logo
'A bit surreal' - England coach Wiegman hails reaching Euro 2025 final

'A bit surreal' - England coach Wiegman hails reaching Euro 2025 final

Yahoo3 days ago
England coach Sarina Wiegman said she felt "many emotions" after her team produced another dramatic comeback to beat Italy in extra time on Tuesday and reach the final of the Women's Euro 2025.
"I have many emotions again. I feel relief, I feel happy -- it feels a bit surreal but we are here and we are going to the final," Wiegman said following the 2-1 win in Geneva, secured thanks to a Chloe Kelly goal in the 119th minute.
Italy were seconds away from a shock victory over the defending champions and a place in the final as they led deep into injury time thanks to Barbara Bonansea's 33rd-minute goal.
But substitute Michelle Agyemang equalised for England in the sixth minute of stoppage time to force the extra period, before Kelly -- who had also come off the bench -- followed in to score the deciding goal after her penalty had been saved, just as another shoot-out loomed.
"It does feel like a movie. When it finishes like that I am enjoying it but it was a little bit dramatic," smiled Wiegman.
Her team had already produced a stunning comeback against Sweden in the quarter-finals, when they trailed 2-0 before two goals by Lucy Bronze and Agyemang in the space of three minutes late on forced extra time and they eventually advanced on penalties.
"We know with the players we have in the squad that we can always score more because we have shown that multiple times," Wiegman added.
"At the end we did it and then we got extra time, and then we got the penalty. We were a bit lucky to score it in the second stage but we are through."
- Three in a row -
England, who saw winger Lauren James come off at half-time with an ankle injury, will now go to Basel for the final on Sunday against either Spain or Germany -- they meet in their last-four clash on Wednesday.
It will be a third consecutive major tournament final for the Lionesses, who beat Germany in extra time in the Euro 2022 final at Wembley and then lost to Spain in the deciding game at the following year's World Cup in Sydney.
"That is what happens when a great team comes together and makes things happen -- three consecutive finals playing under an unbelievable manager in Sarina," said Kelly, the Arsenal forward who got the winner in the 2022 Euro final.
"It is incredible to be part of this special team. I am so proud."
She added: "I can't believe what has just happened. The belief in the squad, the resilience and the togetherness in this group is just so special."
Meanwhile, Italy coach Andrea Soncin said he was proud of his team despite the agony of seeing the Azzurre fall just short of reaching a first final since the 1997 Euros.
"It hurts but we are very proud for all that we have done," said Soncin, who took charge of the team in 2023 and is now eyeing the 2027 World Cup.
"The fact we were just a minute away from the final can be encouraging for us.
"We will need a few days to get over this bitter moment but we will keep growing, and our future goal is to go to the World Cup in Brazil so we are already looking forward."
as/js
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

How to watch Manchester United vs West Ham live, stream link and start time
How to watch Manchester United vs West Ham live, stream link and start time

Yahoo

time13 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

How to watch Manchester United vs West Ham live, stream link and start time

Ruben Amorim's first full season in charge of Manchester United — the job he originally wanted — is inching closer as Manchester United continue preseason preparations against West Ham in the 2025 Summer Series on Saturday (7 pm ET). MORE — Full list of ins and outs at all 20 Premier League clubs The Red Devils appointed Amorim back in November after Erik ten Hag was fired, but the 40-year-old Portuguese wasn't too keen to take over mid-season and instead wanted to start the job this summer. Well, Man United finished the season 15th and won just 27 points from 27 games (16th during that time) under Amorim. It's easy to see why he wanted a clean slate at Old Trafford, because now the new season is upon us and everyone is already thinking, if not saying, it: How many more defeats (14 of 27) will it take before Amorim is under real pressure to save his job? United should score more goals this season (32 in 27) after signing established Premier League stars Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha for a combined $180 million, but the problematic midfield remains unchanged, as does the shoddily patchworked defense (42 conceded in 27). Speaking of another manager who likely wanted to start his new gig in the summer, Graham Potter is set for his first full season at West Ham. Mohammed Kudus' $74-million transfer to Tottenham Hotspur leaves Potter short on attacking quality, but with the necessary funds to (finally) start piecing together his new project. So far, center back Jean-Clair Todibo ($44 million, Nice), left back El Hadji Malick Diouf ($25.5 million, Slavia Prague) and Kyle Walker-Peters (free, Southampton) have added to the team that struggled its way to a 14th-place finish last season. How to watch Manchester United vs West Ham live, stream link and start time Kick off time: 7pm ET Saturday (July 26)Venue: MetLife Stadium — East Rutherford, New JerseyTV Channel, Streaming: Peacock Manchester United team news, focus OUT: Andre Onana (hamstring), Lisandro Martinez (torn ACL) West Ham team news, focus OUT: Crysencio Summerville (hamstring) Manchester United vs West Ham prediction On paper, West Ham are really going to struggle to create scoring chances, let alone actually score them, this season. Manchester United 2-0 West Ham.

Despite future contract questions, Ravens' first week of camp has been drama-free
Despite future contract questions, Ravens' first week of camp has been drama-free

New York Times

timean hour ago

  • New York Times

Despite future contract questions, Ravens' first week of camp has been drama-free

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy chose his words carefully on Thursday. The 34-year-old wouldn't say whether retirement was a strong consideration this offseason. He'd only describe his offseason as 'interesting,' but even when pressed, he didn't provide a whole lot of details to explain why. Advertisement 'I wouldn't go into that,' Van Noy said when asked specifically about whether he thought of retiring. 'There's just other situations where I feel like I'm very valuable, and some people think I'm more valuable than others.' It's not hard to read between the lines here. With his 12 1/2 -sack season last year, Van Noy thoroughly outperformed the two-year, $9 million contract he signed in April 2024. A first-time Pro Bowler last season who has 21 1/2 sacks since joining the Ravens during Week 4 of 2023, Van Noy has been one of the better bargains in the NFL. His base salary is just $2.75 million this year, and his cap number is $6.1 million. To what extent, if any, Van Noy and his agent lobbied for a contract bump is unclear. He hasn't griped publicly and showed up to training camp earlier this week ready to work. 'I'm here, it's good,' Van Noy said. 'I'm just grateful to be with my teammates. The end is closer than the beginning, right? I know that. I think everybody knows that, but I can play as long as I want to. That's my mindset. I thought about a lot this offseason, and I'm just grateful to continue to play. My body is still good, and I can still play at a high level. 'I really think I'm one of the best in the league. My stats show it the last two years. I'm top 10 in a lot of stuff. I still go under the radar, which is fine. I've just got to keep waking people up, and I'm grateful to do it with people that feel the same way, that have the same mindset.' Van Noy's approach is shared by numerous Ravens on the roster. They have a host of starters and standout players either entering their contract years or worthy of extensions or bumps. However, general manager Eric DeCosta is also somewhat limited in what he can do, given the organization's lack of salary-cap flexibility. Advertisement Quarterback Lamar Jackson's cap number swells to $74.5 million next year, so he's the biggest domino when it comes to contract decisions for the Ravens. They'll need to either rework or extend his current deal to have any flexibility to make moves next offseason. The list of pending free agents includes all three of the team's tight ends (Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar), two-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, starting nose tackle Travis Jones, and returning double-digit sackers Van Noy and Odafe Oweh. There are others, too. Yet, there have been no hold-ins, holdouts or public complaints about contracts. The Ravens' first week of training camp has been characterized by a decisive lack of drama, with Andrews setting the tone on Tuesday when he talked about the unselfishness of the team. 'I don't want to speak for everybody else. Everybody has a unique situation, but we all care about football, and we're all here,' said Ravens fourth-year safety Kyle Hamilton. 'We try our best to limit distractions, and business is business. It is a business that we play in, so stuff happens sometimes, but we're all here. We all just want to play football.' The Ravens picked up Hamilton's fifth-year option, so he's under contract through the 2026 season. However, as one of the top safeties in the sport, Hamilton's price figures only to rise the longer it goes before he's extended. On the same day Hamilton's option was picked up, the Ravens announced that they were declining Linderbaum's fifth-year option. But they were still interested in extending the center's contract. With the start of the regular season six weeks away, the clock is ticking. Linderbaum said he'd let his agent Neil Cornrich handle the talks. 'My job is to be as prepared as possible and get this football team ready to go Week 1,' Linderbaum said Friday. 'That's all I'm really worried about.' Advertisement Linderbaum was a fixture at the facility during the offseason, attending the voluntary workout program and organized team activities. Asked what compelled him to go that route despite his contract uncertainty, Linderbaum said, 'I need to work on my craft and I need to get better.' • Friday's practice standout was second-year cornerback Nate Wiggins, who was all over the field. Wiggins broke up two passes and had tackles for losses on back-to-back plays. First, Wiggins got a jump on Cooper Rush's screen pass to Anthony Miller. He probably could have intercepted the ball, but to avoid a collision, Wiggins settled for touching Miller down behind the line of scrimmage. On the very next play, Wiggins broke through and brought down Justice Hill for a loss on a running back sweep. In full-team work, Wiggins was trailing Rashod Bateman, but Jackson's pass was slightly underthrown, allowing Wiggins to get back in the play and break it up. Matched up against Bateman again later in practice, Wiggins cut in front of the receiver and deflected a Jackson pass as his helmet was coming off. Wiggins punctuated the play by joining fellow cornerback Jaire Alexander in doing Alexander's seatbelt celebration. 'I think he's going to be one of the best in the league. I'm kind of throwing that out a lot today, but I truly believe that,' Hamilton said. 'Nate is one of those guys who is not afraid to line up against whoever. Nameless, faceless opponent, line it up and let's run it. I think he's probably going to have one of the bigger jumps from last year to this year than anybody on the team.' .@WigginNathaniel on fuego — Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) July 25, 2025 • On a day when the Ravens' offense had trouble getting anything going and Jackson struggled with his accuracy, rookie sixth-round pick Tyler Loop provided one of the lone non-defensive highlights. Getting his turn in the kicking competition with fellow rookie John Hoyland, Loop ended a perfect 10-for-10 day on field goal attempts with a flourish. Loop was good with plenty of room to spare on a 63-yard field goal, earning loud cheers from the crowd and a high-five from coach John Harbaugh. Loop was good on his previous nine attempts, too, but they were all from 43 yards and in. He did hit a 68-yarder later in practice during a non-team portion. Advertisement • A day after missing practice with leg soreness courtesy of a hard landing on Day 1 of training camp, veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins returned to the field and made a few catches. His best was a sliding reception while being closely defended. Veteran receiver Keith Kirkwood was the lone new practice absence. Undrafted rookie running back Marcus Major left practice just before it ended and was flanked by two members of Baltimore's medical team. It was unclear what was ailing him, but the Ravens have only four other running backs on the roster and might have to make a move to add another ball carrier to get them through the preseason if there are injuries at the position. • Running back Keaton Mitchell continues to look elusive. On his short touchdown run late in practice, Mitchell showed his patience by staying behind a blocker before popping outside, where he had a clear path to the end zone. Mitchell has had a few drops early in camp, but from a speed and explosiveness perspective, he looks far ahead from where he was last season after he returned from a major knee injury. (Photo of Kyle Hamilton: Stephanie Scarbrough / Associated Press)

Newcastle United Are Planning £30m Bid For Brentford Striker After Failed First Bid: Good Decision From The Magpies?
Newcastle United Are Planning £30m Bid For Brentford Striker After Failed First Bid: Good Decision From The Magpies?

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Newcastle United Are Planning £30m Bid For Brentford Striker After Failed First Bid: Good Decision From The Magpies?

Over the past few years, Newcastle United have steadily built up their reputation in the Premier League. From being a mid-table side, they are now competing regularly for a spot in the top four. Under Eddie Howe, the team surprised many big clubs and moved on to Champions League football. However, injuries and a lack of squad depth plagued them last season. Now preparations have begun for next season, and the club want a more solid strategy this time around. Newcastle United are in search of Yoane Wissa NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – MAY 01: Yoane Wissa of Brentford celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Brentford FC at City Ground on May 01, 2025 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by) The club are very clear about Alexander Isak – they want to keep him at all costs. However, the management know that the plans ahead will not be able to survive on Isak alone. That's why the club are looking for a player who can support Isak and also provide finishing when needed. The Magpies have been keeping tabs on a striker for a few weeks now—Brentford's Yoan Wissa. According to a report in The Times, Newcastle United have already agreed personal terms with Wissa. The club initially made a £25 million bid, but Brentford rejected it. Now the club are set to return with a revised offer that could be around £30 million. However, it's clear that this offer may still not satisfy Brentford. Is Wissa the player Newcastle are looking for? Wissa has the athleticism and pace to fit in as an option in Eddie Howe's squad. He has precise positioning in the box, and his off-the-ball movement is impressive. Plus, the Brentford striker has proven himself time and again against Premier League defenders. Newcastle United are being very smart in the transfer market at the moment. Given Wissa's age, experience and proven performance in the league, this could be a smart signing. However, at £30 million, if Brentford refuse again, the club will have to decide whether they will increase the bid further or move on to another option. Brentford are well aware of Wissa's importance to the club. They will not let him go with just a mediocre bid. Newcastle United will have to prove both their intent and determination. If the club want to bring in another striker alongside Isak who can share the scoring pressure, they will have to make a decisive move. In our opinion, if Newcastle are willing to go up to £35 million, Brentford will probably agree, and this investment could make a big difference in the coming seasons.

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