2025? The Lionesses overcame world champions Spain to defend their European title after Hannah Hampton's saves and Chloe Kelly's penalty secured glory in Basel Jamie Braidwood28 July 2025 08:03 England hero Lucy Bronze reveals she played entire Euro 2025 with fractured tibia England defender Lucy Bronze revealed she played through the entirety of Euro 2025 with a fractured tibia after becoming a two-time European champion with the Lionesses. Bronze, 33, is the oldest member of England's squad and started all six games during the tournament, including their dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Spain in the final. Bronze also defied injury to play a key part in England's quarter-final comeback over Sweden. England hero Lucy Bronze reveals she played entire Euro 2025 with fractured tibia The right back revealed she had played through injury moments after becoming a two-time European champion with England Jamie Braidwood28 July 2025 08:02 Report: England only had one key trait over Spain – but it led them to Euro 2025 glory History repeated, once as another triumph, twice with force. Chloe Kelly again decided the European Championship for England, this time with a penalty of such ferocity that it fittingly reflected the fight and spirit of this team. It was proper grit, proper character… Yes, proper England, who remain European champions. Sarina Wiegman's side produced another miracle in this tournament, as she claimed a third successive winners' medal in the competition. These are all historic feats in themselves, but they are elevated by the manner of this glory, writes Miguel Delaney in Basel. England only had one key trait over Spain – but it led them to Euro 2025 glory England 1-1 Spain (England win 3-1 on pens): The Lionesses held their nerve in a shootout thanks to Hannah Hampton's two saves and Chloe Kelly's decisive spot kick in Basel Miguel Delaney28 July 2025 08:02 England wake up as Euro 2025 champions There may be some bleary eyes as England's players wake up this morning at their Zurich base - if they have even slept at all. But they are European champions again after a dramatic victory on penalties against Spain to become the first England team in history to defend a major title. Jamie Braidwood28 July 2025 08:00
The Independent
27 minutes ago
- The Independent
Extra bank holiday update as nation celebrates Lionesses' Euro 2025 triumph
England 's Lionesses are set to celebrate their historic Euros victory with an open-top bus parade through central London and a visit to Downing Street, though a bank holiday to mark the triumph is not currently planned. The team successfully defended their Euros title on Sunday, securing a dramatic penalty shootout win over Spain in the final held in Basel, Switzerland. Chloe Kelly netted the decisive spot-kick, following two crucial saves from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, sparking widespread jubilation among fans across the country and in dedicated fan zones. The King extended the royal family's "warmest appreciation and admiration" to the squad, adding a challenge: "The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can." Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock are scheduled to host the team at a Downing Street reception on Monday. A further homecoming celebration is slated for Tuesday, with a ceremony anticipated to take place outside Buckingham Palace. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed the team's triumph, saying: 'The Lionesses have once again captured the hearts of the nation. 'Their victory is not only a remarkable sporting achievement, but an inspiration for young people across the country. 'It stands as a testament to the determination, resilience and unity that define this outstanding team.' There will be an open-top bus parade along the Mall before the ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial, the FA said. Fans can attend for free and it will be broadcast live on BBC, ITV, and Sky. However, it is understood Downing Street has no plans for a bank holiday to mark the Lionesses' triumph. Supporters stood on tables, waved flags, threw drinks in the air and excitedly hugged each other as England claimed victory, while the Prince of Wales and Sir Keir watched on from the stands in Basel. Alessia Russo gave the Lionesses hope of retaining their Euros title with her second-half equaliser after Mariona Caldentey netted the opener for Spain in the 25th minute. In a statement posted on X after the game, Charles said: 'This brings you, your manager and all your support team my most heartfelt congratulations on winning the Euros 2025. 'For more years than I care to remember, England fans have sung that famous chant 'football's coming home'. 'As you return home with the trophy you won at Wembley three years ago, it is a source of great pride that, through sporting skill and awesome teamwork, the Lionesses have made those words ring true. 'For this, you have my whole family's warmest appreciation and admiration.' The King added: 'More than that, though, you have shown through your example over past weeks that there are no setbacks so tough that defeat cannot be transformed into victory, even as the final whistle looms. 'Well done, Lionesses.' A picture of the Prince of Wales with his arm around his daughter Princess Charlotte was posted to X following the presentation of the trophy to the Lionesses, with the caption 'champions of Europe'. The pair congratulated the team in a short statement, saying: 'What a game! Lionesses, you are the champions of Europe and we couldn't be prouder of the whole team. Enjoy this moment England.' The statement was the first message Charlotte has personally signed on the Prince and Princess of Wales 's X account. Tower Bridge was lit up in red and white following the Lionesses' victory, the City Bridge Foundation said. Sir Keir was the first to congratulate England on their win – posting on X: 'Champions! Congratulations Lionesses – what a team. What a game. What drama. 'You dug deep when it mattered most and you've made the nation proud. History makers.' William was spotted in the stands applauding and celebrating with those around him – including Princess Charlotte. As the presentation ceremony took place, the Prince of Wales was among those to congratulate star striker Michelle Agyemang on being named young player of the tournament. William exchanged words with Agyemang, appearing to say 'well played, fantastic, well done'. Agyemang, 19, who had one England cap before the tournament, scored crucial equalisers in the Lionesses' quarter-final and semi-final comebacks. There was non-stop applause in her home town of South Ockendon as fans saw the Arsenal forward step through a guard of honour to pick up her award. Supporters at her old club Brandon Groves AFC danced a conga line to the sounds of Vindaloo after England's victory. The club's vice-chairwoman, Paula Howes, said Agyemang will help give youngsters the 'motivation and drive' to progress from grassroots football to the top of the game. She said: 'I think she (Agyemang) has got that determination and that drive on the pitch, and the girls can connect with that. 'It is also knowing that she is a local girl as well, I think that helps give them the motivation and drive, to know that you can start at grassroots football and progress up to the higher level, if you work at it.' The National Autistic Society congratulated their ambassador Lucy Bronze on the Lionesses victory, adding: 'We hope she has inspired the next generation of autistic girls to follow their dreams.' Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy also gave her reaction to the win, saying: 'What an absolutely extraordinary achievement by our Lionesses – once again they have made history and united the country with pride and joy.' England's path to the final was marked by late drama. They sealed their spot with a last-gasp extra-time win over Italy, following a penalty shootout victory against Sweden in the quarter-finals after nearly crashing out in extra time.
