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North Wales Chronicle
21 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Lauren James will be fit for England's Euro 2025 final with Spain
The forward was forced off at half-time of the Lionesses' extra-time semi-final comeback over Italy with an ankle issue, but trained with the team in Zurich on Saturday morning before Sunday's title decider. James, like the other members of Wiegman's full 23-player squad who trained, still needs to come through recovery, but her boss is optimistic the she will be available to take on the World Cup holders. Appreciating the 23 ❤️@leahcwilliamson reflects on her #Lionesses journey and the power of the whole squad on #ThatLionessesPodcast connected by @EE. — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 26, 2025 Wiegman said: 'We had 23 players on the pitch today and everyone came through, so if everyone recovers well then we have 23 players available for tomorrow. 'I think we have many players that can impact, and we know that (James) can have an impact too, so that will be nice.' Captain Leah Williamson added: 'I think we have a team of talented players. Lauren brings something slightly different, just like the others, so obviously having that available is best-case scenario for us.' Williamson survived her own injury scare in Switzerland when she rolled her ankle in extra time of their spectacular quarter-final, penalty-shootout comeback against Sweden, but returned for their semi-final. She said: 'I can speak for every single member of the squad when I say we will play as long as we get the green light, we would play through absolutely anything to be involved at this stage. 'My ankle is great. My mum actually rolled her ankle a couple of days ago, so she's taken all the attention away from me now. 'But no, I had a scare. Obviously I want to be involved, and I want to be available to help the team any way they need me. But obviously played that game, the semi-final and ready to go tomorrow.' Williamson missed out on the World Cup after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in April 2023, and was forced to watch their loss to Spain – in England's first final at a global showpiece – from the stands. 'It was awful,' she admitted. 'I think once you're part of a team, being on the outside, and I know how tired you are when you get to that stage, how much a tournament takes out of you, and to be completely useless, that probably bothered me the most. 'But to sit with the families, knowing what they go through, that actually makes me reflect on this tournament, and we haven't been very kind to them at all. 'But I think that feels like a really long time ago, which is probably a benefit for the whole squad. 'Anybody would give anything to be part of their team when they're going through moments like that. 'It was tough. The only plus was sitting next to Jill (Scott) I suppose, and sharing it with somebody who knew what it felt like.' Asked about the importance of having her skipper free to face Spain, Wiegman added: 'Of course, I'm very happy with that, as I am very happy that we have 23 players available tomorrow. 'And yeah, Leah has a big role in the team, so it's really nice to have her on the pitch.'
The Independent
21 minutes ago
- The Independent
Leah Williamson hopes England show they are no ‘flash in the pan' in Euros final
England captain Leah Williamson challenged the defending champions to prove they are no 'flash in the pan' when they take on World Cup holders Spain in Sunday's Euro 2025 final in Basel. 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. '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. '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.'
STV News
21 minutes ago
- STV News
No slips from Kilmarnock, Livingston and Falkirk in Premier Sports Cup
William Hill Premiership trio Kilmarnock, Livingston and Falkirk all enjoyed comfortable home victories as they progressed to the second round of the Premier Sports Cup. Motherwell and Hearts had already booked their places in Sunday's draw along with European qualifiers Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Hibernian and Dundee United, meaning there were nine spaces still up for grabs going into the final weekend. Killie, Livi and the Bairns were joined in reaching the last 16 by lower-league sides Partick Thistle, Alloa, St Johnstone and Morton. Dundee – eliminated after losing their opening two fixtures – are the only top-flight side out of the tournament so far, with St Mirren aiming to make it through on Sunday. Dunfermline have a chance of joining them if Saints fail to beat Ayr, who are all but through as long as they do not lose heavily in Paisley. Falkirk sealed top spot in Group A by defeating Spartans 4-0 at home through goals from Dylan Tait, Scott Arfield and a Calvin Miller brace. Cove Rangers finished second but were not in the mix to be one of the three best runners-up after losing 2-1 at Queen's Park. Teenage defender Ben Brannan scored a double as Kilmarnock pipped top-flight rivals Livingston to top spot in Group H with a 4-0 home victory over East Fife. Summer signings Marcus Dackers and Djenairo Daniels were also on target for Stuart Kettlewell's side. Livi struck four times in the first half as a 6-0 home win over Kelty Hearts helped them finish as one of the three best runners-up. Robbie Muirhead notched a double, while Andrew Winter, debutant Adam Montgomery, Shane Blaney and Stevie May were also on target. Partick maintained their perfect record to win Group B with a 3-1 victory at Ross County, while Stranraer beat 10-man Queen of the South 1-0 in the other match in the section. There was drama in Group C as Alloa came from behind to defeat Airdrie 3-2 and secure qualification at the expense of the Diamonds. A 2-2 draw would have been enough to take both teams through, but Steven Buchanan's 89th minute winner meant only the Wasps progressed. In the other match, Dundee saved some face after their humiliating start by making it back-to-back wins with a 5-0 triumph at home to Montrose. Simon Murray hit a first-half double before second-half strikes from Clark Robertson, Ryan Astley and Luke Graham. St Johnstone sealed top spot in Group with an 8-0 home win over 10-man Elgin, while Raith Rovers beat Inverness 5-1. With Hearts already having finished top of Group E, Dunfermline gave themselves a chance of finishing as one of the three best runners-up as they won 2-0 at home to Stirling. The Pars will go through if St Mirren lose to Ayr or draw and fail to pick up a bonus point. Hearts have put themselves in a commanding position to claim a seeded place, finishing on 12 points with a positive goal difference of 15. Dunfermline can move on to nine points and will be looking to add to their goal difference of two when they host Stirling, to push for a best runners-up place. Morton followed Group G winners Motherwell through as one of the best runners-up after winning 3-0 at home to Clyde, while Stenhousemuir beat Peterhead 1-0. In Group D, where Arbroath went down 1-0 to Forfar, Ayr will be looking to hold on to top spot away to St Mirren on Sunday. The Honest Men have such a good goal difference that they will go through as long as they do not lose heavily. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
