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Leah Williamson hopes England show they are no ‘flash in the pan' in Euros final

Leah Williamson hopes England show they are no ‘flash in the pan' in Euros final

The Lionesses forever transformed women's football in England when they lifted their first major trophy at their home European Championship in 2022, and now hope to become the nation's first senior football side to win one away from home.
Williamson is adamant everyone in camp is 'connected to what it means', but insisted the Lionesses remain unburdened by the weight of the nation's hopes.
One day to go! 😤 pic.twitter.com/NlTO7jwUS4
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 26, 2025
'The landscape keeps changing and we're trying to change with it,' said Williamson, when asked what she hoped their legacy would be after this tournament.
'I think that's a really hard thing to do and I think that proves the investment and the quality of the game in England is continuing to rise.
'You don't just want to be sort of a flash in the pan, like a memory and I think that when we spoke before 2022, we said it was the start of something.
'And I think we're still trying to play our role in that as well. So being here and being on this stage, we know how powerful that is and I hope that just continues to grow.
'The respect for the women's game, the respect for women and women's sport in general continues, and we can try our best to continue to elevate that.'
Williamson disagreed with England being branded as underdogs to Spain, who beat them in the 2023 World Cup final – England's first – and have played a flawless campaign so far.
The Lionesses, in contrast, suffered an opening defeat to France and required back-to-back late comebacks in the knockouts.
Sarina Wiegman's side, who beat Italy on Tuesday night, are coming into the contest with an statistically-favourable extra day's rest and hope to have a full squad at their disposal after Lauren James trained on Saturday morning.
Williamson admitted she would never take England's Wembley triumph three summers ago for granted.
But, she said: 'I think the beautiful thing about 2022 was that I'm not sure if any of us will ever be part of anything like that again, in terms of the change, in terms of the story, the journey, everything, but being away from home is special in a different way.
'You go out, you represent your country somewhere else and I think the weight of that is important to consider, because it sometimes adds a little extra.'
England, Williamson insisted, were staying measured, even under considerable pressure to make more history.
'I think we're very connected to what it means to the nation,' Williamson added. 'In that sense, we are connected as we can be, being away from home.
Basel, here we come 👋 #WEURO2025 final time. ⏱ pic.twitter.com/j9eko7x8Ru
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 26, 2025
'I think the opportunity of tomorrow and what is on offer is the best thing in football. We came to the tournament, we wanted to be here, we wanted to be in it until the end and have a chance to fight for that trophy.
'You can't do that until you get in the final. I think we don't necessarily carry the weight of it, how much it means to people, but we're aware of it because it means the same to us.
'You have a squad of excited, focused players. We recognise the opportunity and we will do everything we can to take it.'
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England fans watch on nervously as Lionesses fall behind in final
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England fans watch on nervously as Lionesses fall behind in final

Fans draped in England flags joined the Prince of Wales and his daughter Princess Charlotte in holding their heads in their hands as Mariona Caldentey put Spain 1-0 up in the final on Sunday. William and Charlotte were pictured in Switzerland for the Euros final as the royal family led the nation in wishing good luck to England's Lionesses. Shortly before kick-off, an image of the pair was posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales's X account with the caption 'let's go, Lionesses'. Let's go, @Lionesses! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) July 27, 2025 As Caldentey's header found the net in the 25th minute, William and Charlotte were pictured with their heads in their hands and crowds in fanzones across England fell silent as they watched proceedings. Before kick-off, supporters waved England flags and loudly sang the national anthem at Boxpark Croydon and star striker Michelle Agyemang's former team, Brandon Groves Community Club in Essex. Agyemang, 19, who had one England cap before the tournament, scored crucial equalisers in the Lionesses' quarter-final and semi-final comebacks. Ahead of the game, 11-year-old Violet Ingram, a left winger for Brandon Grove Emeralds, said: 'Seeing her (Agyemang) and the team just makes me feel like I can do anything I want to do.' The Prince of Wales, who is patron of the Football Association (FA), applauded the national anthem as he stood next to Charlotte in the stadium. In a show of support ahead of the final, the Band of the Grenadier Guards performed Three Lions on the Buckingham Palace forecourt, while the royal family's official X account posted: 'Wishing the very best of luck to the @Lionesses in the Women's Euro Final this evening.' William posted a good luck message on Saturday which read: 'Good luck to the Lionesses tomorrow. Let's go girls!! 💪🦁⚽️ Wishing the very best of luck to the @Lionesses in the Women's Euro Final this evening. — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 27, 2025 'The nation is so proud you are through to the final, after some stunning comebacks! We are all cheering you on! W.' After England beat Italy 2-1 in the semi-final in Geneva on Tuesday evening, the King and Queen wished the team their 'warmest congratulations'. Charles said: 'Knowing the Lionesses' fighting spirit, I suspect we are in for another thrilling encounter on Sunday. 'Your achievements continue to inspire countless girls and women across the nation, proving once again that with dedication and teamwork, anything is possible. 'Good luck, England. May you roar to victory once more. Charles R.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: 'Into the final and inspiring the nation. Let's bring it home.' He said the team had 'changed the game – breaking barriers, making history and inspiring the next generation.' 'Tonight, the whole nation will be behind them. Come on England!' Sir Keir said. The @Lionesses have changed the game — breaking barriers, making history and inspiring the next generation. Tonight, the whole nation will be behind them. Come on England! — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 27, 2025 Meanwhile, cricketer Joe Root wished the Lionesses' the 'very best of luck' in an online message, adding: 'It's been great to watch you play throughout the tournament.' Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson said the team has 'absolutely smashed it', adding that 'everybody is so proud of you'. Meanwhile, BBC Sport and ITV have secured the broadcasting rights for the Women's World Cup 2027, meaning the tournament will remain free-to-air for UK viewers. England's path to the final has been 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. The Lionesses will be looking for redemption against Spain, who edged them 1-0 in the 2023 Women's World Cup final. England boss Sarina Wiegman said the team is 'going to do everything we can to win it' and she would prefer to avoid a 'nerve-wracking' match.

England fans watch on nervously as Lionesses fall behind in final
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South Wales Argus

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Fans draped in England flags joined the Prince of Wales and his daughter Princess Charlotte in holding their heads in their hands as Mariona Caldentey put Spain 1-0 up in the final on Sunday. William and Charlotte were pictured in Switzerland for the Euros final as the royal family led the nation in wishing good luck to England's Lionesses. Shortly before kick-off, an image of the pair was posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales's X account with the caption 'let's go, Lionesses'. As Caldentey's header found the net in the 25th minute, William and Charlotte were pictured with their heads in their hands and crowds in fanzones across England fell silent as they watched proceedings. Before kick-off, supporters waved England flags and loudly sang the national anthem at Boxpark Croydon and star striker Michelle Agyemang's former team, Brandon Groves Community Club in Essex. Agyemang, 19, who had one England cap before the tournament, scored crucial equalisers in the Lionesses' quarter-final and semi-final comebacks. Ahead of the game, 11-year-old Violet Ingram, a left winger for Brandon Grove Emeralds, said: 'Seeing her (Agyemang) and the team just makes me feel like I can do anything I want to do.' The Prince of Wales, who is patron of the Football Association (FA), applauded the national anthem as he stood next to Charlotte in the stadium. In a show of support ahead of the final, the Band of the Grenadier Guards performed Three Lions on the Buckingham Palace forecourt, while the royal family's official X account posted: 'Wishing the very best of luck to the @Lionesses in the Women's Euro Final this evening.' William posted a good luck message on Saturday which read: 'Good luck to the Lionesses tomorrow. Let's go girls!! 💪🦁⚽️ Wishing the very best of luck to the @Lionesses in the Women's Euro Final this evening. — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 27, 2025 'The nation is so proud you are through to the final, after some stunning comebacks! We are all cheering you on! W.' After England beat Italy 2-1 in the semi-final in Geneva on Tuesday evening, the King and Queen wished the team their 'warmest congratulations'. Charles said: 'Knowing the Lionesses' fighting spirit, I suspect we are in for another thrilling encounter on Sunday. 'Your achievements continue to inspire countless girls and women across the nation, proving once again that with dedication and teamwork, anything is possible. 'Good luck, England. May you roar to victory once more. Charles R.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: 'Into the final and inspiring the nation. Let's bring it home.' He said the team had 'changed the game – breaking barriers, making history and inspiring the next generation.' 'Tonight, the whole nation will be behind them. Come on England!' Sir Keir said. The @Lionesses have changed the game — breaking barriers, making history and inspiring the next generation. Tonight, the whole nation will be behind them. Come on England! — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 27, 2025 Meanwhile, cricketer Joe Root wished the Lionesses' the 'very best of luck' in an online message, adding: 'It's been great to watch you play throughout the tournament.' Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson said the team has 'absolutely smashed it', adding that 'everybody is so proud of you'. Meanwhile, BBC Sport and ITV have secured the broadcasting rights for the Women's World Cup 2027, meaning the tournament will remain free-to-air for UK viewers. England's path to the final has been 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. The Lionesses will be looking for redemption against Spain, who edged them 1-0 in the 2023 Women's World Cup final. England boss Sarina Wiegman said the team is 'going to do everything we can to win it' and she would prefer to avoid a 'nerve-wracking' match.

Karen Carney fights back tears over women's football backlash at Euro 2025 final
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The Independent

time27 minutes ago

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A former England player and ITV presenter was moved by a compilation of footage showing past criticism of women's football ahead of the Euro 2025 final on Sunday, 27 July. As the Lionesses prepared to face Spain, the broadcaster aired an interview with Beth Mead in which the striker recalled how she was laughed at when she started her career playing for a boys' team. Karen Carney, one of England's most-capped players, became emotional after the interview finished as she reflected on how far the sport has come. "There is a little girl and also a little boy that now knows that there is a place for everybody to play football," she said.

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