logo
Germans eye England revenge in potential Women's Euro final repeat

Germans eye England revenge in potential Women's Euro final repeat

Straits Times20-07-2025
OBERENTFELDEN, Switzerland - Germany are plotting their path to a potential revenge mission against England at the Women's Euros, with former international Melanie Leupolz already dreaming of a rematch of the 2022 final after the Germans' agonising 2-1 extra-time defeat.
First, both teams must navigate tricky semi-final hurdles, with England facing Italy on Tuesday before Germany take on reigning world champions and tournament favourites Spain a day later.
"It would be a good revenge, that would be amazing, so fingers crossed they win against Spain and make it to the final," Leupolz said at an Adidas event in Zurich on Sunday.
There was no shortage of drama in the quarter-finals, with England edging Sweden in a hair-raising penalty shootout, Italy scoring a last-minute winner against Norway, and Germany beating France on penalties to set up an intriguing pair of semis.
"I won't underestimate Italy, I think they are playing a good tournament, a lot of passion and just giving it all. So I think it will be very difficult for England as well," Leupolz, who played for London club Chelsea for four years until 2024, said.
"I think they (England) had a few ups and downs during the tournament, some good performances, some not so good. So I think they have to have a good day on this day to win against Italy."
Germany recovered from an early red card and the concession of an early goal to draw 1-1 with France after extra time before going on to win 6-5 in the shootout to send them into the last four.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Priority for singles, higher quota for second-timer families to kick in from HDB's July BTO exercise
Singapore Both Bukit Panjang LRT disruptions in July linked to newly installed power system: SMRT
Singapore 1 in 3 vapes here laced with etomidate; MOH working with MHA to list it as illegal drug: Ong Ye Kung
Asia Johor Bahru collision claims lives of e-hailing driver and Singapore passenger
Sport Arsenal arrive in Singapore for pre-season matches with AC Milan and Newcastle
Business Crypto exchange Tokenize to shut down Singapore operations
Singapore More initiatives and support for migrant community announced at Racial Harmony Day event
Singapore ComfortDelGro to discipline driver who flung relative's wheelchair out of taxi
"Just fingers crossed for Germany. But I think after yesterday's game with so many challenges, I think they just take all of the confidence they got from yesterday and take it into the semi-finals against Spain."
Having gone from playing for the team to cheering them on from the sidelines, the 31-year-old Leupolz said that retirement had left her with mixed feelings.
"I already miss the 90 minutes of football for sure, but everything around the travelling, the trainings, everything you have to invest, I think I won't miss," she explained.
"I think it was the right time, but when I see games like yesterday, just like really highlight games, the 90 minutes, I will miss for sure." REUTERS
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Wiegman hails most chaotic tournament ever
Wiegman hails most chaotic tournament ever

Straits Times

time8 hours ago

  • Straits Times

Wiegman hails most chaotic tournament ever

BASEL, Switzerland - Sarina Wiegman broke into a celebratory dance when Chloe Kelly struck the winning penalty in Sunday's shootout to help England clinch a second consecutive Women's Euros title, capping a wild ride that the coach called the most chaotic tournament ever. The 55-year-old, who is under contract with England through 2027, had already made history by becoming the first football manager to coach in five consecutive major tournament finals. Euro 2025 proved to be a roller-coaster of emotions for Wiegman, with England fighting back to win all three knockout games in extra time or a shootout, including the final in which they beat world champions Spain 3-1 on penalties after the match ended in a 1-1 draw. "This has been the most chaotic tournament, from the first game there was chaos … turns out we love football chaos!" a jubilant Wiegman said. Asked how she plans to celebrate, she said: "Maybe with some more dancing. I might have a drink but I will not be drinking as much as the players." Wiegman's players had raved about her motivational speeches throughout the tournament, and she must have delivered another memorable one on Sunday. "The main message was enjoy it," said Wiegman, who completed a hat-trick of Euro triumphs on Sunday having also guided her native Netherlands to the 2017 title. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Sewage shaft failure linked to sinkhole; PUB calling safety time-out on similar works islandwide Singapore Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole did not happen overnight: Experts Singapore Workers used nylon rope to rescue driver of car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole Asia Singapore-only car washes will get business licences revoked, says Johor govt World Food airdropped into Gaza as Israel opens aid routes Sport Arsenal beat Newcastle in five-goal thriller to bring Singapore Festival of Football to a close Singapore Benchmark barrier: Six of her homeschooled kids had to retake the PSLE Asia S'porean trainee doctor in Melbourne arrested for allegedly filming colleagues in toilets since 2021 "We've got so far now in this tournament. I think we all created something again together. So these are the moments where you dream of, well some couldn't even dream of because it wasn't possible when they were little kids. "But go out there and enjoy it and play your very best game." There was controversy in the weeks leading up to the tournament after Euro 2022 winning goalkeeper Mary Earps announced her international retirement. She had recently lost her starting job to Hannah Hampton. But Hampton was brilliant in Switzerland, including in the two shootouts and was named player of the match on Sunday after saving two penalties from Spanish players and making several other key saves. "Every player has their one story and journey and hers has been incredible," Wiegman said. "Starting the tournament and losing the first game, there was so much riding on every game, we had five finals. She had to step up and I think she has been amazing. "It's a little bit like a fairytale to stop those two penalties (during the shootout) in the final." England lost their opening game to France, but preached about confidence and not giving up since that night, and their tournament was a remarkable show of resilience. They led for a total of just four minutes through their three knockout matches. "It's been incredible," Wiegman said. "Around in the camp, the training sessions, everything about the team was very calm. "Just the games were chaotic and very close and tight and we were behind in a lot of games. We lost the first game, but then afterwards it was all very calm." Michelle Agyemang, the 19-year-old who scored late goals in the quarter-final and semi-final, won the Young Player of the Tournament award. REUTERS

Bronze played with fractured tibia to help England win Euros
Bronze played with fractured tibia to help England win Euros

Straits Times

time9 hours ago

  • Straits Times

Bronze played with fractured tibia to help England win Euros

England defender Lucy Bronze revealed after Sunday's Euro 2025 final victory over Spain that she had played the entire tournament with a fractured tibia. In the quarter-final against Sweden, the 33-year-old scored a goal before firing home the winning penalty in the shootout. "I have actually played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia, and then I have hurt my knee on my other leg," Bronze said on Sunday after helping the Lionesses to edge Spain 3-1 on penalties after the final ended 1-1 following extra time. "That's why I got a lot of praise from the girls after the Sweden game, as I've been in a lot of pain. If that's what it takes to play for England, that's what I'll do." The Chelsea defender admitted the tournament in Switzerland had been one of the most demanding of her career. "I do not think we ever stopped believing in ourselves. There was a lot of noise from the outside, but we stayed united and gave everything," Bronze said. "To win it on penalties shows just how inspiring this team is to be part of. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Sewage shaft failure linked to sinkhole; PUB calling safety time-out on similar works islandwide Singapore Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole did not happen overnight: Experts Singapore Workers used nylon rope to rescue driver of car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole Asia Singapore-only car washes will get business licences revoked, says Johor govt World Food airdropped into Gaza as Israel opens aid routes Sport Arsenal beat Newcastle in five-goal thriller to bring Singapore Festival of Football to a close Singapore Benchmark barrier: Six of her homeschooled kids had to retake the PSLE Asia S'porean trainee doctor in Melbourne arrested for allegedly filming colleagues in toilets since 2021 "Today we showed resilience. We have shown everyone that you should always believe in yourself, no matter what others say." REUTERS

English grit beats Spanish skill to secure Euro glory
English grit beats Spanish skill to secure Euro glory

Straits Times

time9 hours ago

  • Straits Times

English grit beats Spanish skill to secure Euro glory

BASEL, Switzerland - England were on the ropes often at the Women's Euros, and they always found a knockout blow, before beating Spain in a final penalty shootout to show that skill may be a way to dominate games, but it takes the heart of a lioness to win them. Chloe Kelly was the hero, firing in the spot-kick to ensure the defending champions retained their crown, but every English player had to dig deep to thwart a Spanish side who were best everywhere except on the final scoreboard. Down 2-0 at the break, England's tournament almost ended in the quarter-finals as Sweden looked set to cruise through, but Kelly and Michelle Agyemang dragged the champions back into the game with late goals before they won the penalty shootout despite having four kicks saved. They made heavy weather of Italy in the semis and again Kelly came to the rescue, scoring a 119th-minute winner to send them into the final despite another flawed performance. In contrast, Spain cruised, purring like the engine of one of the many sports cars that can be seen zipping along city streets in the more affluent parts of Switzerland. They beat the host nation, and eased past Germany in the semis to make the final. They met England in the 2023 World Cup final when a first-half goal set Spain on course for victory and their first major title. The story was almost a carbon copy on Sunday as they took the lead through Mariona Caldentey in the 25th minute. Led by playmaker Aitan Bonmati, the Spaniards sensed a weakness on England's left flank and probed it relentlessly until Ona Batlle came up with the cross for Caldentey to score. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Sewage shaft failure linked to sinkhole; PUB calling safety time-out on similar works islandwide Singapore Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole did not happen overnight: Experts Singapore Workers used nylon rope to rescue driver of car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole Asia Singapore-only car washes will get business licences revoked, says Johor govt World Food airdropped into Gaza as Israel opens aid routes Sport Arsenal beat Newcastle in five-goal thriller to bring Singapore Festival of Football to a close Singapore Benchmark barrier: Six of her homeschooled kids had to retake the PSLE Asia S'porean trainee doctor in Melbourne arrested for allegedly filming colleagues in toilets since 2021 KELLY INTRODUCTION The introduction of Kelly before the break for the injured Lauren James strengthened that wing, and when Kelly set Russo up for the equaliser the tide did not exactly turn, but the belief of the English players certainly grew. Battered by a number of crunching tackles, fullbacks Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood continued to throw themselves into every challenge, while captain Leah Williamson made a lung-bursting run to create a late chance that hinted at reserves of energy not even she knew she had. Having been to the brink so many times, England believed. When the game finished 1-1 and the penalty shootout awaited, the English players seemed relaxed and confident, with their Spanish counterparts looking slightly more on edge. The Spaniards had the game in the palms of their hands for 120 minutes, but it began slipping away as Hannah Hamton started to save their spot-kicks, first from Caldentey and then from Bonmati, before Paralluelo fired her effort wide. Kelly made no mistake, lashing the ball into the net as the English fans in the stadium erupted in joy. "This is England, I think this is our moment, we've dug in for the 120 minutes, we've done what we needed to do to keep Spain out. It was just one kick and that was it and so we did that this time," Hampton said. For all their dominance, this is a final that Spain will feel got away from them. Despite all their success in recent years, they lacked the cutting edge they needed to get the job done, and when it really mattered, England had it in spades. REUTERS

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store