Leah Williamson hopes England show they are no ‘flash in the pan' in Euros final
The Lionesses forever transformed women's football in England when they lifted their first major trophy at their home European Championship in 2022, and now hope to become the nation's first senior football side to win one away from home.
Williamson is adamant everyone in camp is 'connected to what it means', but insisted the Lionesses remain unburdened by the weight of the nation's hopes.
'The landscape keeps changing and we're trying to change with it,' said Williamson, when asked what she hoped their legacy would be after this tournament.
'I think that's a really hard thing to do and I think that proves the investment and the quality of the game in England is continuing to rise.
'You don't just want to be sort of a flash in the pan, like a memory and I think that when we spoke before 2022, we said it was the start of something.
'And I think we're still trying to play our role in that as well. So being here and being on this stage, we know how powerful that is and I hope that just continues to grow.
'The respect for the women's game, the respect for women and women's sport in general continues, and we can try our best to continue to elevate that.'
Williamson disagreed with England being branded as underdogs to Spain, who beat them in the 2023 World Cup final – England's first – and have played a flawless campaign so far.
The Lionesses, in contrast, suffered an opening defeat to France and required back-to-back late comebacks in the knockouts.
Sarina Wiegman's side, who beat Italy on Tuesday night, are coming into the contest with an statistically-favourable extra day's rest and hope to have a full squad at their disposal after Lauren James trained on Saturday morning.
Williamson admitted she would never take England's Wembley triumph three summers ago for granted.
But, she said: 'I think the beautiful thing about 2022 was that I'm not sure if any of us will ever be part of anything like that again, in terms of the change, in terms of the story, the journey, everything, but being away from home is special in a different way.
'You go out, you represent your country somewhere else and I think the weight of that is important to consider, because it sometimes adds a little extra.'
England, Williamson insisted, were staying measured, even under considerable pressure to make more history.
'I think we're very connected to what it means to the nation,' Williamson added. 'In that sense, we are connected as we can be, being away from home.
'I think the opportunity of tomorrow and what is on offer is the best thing in football. We came to the tournament, we wanted to be here, we wanted to be in it until the end and have a chance to fight for that trophy.
'You can't do that until you get in the final. I think we don't necessarily carry the weight of it, how much it means to people, but we're aware of it because it means the same to us.
'You have a squad of excited, focused players. We recognise the opportunity and we will do everything we can to take it.'
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North Wales Chronicle
8 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Thousands set to descend on London as Lionesses' Euros celebrations continue
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Daily Mail
13 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Fans heap praise on England heroes Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton for passionately saying they're 'proud to be English' in Euros victory interviews
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You can't write the English off. '[We are] history makers once again. We have an unbelievable manager behind us and staff. And the fans, who have been incredible the whole tournament. I'm so proud to be English'. She was asked about inspiring young footballers, she added: 'It's a huge. Every girl out there with that dream: you can do it. Keep shooting for the stars'. She added to BBC Sport: 'I am so proud of this team. So grateful to wear this badge. So proud to be English. I hope the whole of England comes out to support us and shows their love to these girls as they deserve it.' Chloe Kelly led the Lionesses as they partied through the night after another extraordinary Euros win in Switzerland. Princess Charlotte 's beaming smile and jubilant celebrations perfectly captured the nation's mood last night as England sealed a dramatic victory over Spain on penalties. 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The England team celebrated long into the night at an after party in Switzerland, where players joined family and friends to let their hair down. Ella Toone sang karaoke as England manager Sarina Wiegman and captain Leah Williamson cut a celebratory cake together. After the match Prince William and Charlotte penned a personal note to the team, marking the first time the Princess has ever signed off an official message. It said: 'What a game! @lionesses, you are the champions of Europe and we couldn't be prouder of the whole team. Enjoy this moment @England. W & Charlotte.' Fans across the country were pictured standing on tables, waving flags, throwing drinks in the air and excitedly hugged each other as England claimed victory, while the Prince of Wales and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer watched on from the stands in Basel, Switzerland. Speaking after the match Chloe Kelly gushed that she was 'so proud of this team, so grateful to wear this badge' and 'so proud to be English'. 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England's European Championship winning players arrive to celebrations after the game Followed quickly by a message from King Charles to offer the team with his most 'heartfelt congratulations'. It read: 'This brings you, your manager and all your support team my most heartfelt congratulations on winning the EUROS 2025. 'For more years than I care to remember, England fans have sung that famous chant 'football's coming home'. 'As you return home with the trophy you won at Wembley three years ago, it is a source of great pride that, through sporting skill and awesome teamwork, the Lionesses have made those words ring true. 'For this, you have my whole family's warmest appreciation and admiration. 'More than that, though, you have shown through your example over past weeks that there are no setbacks so tough that defeat cannot be transformed into victory, even as the final whistle looms. 'Well done, Lionesses. The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can!' William and Charlotte were pictured in Switzerland as the royal family led the nation in wishing good luck to England's Lionesses. Shortly before kick-off, an image of the pair was posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales 's X account with the caption 'let's go, Lionesses'. England supporters celebrate during the penalty shootout England's Hannah Hampton shakes hands with Prince William Joy for England fans as Alessia Russo heads home to make the score 1-1 The Prince of Wales (centre left) and Princess Charlotte react as Spain's Mariona Caldentey scores their side's first goal Charlotte has been pictured this afternoon standing close to her father in a sweet blue polka dot dress England fan celebrates winning the penalty shootout England's Alessia Russo (centre) celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game with Chloe Kelly Sir Keir Starmer is seen in attendance with his wife Victoria Starmer Princess Charlotte of Wales during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Final match The Prince of Wales, who is patron of the Football Association (FA), applauded the national anthem as he stood next to Charlotte in the stadium. He was also joined by Sir Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria. In a show of support ahead of the final, the Band of the Grenadier Guards performed Three Lions on the Buckingham Palace forecourt, while the royal family's official X account posted: 'Wishing the very best of luck to the @Lionesses in the Women's Euro Final this evening.' Defender Lucy Bronze shocked fans by revealing she played the entire Women's Euro 2025 tournament with a fractured tibia — an injury she had kept secret until after the final. The 33-year-old was taken off at half-time in extra time during Sunday's final, which ended 1-1 before England beat Spain 3-1 on penalties in Basel. But when asked about the new knee injury she picked up during the game, Bronze casually disclosed that she had already been playing through far worse. 'I have actually played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia,' she told BBC Sport. 'And then I have hurt my knee on my other leg. '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. Very painful.' The previously undisclosed injury sparked an outpouring of disbelief and admiration across social media on Sunday night. 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. Champions! Congratulations @Lionesses — what a team. What a game. What drama. You dug deep when it mattered most and you've made the nation proud. History makers. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 27, 2025 England fans show the strain at Newcastle's St. James' STACK as they watch the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 England fans react as they watch a live broadcast of the Women's Euro final England fans during a screening of the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 final match between England and Spain The big screen showing the record overall tournament attendance figure during the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 final 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.'
North Wales Chronicle
20 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Hannah Hampton's parents: ‘We've always known she will be England's number one'
The 24-year-old from Birmingham was named player of the match after the final, where her two saves in the penalty shootout with Spain helped secure victory for England. Speaking to ITV News, Hampton's mother Laura said: 'I don't think I could put it into words how proud I am. 'She has worked hard. She deserves this. The team deserve it. The Euros needed to come home.' Her father Chris added: 'To get to the standards they're at, they've had to give up so much in their early lives. 'This is the reward that having done all that has brought them and for that, I mean, I'm so proud that she's just carried on working hard, showing the enthusiasm … always up for the challenge of trying to be her best and that's all she wants to do.' The goalkeeper announced on Monday that her grandfather had died just two days before the Lionesses' triumphant Euro 2025 campaign began. Posting to her Instagram alongside a picture of her green England shirt with 'grandpa' printed in the neckline, Hampton wrote: 'Dear Grandpa. 'Two days before the biggest tournament of my life, you left. It still doesn't feel real. I kept thinking when I'd call Nannie I'd hear your voice again – one of your jokes, or one of those little comments you'd make that somehow said everything without saying much at all. 'You were one of my biggest supporters. You believed in me before I even knew what this journey would look like.' The Chelsea stopper had usurped Euro 2022 winner Mary Earps to become Sarina Wiegman's first-choice keeper and was under enormous pressure to deliver in Switzerland. Her mother praised her daughter for her resilience, and said: 'I think we've always known Hannah will be England's number one. 'It's always been her target. She's such a hard worker. Her mantra is keep plodding on. That's what she does, and she will continue to keep plodding on. 'This isn't the end for Hannah. This is another stepping stone.'
