Pressure? What pressure? Spain eves eye more history in Euro final
Basel, Switzerland
World champions Spain go into Sunday's Euro 2025 final with England looking to create more history and say their love for the game means there is no extra pressure.
The Spanish beat England 1-0 in the World Cup final in Sydney two years ago and they meet again in Basel with the Lionesses this time defending Euro champions.
'I don't think about pressure,' coach Montse Tomé told a news conference on Saturday.
'I think during the whole tournament we have been writing history - getting to semis and the final for the first time, beating Germany for the first time. We have been accomplishing objectives and that's the reason we're here.' They two sides have met twice this year in the Nations League, with one win each. England meanwhile have won the quarter- and semi-finals in Switzerland with late comebacks.
'They showed in this tournament that even if they don't play well they win,' added Tomé, whose squad have no fitness concerns.
'It's a final. We know it's a complicated game against a big national team and the current champion. We played twice against them this year, we know it will be hard. For the team, I have 23 players.' Spain captain Irene Paredes agreed with her coach about a lack of pressure.
'I said that for my favourites, England were there. Both teams deserve the final,' she said. 'We don't like the idea of being favourites. We know what it takes to be here, what we suffered.
'We are a team who don't see this game as a pressure but as an opportunity to continue writing history, do something big and to show ourselves and let people enjoy.' Spain's World Cup win is remembered internationally because of the kiss scandal involving former Spanish FA head Luis Rubiales.
The captain said they hope this final is remembered for football.
'Since 2023 we made big steps forwards. This idea (that women don't belong in football) is disappearing from society,' Paredes remarked.
'I still believe we have to continue opening doors to normalize situations which are more and more normal. We broke many obstacles, we are references for boys and girls in society but we still have things to do.'
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