From agony to ecstasy: Lionesses fans had heads in hands before Euros penalty shoot-out glory saw crowd explode in celebration

Daily Mail​

6 days ago

Collective heads fell into hands when the referee signalled the end of extra time and the start of the dreaded penalties in the Lionesses' Euros final against Spain.
But no more than five minutes later, England fans at Croydon's Box Park erupted in joy as Chloe Kelly thumped home the winning spot kick.
A night of what could have been soon turned into one of unprecedented success as Sarina Wiegman 's side clinched a historic back-to-back title in Basel.
And fans who had gathered in south London to cheer them over the line had been through every emotion when sheer relief and euphoria took over at the end of an eventful shoot-out.
The music blasting through the venue's many speakers could scarcely be heard over the deafening roar of a crowd which had seen the game slip away in the first half and teeter on the brink of a Spanish victory in the second.
As huge inflatable footballs filled Box Park at the final whistle, Danielle Howardbourne, 29, shared her emotions on a memorable night, competing with the choruses of Sweet Caroline and It's Coming Home as she spoke.
'Honestly they've absolutely put us through it this tournament but what an incredible ending,' she said.
'Even though we didn't play too well throughout the tournament I always had faith we'd bring it home.'
In typical England fashion, the Lionesses didn't make it easy for themselves during a topsy-turvy Euros.
A last-gasp equaliser against Italy saw them sneak into extra-time of the semi-final where Kelly eventually bagged a winner to book tonight's encounter with Monste Tome's intimidating Spain side.
And, in echoes of their glorious extra-time victory in 2022, the Lionesses left it until the very end after being under the cosh throughout the first half.
Most people in this arena had faith they would pull through in the end, even those who told MailOnline before kick-off that they had been 'anxious all day'.
Ms Howardbourne's belief in the team saw her book tomorrow night off so she can 'party through the night'.
She's not the only one. Izzy Herson, 37, travelled to Croydon from Brighton to watch it on the big screen with hundreds of other fans.
And she'll go home £280 to the good after betting on England to win on penalties.
'I never doubted us,' she said. 'As soon as Chloe Kelly came on I knew that was it, and she won it for us. Chloe Kelly all the way.
'I'm going back home now to celebrate and have a massive party. Come on England!'
Julie McCauley, 60, from London, has played football all her life with women's teams such as Friends of Fulham and Wimbledon and said it's incredible to see the growth of the game.
Wearing a match-worn shirt by her friend and legendary Lioness, Marieanne Spacey, she said: 'To see this now after playing football for so many years is just amazing, is just absolutely amazing.
'I said [Alessia] Russo was going to score before the game. I hoped England would do it in 90 minutes but to have this feeling again after 2022 is just absolutely amazing.
'We're capable of winning even more. This squad is amazing, Sarina is an amazing woman, and I wouldn't put it past them to win more.
'I knew that we had to not give Spain the space to play and I was worried, but we did well. We lost Lucy Bronze and I thought it might not go our way, but our subtitutes came on and were amazing.
'I'm so proud of this team. We're going to stay here for a while, party into the night or at least until my voice goes completely, and enjoy it with all these people.'
Another former Lioness and friend of Ms McCauley, Brenda Sampare, who was capped 54 times between 1983 and 1995, told MailOnline before the match started how she is delighted at the growth in the women's game.
She said: 'The pitches we used to play on were awful. No showers, barely any grass, but we did it for the love of the game and the camaraderie. The game today is unrecognisable.
'I always follow the Lionesses now and it's an absolute dream. I never thought I'd see tonight, not in our lifetime. We never thought we'd see it in 2022 never mind seeing it again. It's incredible.'
Alex Evans, 35, from Livingston, Scotland, lives near Croydon and was supporting the Lionesses this evening.
He said: 'It may be weird for a Scottish person to support England, but the Lionesses are amazing.
'I'm going to really enjoy this atmosphere and hopefully catch my breath. That was an incredibly tense match to watch.
'Once England scored I thought they'd win on penalties, but it was just getting there. But Spain are amazing. They're the best team in the world so it was impressive to beat them.'
During the game, anxious fans told MailOnline how they had even begun deploying superstitions, such were their nerves.
Rebecca Lee, 25, said she had gone to the bathroom when Russo levelled the tie in the first-half which she claimed was something of a good omen.
Siobhan Baccas pictured at Box Park. Most people in this arena had faith they would pull through in the end, even those who told MailOnline that they had been 'anxious all day'
Many at Box Park will spend the rest of this evening making the most of a massive karaoke sound system deployed on the main stage
And, as England lifted the trophy this evening, she told us that she ran to the bathroom again when the whistle blew on extra time.
While she explains this, it is nearly impossible to hear the words of anyone else in this arena - which is not emptying quickly.
Many will spend the rest of this evening making the most of a massive karaoke sound system deployed on the main stage, with classics like Oasis's Wonderwall, Angels by Robbie Williams and We Are The Champions already blaring.
This is a night that fans who descended on south London won't forget for a long time. And pubs in south London may have a certain Chloe Kelly to thank for that.