London parade welcome Eng after Euro win

Express Tribune

5 days ago

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."