England face dark horses Italy
The holders are tantalisingly close to another major tournament final, with a showdown next Sunday against either Germany or world champions Spain the reward for Sarina Wiegman's team should they get the better of the Azzurre in Geneva.
The Lionesses could be forgiven for feeling that their name is on the trophy after the dramatic nature of their victory over Sweden in Zurich on Thursday.
England were 2-0 down late on but two goals in the space of three minutes forced extra time before they eventually triumphed 3-2 in a remarkable penalty shoot-out.
Now they find themselves in a sixth consecutive semi-final between Women's Euros and World Cups, and it would be a shock if they slipped up against Italy.
Ranked 13th in the world, the Italians are surprise semi-finalists while England are where they were expected to be as they look to repeat their triumph at the last Euros on home soil in 2022.
"I really had a sense throughout the game, even when we were down, that it wasn't our time to go," defender Esme Morgan told English media this weekend as she reflected on the unlikely comeback against Sweden.
"I thought about three times we were out," admitted Wiegman, who remains on course to win a third consecutive Women's Euros having guided her native Netherlands to victory on home soil in 2017 before triumphing with England three years ago.
England have been exposed against top-level opposition at this European Championship, having been defeated by France in their opening group game before being torn apart in the first half against Sweden.
But the nature of their recovery in the latter match, inspired by substitutes Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly, will give them confidence and so can their recent record against Italy.
Carter suffers racist abuse
England won 5-1 when the nations last met in a friendly in Spain in February last year, and were 2-1 victors a year earlier in the Arnold Clark Cup in Coventry.
Italy finished second in their group behind Spain but then got the better of Norway in the quarter-finals with veteran Cristiana Girelli scoring twice including a last-minute winner.
Now they are in the semis of a major tournament for the first time since the 1997 Euros.
"It's exciting because we are going to face the reigning champions," defender Martina Lenzini told AFP at the Italian team's base near Lucerne.
"Getting to the semi-finals for us is a result in itself, a bit unexpected in the eyes of others and by everyone around us, but we believed we could do this.
"We are always humble but we were aware that we could get to this stage and have the chance to face a team of this calibre."
The holders' preparations for the match were rocked by revelations that defender Jess Carter had been the victim of racist abuse which led to the English FA alerting police.
"From the start of the tournament I have experienced a lot of racial abuse," Carter, who has 49 caps, wrote on her social media accounts.
"Whilst I feel every fan is entitled to their opinion on performance and result I don't agree or think it's OK to target someone's appearance or race."
Meanwhile England have been hoping that captain Leah Williamson will be fit in time to feature after being forced off with an ankle injury against Sweden -- her fellow defender Morgan said over the weekend the team were "very optimistic that Leah will be fine".
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Newcastle reject Liverpool bid for Isak: reports
Sweden striker Alexander Isak has three years left on his Newcastle contract but wants to leave the club. PHOTO: AFP Newcastle have rejected Liverpool's opening bid to sign unsettled Sweden striker Alexander Isak, according to reports on Friday. Isak has been training at his old club Real Sociedad this week after reportedly telling Newcastle he wants to leave St James' Park. The 25-year-old has been linked with Liverpool since the end of last season and the Premier League champions are now believed to have formalised their interest with an offer of around £110 million ($159 million) plus potential add-ons. But Newcastle, who reportedly value Isak at £150 million, remain keen to hold onto their prize asset and have rebuffed Liverpool's initial bid. Isak, who joined Newcastle in a £60 million move from Real Sociedad in 2022, scored 23 Premier League goals last season to help Newcastle qualify for the Champions League. He has three years left on his Newcastle contract, but did not travel to Asia for the Magpies' ongoing pre-season tour, with the club saying he had a minor thigh injury. On Thursday, Real Sociedad confirmed he was at their Zubieta facility with his own trainers. It was reported on Friday that Newcastle had told Isak he could agree a new deal containing a get-out clause for next year, but he responded by insisting he wants to move now. Liverpool manager Arne Slot has already bolstered his attacking options by signing Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike and Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz during the current transfer window. But the Reds are keen to make their forward line even more formidable by adding Isak as they look to win back to back English titles for the first time since the 1980s. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe struck a defiant note earlier this week when he said: "He is still our player. He's contracted to us. "We, to a degree, control what is next for him. I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us. "My wish is that he stays, but that's not in my full control." Liverpool have spent over £250 million so far in the summer window, with Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giorgi Mamardashvili joining Wirtz and Ekitike at Anfield.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Express Tribune
London parade welcome Eng after Euro win
Sarina Wiegman and Co. pose with the trophy after they touched down on home soil. Photo: LIONESSES Thousands of cheering fans gathered to celebrate the England women's soccer team in central London on Tuesday as the jubilant players marked their historic Euro 2025 triumph with an open-top bus parade. The team, known as the 'Lionesses', beat world champions Spain 3-1 on penalties in a nail-biting final in Basel to secure their second consecutive European title, retaining the crown they won as hosts three years ago. It is the first time an England soccer team have won a major trophy on foreign soil. Crowds standing 20 to 30 deep in places packed the parade route, many holding young children aloft to catch sight of the players as they waved and filmed the scene from the top deck of their buses. The two buses, emblazoned with the word 'Champions', followed a marching band along The Mall, where England's red and white St George's Cross flags fluttered throughout the crowd, on the way to a stage in front of Buckingham Palace. "Everything we do, obviously we do it for us and our team, but we do it for the country and we do it for young girls," captain Leah Williamson said after the players had made their way to the stage to address the flag-waving supporters. "Thank you so much for being with us. Stay with us, this story is not done yet," she said. The celebrations kicked off on Monday when the team arrived home, greeted by excited fans who defied instructions not to gather at the airport. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner later hosted them at a reception at Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Downing Street residence. Starmer, who missed the reception as he was in Scotland meeting U.S. President Donald Trump, congratulated the players again on social media late on Monday, posting on X: "Back-to-back tournament wins. Inspiring the next generation. History makers." Fan Kathryn Hall, who was at Tuesday's parade, said she had been following the team since before a recent surge in the popularity of women's football in England. "We always hoped this would happen for the girls," the 47-year-old communications manager said. "All those players that have come before ... they must be so proud. It's really emotional." England's Lionesses returned to a heroes' welcome on Monday, less than 24 hours after their dramatic penalty-shootout victory against world champions Spain in the Euro 2025 final. Supporters, many of whom were dressed in England kits and holding flags, cheered as they waited outside Southend airport, about 40 miles (64 kilometres) east of London. In a post on X, the team shared a photo of the trophy draped in an England flag on a seat on the plane, which had "Home" painted in red letters on its side. The aircraft was welcomed with a water salute from two fire engines after landing. Captain Leah Williamson and manager Wiegman were the first off, with the skipper proudly holding the trophy. The Lionesses were whisked straight to 10 Downing Street, the working home of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer which was decked out in England flags. The team were hosted by Deputy Prime minister Angela Rayner and Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock while Starmer was in Scotland meeting US President Donald Trump. An open-top bus parade will follow on Tuesday, culminating in a celebration in front of Buckingham Palace. Victory in Switzerland was sweet revenge for Wiegman's defending champions, who suffered bitter defeat against the same opponents in the World Cup final two years ago. King Charles III said the team had the royal family's "warmest appreciation and admiration" following their victory, adding: "The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can." Starmer also hailed the triumph, saying: "The Lionesses have once again captured the hearts of the nation."
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Business Recorder
Shaheens set for red-ball challenge after one-day series win
LAHORE: Pakistan Shaheens are all set to take on Professional County Club Select XI in the first three-day game at the 1st Central County Ground, Hove from Tuesday (today). The second three-day fixture of the tour is against South Asian Cricket Academy & MCC Young Cricketers and will be played at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, and Canterbury from 3rd August. Before the three-day games, Shaheens featured in a three one-day match series against Professional County Club Select XI, which they won 2-1. Saud Shakeel-led Shaheens outclassed the hosts by five wickets (DLS method) in the first one-day on 22nd July, while they were beaten by seven wickets in the second match on 25th July. Shaheens made a strong comeback in the third one-day, chasing down a target of 261 to register a five-wicket win on 27th July. On the tour, left-handed opening batter Azan Awais topped the batting charts with 164 runs from three matches at an average of 54.67. The southpaw struck two half-centuries and hit 16 boundaries and two sixes. Right-hander Haider Ali, who has represented Pakistan in two ODIs and 35 T20Is, scored 141 runs in three matches at a strike rate of 128.18. He recorded two half-centuries – both contributing to the team's wins in the first and third one-dayers. In the bowling department, 19-year-old right-arm fast bowler Ubaid Shah led the charts at the conclusion of the one-day series. He claimed six wickets, including four for 41 in the team's win in the third one-day. Opening batter Azan Awais said, 'The conditions here are challenging because the new ball tends to seam and swing. In England, as an opener, the conditions can be tough early on, so the priority is to survive. The coach gave me a clear plan, to stay in and anchor the innings and I followed that and we got a very good result.' He added, 'When the series began, I adapted quickly to the preparations we had done. In the last match, we lost early wickets, so I tried to take the innings as deep as possible. My aim was to bat through and I was able to carry that momentum and perform well. I have been playing with Shamyl Hussain since our U19 days and this was the second time we opened together. We gave the team a strong start with a 100-run partnership, which gave us a solid platform and benefited the team greatly.' He said, 'This was my first experience of playing in English conditions. They are undoubtedly tough for an opener, so survival early on is a key. I will now look to carry this form into the three-day format and keep my focus on that. I will try to perform to the best of my ability for the team in that format as well.' Pacer Ubaid Shah said, 'I bowled with an attacking approach early on. Bowling alongside Mir Hamza, who is an experienced bowler and has played matches for Pakistan was really helpful. We discussed strategies together, including what lengths to bowl and how much effort to put in on this surface.' He said, 'The pitches in England suit fast bowlers quite well and I tried to utilise that to the best of my ability. It's a different kind of cricket compared to what we see in Pakistan, where the pitches are quite different. Here, you have to adjust quickly and that experience has been invaluable.' He added, 'We have got three-day matches coming up and I am really looking forward to playing red-ball cricket in these conditions. It's been great to be part of this tour to England and I am thoroughly enjoying it. For the three-day games, I will stick to the same simple plan given by the coaches and I hope to execute it well.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
