What is the Women's Champions Cup?
What is the format?
Arsenal, Gotham and the South American representative have all received byes to the semi-finals.The first round will see Wuhan face Auckland for a place in the second round.The winner of that match will face the side from Africa in the second round.The winners of the second round tie will face Arsenal in the semi-finals, with Gotham and the team from South America playing in the other.The winners of the two semi-finals will face each other in the final, while the losers will face off in the third-place play-off.A host country for the semi-finals and final has yet to be confirmed.This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.
What is Ask Me Anything?
Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.The team will find out everything you need to know and be able to call upon a network of contacts including our experts and pundits.We will be answering your questions from the heart of the BBC Sport newsroom, and going behind the scenes at some of the world's biggest sporting events.Our coverage will span the BBC Sport website, app, social media and YouTube accounts, plus BBC TV and radio.
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Daily Mail
22 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Prince William takes Princess Charlotte, 10, on sweet father-daughter outing to cheer the Lionesses at the Women's Euro final
Prince William has been pictured taking his daughter Charlotte, 10, on a sweet father-daughter outing to cheer on the Lionesses at the Women's Euro final. The Royal's appearance was widely-anticipated at the stadium in Switzerland tonight with sources confirming he would be there to support the team. In a social media post, he had said: 'Good luck to the Lionesses tomorrow. 'The nation is so proud you are through to the final, after some stunning comebacks! We are all cheering you on!' Charlotte was snapped this afternoon standing close to her father in a sweet blue polka dot dress. The Royal Family also kicked off well-wishes this morning with a post that read 'Let's go girls!!' as fans all over the nation decked out windows with England flags. It comes as the boyfriend of England star Ella Toone backed the Lionesses today ahead of their big game tonight where the squad will seek 'redemption' in the Women's Euro Final. Joe Bunney uploaded a post to social media today which he captioned 'Big day ahead. Redemption time. Come on girls' in reference to the team's nailbiting loss to Spain in the 2023 World Cup Final. England's women now have the opportunity to seek their revenge as they play the country tonight. Supporters watching the match in Basel, Switzerland were also pictured kitted out head-to-toe in red and white. In a post uploaded to X this morning the Royal Family shared a clip of guardsmen performing the iconic England anthem 'It's coming home' outside Buckingham Palace. The accompanying caption read: 'Let's go girls!! Wishing the very best of luck to the Lionesses in the Women's Euro Final this evening.' Downing Street also shared in the football fever as it decked outs its railing with bunting and displayed the flag of St George in its windows. Number 10 said: 'Good luck today, Lionesses. Let's bring it home.' Speaking to MailOnline at Wembley, where fans have gathered to show their support ahead of watching a livestream of the match, supporters told of their 'excitement' insisting 'we're going to win'. Sophie McCusker, who was joined by her three friends outside the stadium said: 'We've come from Liphook, which is a small village, and are huge football fans. This is the biggest game of the ear. We're so excited. Number 10 Downing Street also got in the spirit as it sported the flag of St George on its windows and bunting on the railing England fans hold up a 'Proper England' banner as they participate in the fan walk to the stadium prior to the game The fanzone is already starting to fill up and photos show jubilant supporters dancing and enjoying a cool drink in the run-up to the game 'Women couldn't play football for what 50 years, I think we'll catch up with the men in 10. 'In the last few years the standard has just gone up and up. It's definitely beginning to be taken more seriously, we saw some dads on the way in here. 'Our dads are the reason we started playing, it would be so special if they were here.' Sophie's friend Genevieve Turner predicted the score as 2-1 extra time to England and 'maybe even penalties'. She said: 'I can't wait. We're going to win.' In contrast, Katie Fuller and Charlotte Brown, both 25, said they hadn't any predictions for the score and 'don't want to put any energy into it' and they 'didn't want it to go wrong'. Charlotte said: 'We were just out in Switzerland to watch the Norway game - it was wild. There were loads of English fans there. Some men as well, so it is happening. Men are coming. The atmosphere is gonna be insane. 'The atmosphere is going to be electric in there, we've been to the games at Wembley before so this is definitely the place to be.' Father and daughter John, 60, and Emma, 25, were also out enjoying the pre-match buzz. Emma said: 'We're local so we come to BoxPark all the time, the atmosphere in there is electric.' Her father, John, added: 'It's very different from the men's, much more friendly. It's better, more enjoyable. No drinks being thrown about or drugs, people are just there for a good time. It should be taken more seriously, hopefully if we win tonight it will all change.' The pair said they predicted a 2-1 win to England hoping the team score early and 'Spain won't be hogging the ball like in the man's games'. Phoebe, 16, was joined by her mother Carly, 46, outside Wembley. Predicting 2-0 to England, the pair said they were 'so nervous'. Carly added: 'I can't wait to see what the atmosphere will be like, we just got here so it will be interesting to see if it's different from the men's. We're just here to support women.' Some fans have also spoken of their disappointment as they say they were refused entry to BoxPark. The furious supporters had travelled from Cambridge having booked tickets six weeks ago when the event was free - but following England's progression to the final the event has now sold out and the group have been denied entry. Describing it as a 'complete scam', Jessica said: 'I'm just devastated, we've travelled all this way & we're such huge fans. There's people getting in there without England tops on & we're clearly dressed for the occasion.' Jasmine added: 'I play football so tonight means a lot to me, if we don't get in I'll be gutted. We will pay, we've got no issue with that, but they've point blank refused us entry.' Despite scenes elsewhere of jubilant supporters, Laura painted a different picture, saying: 'We've got here and there's no real atmosphere, no real support. If this were the men's the streets would be packed out. 'We're waiting to speak to the manager now - if we can't get in, we'll be gutted. Where are we supposed to go?' Meanwhile the fanzone in Basel, Switzerland has filled up fast and photos show jubilant supporters dancing and enjoying a cool drink in the run-up to the game. Some supporters have also got in the spirit with cardboard cut-outs of the players and large flags that read 'Lionesses Roar to the Final'. Other fans to share their good luck messages this morning included The Spice Girls. The Chase star and 'Dark Destroyer' Shaun Wallace said: 'Let's hope the Lionesses get the gift of a great performance and bringing it home tonight! Make the most of everyday, every day is a gift. 'Have a fantastic Sunday and good luck to the Lionesses tonight.' This evening's match will begin at 5pm as England bids for its second title in a row following the team's victory against Spain in the previous tournament. England's captain Leah Williamson said the team are 'aware' and 'connected' to what it would mean if the nation won today. She added: 'I think we don't necessarily carry the weight of it [the expectations] and how much it means to people, but we are aware of it because it means the same to us. 'We recognise the opportunity and will do everything we can to take it.' The Lionesses faced a tough group in the initial stages but sailed through to the knockout rounds. A dramatic penalty shootout saw them emerge victorious in the quarter-final against Sweden. Some fans are also getting the fanfare going with cardboard cut-outs of the players and large flags that read 'Lionesses Roar to the Final' And then they beat Italy 2-1 in extra time in the semi-final - marking another stunning comeback. England and Spain remain the two best sides in Europe - though the Lionesses are expected to be in for a tough fight if they wish to emerge victorious, as Spain won their most recent match 2-1 on June 3. They will also be looking for redemption against Spain, who edged them 1-0 in the 2023 Women's World Cup final. Messages of support have also poured in from the likes of the cast of EastEnders, with Heather Pearce - who plays the character Eve Panesar-Unwin in the British sitcom - saying: 'You've already done us proud and you've inspired a nation - particularly my three little girls.' She added on behalf of the cast: 'We wish you all the luck on Sunday night.' Prince William is expected to be at the stadium in Switzerland tonight at the St Jakob-Park stadium cheering the Lionesses on. In a social media post, he said: 'Good luck to the Lionesses tomorrow. 'The nation is so proud you are through to the final, after some stunning comebacks! We are all cheering you on!' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: 'Into the final and inspiring the nation. Let's bring it home.' Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson added the team had 'absolutely smashed it', saying 'everybody is so proud of you'. One England fan joked to Sky News he 'had hair' before England's nerve-racking run to the final. He added: 'I'm a bit nervous but fingers crossed - we're going to win.' Today's match kicks off at 5pm UK time in Basel, Switzerland, and will be broadcast live on both BBC One and ITV1.
The Independent
24 minutes ago
- The Independent
F1 standings after Belgian GP as Oscar Piastri extends lead to Lando Norris
F1 returns after a three-week mid-season break for the Belgian Grand Prix at the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit - and the third sprint weekend of the 2025 season. Lando Norris won his home race last time out at the British Grand Prix, capitalising on teammate Oscar Piastri 's penalty to claim his second victory in a row. Piastri's lead in the world championship is now just eight points at the halfway stage of the season. Nico Hulkenberg secured his first-ever podium in F1 at Silverstone, while Lewis Hamilton once again finished fourth as he continues to chase a first podium in Ferrari red. Hamilton won last year's race at Spa-Francorchamps after George Russell was disqualified. This weekend's race will also be the first since Christian Horner's dismissal at Red Bull, with Laurent Mekies taking charge for the first time. F1 driver standings after Belgian GP 1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 266 points 2. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 250 points 3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 185 points 4. George Russell (Mercedes) – 157 points 5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 139 points 6. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 109 points 7. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 63 points 8. Alex Albon (Williams) – 54 points 9. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) - 37 points 10. Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 27 points 12. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 22 points 12. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 20 points 13. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 20 points 14. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 16 points 15. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 16 points 16. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 16 points 17. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – 10 points 18. Ollie Bearman (Haas) – 8 points 19. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) – 6 points 20. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – 0 points 21. Jack Doohan (Alpine) – 0 points F1 constructor standings (TBC) 1. McLaren - 473 points 2. Ferrari - 227 points 3. Mercedes - 210 points 4. Red Bull - 180 points 5. Williams - 62 points 6. Sauber - 41 points 7. Racing Bulls - 37 points 8. Aston Martin - 36 points 9. Haas - 35 points 10. Alpine - 19 point
Daily Mirror
25 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Barcelona boss explains why Marcus Rashford was given 'biggest humiliation' on debut
Marcus Rashford has joined his new Barcelona team-mates on their pre-season tour of Asia and the Manchester United loanee made his first appearance against Japanese side Vissel Kobe They say it is the biggest humiliation a footballer can experience: being a substitute that, after getting on the pitch, is then subbed off. So why did Hansi Flick bring on Marcus Rashford for 30 minutes on his Barcelona debut - and then take him off again? Rashford, 27, appeared for the first since completing his season-long loan move from Manchester United in midweek, ending his exile at Old Trafford. The forward's transfer - which includes a £26million option to buy - was finalised in time for him to fly to Japan with the rest of Barca's squad, as they embark on a pre-season tour of Asia. First up was a clash with Japanese side Vissel Kobe in a friendly match which was initially suspended before organisers scrambled to make it happen. Rashford was named on the bench by Flick before the German changed his entire line-up at half-time. The United loanee showed promise during his 30-minute cameo, notably playing a crucial role when fellow new signing Roony Bardghji got on the scoresheet in Barcelona's 3-1 win. After defender Jofre Torrents won back possession on the left, Rashford collected the ball and played a perfectly-weighted pass through to Robert Lewandowski. Barca's No.9 then picked out Bardghji on the right, as the former Copenhagen hotshot produced an impressive first-time finish. Seconds later, Rashford was brought off. The England international and Torrents were replaced by Gerard Martin and Pedro Fernandez, scorer of Barcelona's third goal, in the 77th minute. Post-match, Flick was asked about his decision to haul both Rashford and Torrents off after half an hour each. "Rashford hasn't played that much, and we also wanted to give Gerard Martin 15 minutes because he was playing after his injury," the Barcelona manager explained. Which, obviously, makes perfect sense for a player who, just seven days ago, was a member of Manchester United's 'bomb squad' training alone and made to use the club's Carrington training ground when the first-team squad had gone home. For Flick, these early days are about getting Rashford up to speed, slowly but surely, helping him adjust to what he wants. Do it correctly, and it's another match winner among Barca's collection of stars. Subbing him on and then off in a pre-season friendly? Not a problem for the manager nor his new player. Flick was a 'key' reason why Rashford joined the La Liga champions, having led Barcelona to three trophies in his first season. "He was another key factor for me to join Barca," the 27-year-old revealed during his unveiling. "The conversations I had with him were very positive. He has proven to be one of the top coaches... He led a young team to such a successful season and has returned to the preseason wanting more." Rashford's team-mates are already looking forward to playing alongside him. "Rashford is a very talented player," Lewandowski told reporters in Japan. "We played Manchester United two years ago and he was in great form. He can help us and is able to play in different positions." Next up for Barca is a friendly against Seoul in the South Korean capital on Thursday. Rashford will have a reunion with ex-United team-mate Jesse Lingard, who captains the K-League giants.
