David Squires on … goalkeepers grabbing the headlines at Euro 2025
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The Guardian
12 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Switzerland pulls off dazzling high-wire act as Euro 2025 delivers to the last
Twelve hours before Euro 2025 reached its crescendo the Uefa executive director of football, Giorgio Marchetti, addressed a hall of delegates in Basel. The morning coffees were still taking hold as officials from clubs, federations and other stakeholders settled down for a forum designed partly to debrief the previous month. There was no mistaking the congratulatory mood and Marchetti was determined to see it last. The tournament would not be 'like a butterfly, over in 24 hours', he said; instead its reverberations would be felt far into a burgeoning sport's future. There was certainly little sign of any effects dulling as afterparties swung long into the night following England's heist against Spain. The overwhelming sense was of euphoria, sprinkled with relief, that host and governing body had pulled off what some viewed as a high‑wire act. Switzerland's relatively modest football infrastructure, not to mention its muted appreciation of the women's game, had raised eyebrows but it staged an event that delivered to the last. 'It's a very strong image of Switzerland that has been shared with the whole world,' the Swiss football association president, Dominique Blanc, said on Monday. 'It has exceeded our expectations as organiser and also the expectation of Uefa.' All parties can reel off a string of convincing figures. If Switzerland needed the money it can bask in 200 million francs (£186m) brought in through tourism by the European Championship. That is a direct consequence of the numbers that make Uefa particularly proud: a record attendance of more than 657,000; all bar two of the 31 games being recorded as sellouts; the number of visiting supporters far exceeding those at previous editions. Then came the sensory evidence that it remains worth granting host status to grow football in countries that are not autocracies, petrostates or both. Switzerland rose cautiously but, in the end, entirely to the challenge of presenting a spectacle. The country has never experienced scenes such as the fan walk in Berne before their historic quarter-final against Spain, when a sea of red flowed over Nydeggbrücke bridge and snaked up the hill towards Stadion Wankdorf. Those fan marches, replicated by several nations' fanbases across the month, were evidence of a women's football supporter culture that has grown in shape and identity here. Uefa wanted to learn more about the sport's audience, its habits and its mores, at Euro 2025 and has been presented with compelling answers. Nor has Switzerland experienced many noises like the commotion that erupted in Geneva when the Nati dramatically equalised against Finland. Crucially it learned to embrace and cherish a young, multicultural team with none of the cynicism previously unloaded on some of their male counterparts. Opportunity knocks in the marketable, vastly talented forms of Sydney Schertenleib and Iman Beney. The country now has a platform to do more than flap its wings. Can it harness that momentum between now and the next Nations League campaign in February? Uefa will hope so as it looks to bolster the suite of credible, high-level contenders for its competitions. England's win at least gave the lie to any idea that Spain could not be toppled but, among some observers, there was quiet disappointment about the level shown by some big guns. Neither France nor Germany convinced, while the Netherlands flopped; Sweden had looked the best prepared team to take on La Roja but blew their quarter-final against an England side propelled by its own destiny. It felt instructive when Emma Hayes, a speaker at Uefa's forum on Sunday, suggested England's transitions had not been as slick as those at Euro 2022. That proved not to matter and there is a sense the standard of play at the top end did not kick on this year, even if there was evidence of a hugely welcome rise in level lower down. Quality, though, is not always the most important measure of a tournament. Short-term endorphin kicks engender the buzz, especially among remote viewers, and it did little harm to the competition's role in hearts and minds that so many of the decisive tussles staggered towards penalty shootouts or dramatic extra‑time resolutions. Those moments, much more than the cruises and cakewalks, cement an event in new supporters' consciousnesses. Euro 2025 achieved that in greater concentration than any of its past equivalent tournaments. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion Uefa must now choose the most appropriate step for a tournament that insiders know needs handling with care even if its president, Aleksander Ceferin, was available for only two fleeting appearances. Switzerland's success has given a green light to choose a more outwardly ambitious host for Euro 2029 from five candidates. Germany appears the early favourite and would also be large enough to sustain an expanded tournament, an eventuality that has not entirely been extinguished. The women's European Championship will inevitably join other showpieces in swelling to 24 teams some day although 2033 is a more likely target. Breaking even and demonstrating that progress can also be measured in sound business terms is – as the Uefa director of women's football Nadine Kessler, recently told the Guardian – a more concrete priority. There would be clear risks in overreaching when the present model has suggested a path to viability. For the audience who will define its future, though, pictures matter more than pound signs. The images that will linger include Ann‑Katrin Berger's extraordinary save against France, Aitana Bonmatí's semi‑final flourish and the pandemonium that unfolded when Chloe Kelly battered the final penalty past Cata Coll. Euro 2025 built firmly on existing foundations and, for all the challenges that await, set out Marchetti's vision for a far more durable beast.
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Daily Mail
The humble lives of the Lionesses: From mid-sized homes to side hustles boosting their salaries - but squad are in line for a bumper payday after Euros victory
The Lionesses are set for a bumper payday after cementing their place in history with a nail-biting penalty-shootout victory over Spain to retain the Euros in dramatic style. Chloe Kelly, who scored the memorable winner at Wembley in the Euro 2022 final, was England's golden girl again as she emphatically fired home the decisive spot-kick, sparking scenes of jubilation across the country. Capturing the nation's hearts, she later bellowed 'f***ing come on!' into the TV cameras after shaking hands with Prince William to collect her historic medal in Switzerland. She was also seen belting out Sweet Caroline to the cameras and swaggering around the pitch with her team shouting: 'The first time was so nice, we had to do it twice!' The Lionesses partied late into the night before starting their return to London where they will head to Downing Street before celebrating with an open-top bus procession through the capital on Tuesday. Winning on the pitch clearly comes naturally to the Lionesses who celebrated their second European title on the trot after trouncing Germany 2–1 in 2022. But brand experts say they are set to triumph off the pitch too, anticipating they will make 'millions' over the coming months after becoming the first English team - men's or women's - to win on foreign soil. Brand and culture expert Nick Ede told MailOnline: 'The Lionesses are going to be winning off the pitch with many of them making millions in the next few months. 'Chloe Kelly is the poster girl for the Lionesses and will continue to make a lot of money with endorsements, TV work and brand deals. 'I think Chloe will be able to command millions from deals as her brand equity is so high. She will be courted from lifestyle brands, automotive and performance brands too. 'Because the ladies earn far less than their male counterparts, they have to do more deals outside of the sport to build themselves financially and I think they will be inundated with offers. 'They are perfect role models for so many people and brands want to create authentic campaigns rather than celebrity endorsed ones so choosing a Lioness is a great strategic move.' Mr Ede said it was important for the players to think 'strategically' about the deals and 'how to maximise as much as possible on their fame'. He said all eyes will be on stars including Lucy Bronze, Lauren Hemp and manager Sarina Wiegman - who may be on track for a damehood. The Lionesses may be back-to-back Euros champions - and narrowly avoided World Cup glory by losing to Spain in the final in 2023 - but they remain incredibly humble. When they are not on the pitch, the modest stars are maximising their pay outside of football with side hustle or spending time with partners and family in mid-sized houses. Captain Leah Williamson, 28, has modelled for Calvin Klein, is a brand ambassador for Gucci, enjoys a lucrative deal with Nike and has collaborated with global brands including Aston Martin, Pepsi, Walkers and Mastercard. She even has a range of children's books called The Wonder Team. Ella Toone, 25, has set up her own brand, ET7, which includes a football academy for young girls, and she has set up a creative agency to help female athletes maximise commercial opportunities. Her sponsors include make-up brand Charlotte Tilbury, orthodontic firm Invisalign and McDonald's. She and best friend Alessia Russo have a podcast where they tell all to host Vick Hope. Russo is now on £500,000 a year just for playing football – but off-the-field deals are understood to bring in much more. Forbes put her earnings in just 2023 at £2 million. She has deals with Gucci, Adidas, PlayStation, Beats by Doctor Dre, and last month was gifted an MG5 EV car. Forward Lauren Hemp, 24, has boosted her £400,000 salary with a sponsorship deal with Lego. Playing with the plastic bricks helps her relax and she was seen leaving the hotel in Switzerland holding a Lego set based on the Disney movie 'Beauty and the Beast'. She has also made a Mona Lisa out of Lego. Her other sponsors include Nike and Sports Direct. Lucy Bronze's on-field heroics and social media visibility have landed her lucrative endorsements with the likes of VISA, Spotify, and recently, Rexona, that have seen her rake in the big bucks, amassing a whopping £3.5m net worth. Away from the football limelight and the side hustles, the players live in minimalist and mid-sized homes. Lionesses left-back and Manchester City captain Alex Greenwood, who lives with childhood sweetheart Jack O'Connell, has revealed her plush grey sofas, where she has been seen recovering with Normatec compression boots on her legs. Hero Lucy Bronze, who played the whole tournament with a broken tibia, has also given an insight into her home, sharing photos of her minimalist yet trendy bedroom. In one photo, she is seen recovering in bed in her terracotta and pink room, which is adorned with framed prints, a circle mirror, plants, lamps with rattan shades and plush pillows. In a post back in 2021, she posted a photo of a her and her grandmother in a sleek, modern kitchen which featured a large island in the middle. Lioness legend Kelly, who lives with her husband Scott, has rarely offered a glimpse into their home. But fans have spotted the odd photo which shows the couple have also gone for a minimalist look with a grey carpeted staircase and grey flooring. Her teammate, Ella Toone, is understood to have now moved in with long-term boyfriend Joe Bunney. The Manchester United star has shared glimpses of the interior, including a cosy living room with a grey corner sofa, beige walls, prints and a grey rug. The dining room features a stone grey table with circular glass lights hanging above, plants on shelves and a bright neon light. Growing viewerships have seen the Lioness stars begin to bridge the chasm to the men's when it comes to earning away from the pitch - with brand experts revealing the women are doing far more than the men. Hayley Knight, Co-Founder and Director of Comms for BE YELLOW, a leading PR and Media Relations Agency, said: 'They're doing more outside the sport than the men's team ever have. 'They're more human. They're more accessible. They're pushing for equal access in sport for schools and they're influencing policy. 'And the one wonderful thing about the Lionesses in particular and this particular team is that there's no scandal, they're very open and honest. There's LGBT representation. It's very diverse. 'So there are a lot more brands that can invest and there's a lot more brand trust that they can hook onto. And the contracts will be longer because of that. 'Plus they have access to social media and influencer marketing in a way that previous teams and the men's team have never had access to.' Before the start of Euro 2025, Uefa confirmed record prize money of 41 million euros (£34m) for the 16-team tournament - a 156 per cent increase from Euro 2022 (16 million euros). The 2022 winners received just over 2 million euros but the Euro 2025 champions will this year take home up to 5.1million euros when performance bonuses are added to the 1.8 million euros participation fee. Before a ball had been kicked in Switzerland, the FA and Lionesses had agreed a payment structure that would see the 23 players selected for the tournament share 40 per cent of UEFA's prize money pot between them - which equates to £4.3million, working out to roughly £75,000-per-player. Furthermore, for every match England partake in an extra £2,000 would be added to that total - taking it to £87,000.
The Guardian
8 hours ago
- The Guardian
Singing, dancing and a cavapoo called Reggie: how England celebrated Euro 2025 glory
England's history-making players celebrated their Euro 2025 triumph alongside family, friends and a cavapoo called Reggie long into the early hours of Monday morning. Songs by Natasha Bedingfield, Heather Small and Gala all featured on a night of singalongs, dancing and drinking as the team, the staff and their loved ones soaked in the moment after their victory against the world champions Spain in a penalty shootout in Basel. The Lionesses are known to love singing as a team after victories and they were already performing their own rendition of Calum Scott's cover of Dancing On My Own by the time they left the pitch to walk into their dressing room – with the head coach, Sarina Wiegman, declaring confidently that 'we're going to party tonight' in her press conference before exiting Basel. The squad's nearest and dearest had been situated directly behind the England technical area in the lower tier of the stands in Basel, allowing the players to embrace them immediately after the final, which was their third consecutive major-tournament final. After Chloe Kelly secured victory with her winning penalty kick, Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline was soon blasting around St Jakob‑Park. Lucy Bronze celebrated on the pitch amid the glitter with her young nephews while Beth Mead hugged her partner, the Netherlands and Manchester City forward Vivianne Miedema, in the stands. The families and friends then travelled to the Dolder Grand hotel – the Lionesses' luxurious base overlooking the city of Zurich as well as Lake Zurich and the distant Alps – and were ready to greet the team when their coach arrived. The players, all wearing deliberately back-to-front England shirts emblazoned with 'Champions, 25', arrived at the party to the sound of the London-born singer Small's debut solo single from 2000, Proud, a song that had been played repeatedly throughout the Lionesses' run to the final. In a moment that is now becoming something of a tradition for the team at such Lionesses parties, the captain, Leah Williamson, and Wiegman are understood to have cut a cake in celebration. Before long, all present were singing along to some of the team's favourite celebratory tunes such as Gala's Freed From Desire – which burst into popularity with football fans in 2016 at the men's European Championship in France – as well as Sweet Caroline and, several hours later, Bedingfield's Unwritten. There was also an impressive rendition of Ike & Tina Turner's River Deep, Mountain High, performed with a microphone by the England midfielder Ella Toone. A 1996 version of that same song by Céline Dion had become popular with the Lionesses after their wins at Euro 2022 on home soil, most memorably being sung by Rachel Daly on stage in Trafalgar Square at the team's public celebratory event the day after their victory against Germany that year. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion Toone also enjoyed dancing to a remix of Teddy Swims's Lose Control on the shoulders of her boyfriend, fellow footballer Joe Bunney, who left Nantwich Town in March. Earlier, the team took turns to cuddle Reggie, a dog belonging to the team's private barista James, who has worked with the Lionesses at St George's Park in Staffordshire as well as in Zurich. The team then flew back to London for a reception hosted on Monday afternoon by the deputy prime minister at 10 Downing Street. Before takeoff Williamson was seen cradling the European Championship trophy, saying: 'We are taking it home back to London, for the next four years.'
