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Leah Williamson says her ankle feels ‘great' ahead of Euros final: ‘We would play through absolutely anything'

Leah Williamson says her ankle feels ‘great' ahead of Euros final: ‘We would play through absolutely anything'

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Leah Williamson has quashed any concerns regarding her fitness ahead of the European Championship final against Spain on Sunday, saying her ankle is 'great'.
The England captain was forced off at half-time of extra-time during the quarter-final penalty shootout win against Sweden after landing awkwardly on her ankle.
However, she played 85 minutes in the semi-final victory over Italy and trained on Saturday with all 23 players participating in the session ahead of the final in Basel.
'My ankle is great,' she said ahead of the final. 'My mum actually rolled her ankle a couple of days ago, so she's taken all the attention away from me now.
'I had a scare. Obviously I want to be involved and available to help the team in any way they need me. I played the semi-final and am ready to go tomorrow.
'I can speak for every single member of the squad when I say, as long as we get the green light, we would play through absolutely anything to be involved at this stage.'
England manager Sarina Wiegman said she was 'very happy' with Williamson's fitness.
'Leah has a big role in the team, so it's really nice to have her on the pitch,' she said.
Wiegman also confirmed that all 23 players of her squad came through training on Saturday, including Lauren James. The 23-year-old forward was substituted at half-time against Italy and was seen with ice around her right ankle during the second half.
England face Spain on Sunday in what is a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final. Spain captain Irene Paredes described England as 'one of the best teams in the world' on Saturday.
'They deserve to be in the final, just like us,' said the 34-year-old. 'They have players who we even share a dressing room with and know well. They have made us suffer and we have made them suffer. It will be a hard-fought match.
'We have a team that has played important matches and tournaments. Each of us knows how to manage the tension and emotions that sometimes come to the surface. We are a team and we don't see it as a pressure match, we see it as an opportunity to make history, to continue enjoying ourselves and to make people enjoy themselves.'
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
England, Women's Soccer, Women's Euros
2025 The Athletic Media Company
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