Latest news with #Alessia
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
England hero Russo honoured by mural after Lionesses' historic triumph
Bearsted FC, in Maidstone, which received £10,000 of funding from The National Lottery during Covid, saw the new mural unveiled, recognising Russo and the Lionesses' unprecedented achievement of winning back-to-back Euros titles and reaching the last three major international finals. Russo scored a crucial equaliser to help England retain their European crown against Spain, with the Lionesses winning 3-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw. A mural of Alessia was unveiled to inspire the next generation of talent (Image: Getty Images for The National Lottery) Thanks to National Lottery players, £15.8m of funding is already invested over the next two years in getting more girls across England to play. Over the last 30 years, the National Lottery has invested more than £6 billion into grassroots sport – including changing the game for women and girls' football across the UK. In attendance at the mural unveiling Bearsted FC was England legend and former record cap holder Rachel Yankey, who said: 'I'm hugely proud of Alessia. I was really pleased yesterday that she got the goal that brought us back into the game. It was a fantastic header and shows you just what sort of a striker she is. 'Looking at this mural, every kid that comes out of Bearsted FC will see it and with it being a homegrown player, people feel more connected, because it was someone local that's gone on to be a star, and they might think, 'if they can do it, then I can do it'. It makes it even more powerful.' The mural was funded by the National Lottery, who also gave the club £10,000 during the Covid-19 pandemic which was imperative to their survival. Since then, the club has gone from strength to strength and now has five girls' teams within its ranks, up from zero in 2021. Bearsted chair Jamie Houston, who has been in the role six years, was grateful for the support the club had received from the organisation. (Image: Getty Images for The National Lottery) 'The National Lottery helped us back in COVID times, it was a tough time for the club,' the 53-year-old explained. 'They stepped up with a grant and it was survival for us; it was so important. Now they've stepped forward again. What a lovely thing to do. 'Girls now all want to be the next Alessia Russo and it's great they've got a role model they can relate to. We've got this picture on the side of our clubhouse now which we can keep forever. It's an amazing picture and the under-8 girls have been absolutely loving it too. It's so exciting. To me, that's what makes it all worthwhile, to see big smiles on their little faces, it's amazing.' 'It's been so important. We've needed that Lottery investment to make sure that we keep sport going for kids and that they have safe spaces to play and thrive because everybody on that pitch yesterday would have started somewhere," added Yankey. 'I feel proud that actually the visibility of the game is really being thought about and that our current role models are being used to inspire the next generation.'
Metro
a day ago
- Sport
- Metro
We coached Lionesses when they were kids - here's why we knew they'd be winners
As a double-EURO-winning Lioness, Alessia Russo is used to having all eyes on her. She dragged England back into the match last night after scoring an equaliser about an hour in, taking the match to penalties which the Lionesses eventually won. Even as a girl, playing at her local football club, she caught the attention of coaches and parents alike. 'We used to watch her play, it was a bit unusual to have a girl playing in a boy's team,' Jamie Stevens, first team manager at Bearsted FC, told Metro. 'When I was running our younger kids' teams, Alessia used to be playing on the pitch next to us. 'Everyone used to stand and watch, because she stood out, even at that young age. 'That always stands out, when you're watching someone score goals nigh on every single game they play.' Bearsted FC is among the dozens of schools and football clubs up and down the country celebrating the success of the Lionesses – and their former pupils. The team won after a penalty shootout in the Euro 2025 final against Spain on Sunday evening, eventually ending 3-1 to England. The match was England's first major trophy win abroad, after the Lionesses won Euro 2022 at home, and payback after England were defeated by Spain in the Women's World Cup final in 2023. Describing Alessia's rise to success, Jamie told Metro: 'It's fantastic. It doesn't surprise us with how she was when she was younger and how she's gone through the age groups, it isn't a surprise she's done so well. 'She's such a nice, humble person. She's got a great grounding from her family. 'It's been fantastic to watch, and watching her score the goal in the match on Sunday capped it off really.' Other schools and teams have been congratulating their former pupils who helped to lift the trophy for the Lionesses last night. Duchess's Community High School celebrated its former pupil Lucy Bronze, saying: 'Massive congratulations to Lucy Bronze on not only winning the Euros today but for being an inspiration to girls around the world. 'Her tenacity and bravery today meant that England lifted the trophy! Well done 'wor Lucy.' A crucial member of the team throughout the tournament, even revealing she had played with a broken tibia, Lucy began her career in the north east. She first played for Alnwick Town Juniors, where the club now have an award for the most outstanding female player each season named after her. Mick Keane, 63, club secretary and manager of the under 14s girls club told Metro: 'I think Lucy has already been inspiring the next generation, and will continue to do so. 'I think the aim now for a lot of the girls playing is seeing a local girl get to that heights that she has. Winning two Euros and getting to a World Cup final, I think it's more tangible than the men's game. 'I think they are all just normal girls, with normal backgrounds, who have gone on to achieve amazing things. They are all an inspiration to all the young girls out there wanting to play football. 'She's an absolute superstar and a fighter, and playing with an injury for the whole tournament sums up how much it meant to her.' Mick added: 'She came here to present the Lucy Bronze award to a girl on my team this year who won it and she was made up. 'I think it is a trait of all of the girls that they are so down to earth that it is what makes them even bigger role models. 'We're all just immensely proud of her and we will just keep supporting her as much as we can.' Upton Hall School shared a touching tribute to Niamh Charles, saying: 'Congratulations to Niamh who is the epitome of an Upton girl #excellence #companionship #dignity #hope' Brandon Groves Football Club, which coached Michelle Agyemang, has congratulated her after she was named Young Player of the Tournament at the 2025 EUROs. Michelle played for the boy's team at the club in Ockendon – but following her EUROs success she's set a trend amongst the girl's club there, with young players emulating her rolled-down socks and small shin pads. Teachers and coaches have shared their former pupils' star quality over the years, proving the Lionesses have had plenty of belief and support in their abilities – which has all been realised as they lifted the EUROs cup for the second time. Jo Green, head of PE at Leah Williamson's former school Ousedale School, told The Standard previously: 'We are exceptionally proud of Leah. It is no surprise that she has gone on to achieve what she has so early in her career. 'Leah was always a very kind, thoughtful and hard-working person in everything she did and we knew that Leah was destined to be successful. 'We are sure she will continue on to even greater successes.' Dean Brandrick is a coach for Warwick Juniors where Jess Carter first started her football career and 'stood out instantly' aged six. He told the BBC: 'She just shone, she had to play against the quality players of West Bromwich Albion, and Coventry City FC and was superb. More Trending 'At the end of her career with us she won the county cup, she was just above anybody at that time.' And Chloe Kelly's first coach at QPR, Steve Quashie, recalled how Chloe would 'showboat' and embarrass other players with her talent. 'Other boys who played in the area were saying: 'This kid's unbelievable, she's nutmegging me and doing rainbow flicks and I can't get the ball off her!',' he told The Times. 'Being with her older brothers in the cages, getting roughed up a little bit, showed her that she could compete with bigger players. There's just no fear in her.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: BBC Sports Personality of the Year odds: Euro 2025 legend Chloe Kelly leaps into contention with penalty heroics MORE: 'The Lionesses have transformed women's football – here's how we continue their work' MORE: Inside England Lioness Chloe Kelly's marriage to husband Scott Moore after unlikely first date
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Lionesses' Ella Toone and Alessia Russo's friendship will warm your heart
More than just footie friends, the Lionesses' star players Ella Toone and Alessia Russo go way back, and their sickly sweet bond has made fans go 'ahh' one adorable social media shout-out at a time. Growing up together, the England players shot to fame after winning the Euros with the squad last summer and have continued to capture the hearts of the nation with their unwavering support for one another. Ella, 25, and Alessia, 26, have played together since they were just 12 years old, and their time spent tag-teaming at Manchester United allowed for an almost telepathic connection on the pitch with their national team. As the women – led by coach Sarina Wiegman – tackle Spain this weekend in the UEFA Women's Euros 2025 final, here's a look inside the #friendship goals that is 'Tooney & Lessi Russoooooo'… The Tyldesley, Manchester, native first met the Maidstone, Kent, player when she was just 12 years old. Forming a fast friendship, the soon-to-be iconic duo became joint at the hip after they both signed contracts to play alongside each other at Manchester United. Spending three years learning to work as one, the close friends expressed their heartache as Alessia decided to leave the north and return to the south to play with Arsenal in January 2023. Commenting on her pal's big move at the time, Ella took to TikTok to share a message of support with Alessia, saying: 'Away from football, I just wanted to say best of luck to my best friend Alessia, moving clubs. 'I'm really proud of you and hope you smash it, I'm definitely going to miss you and spending time with you every single day. 'But I know you'll be great and I know we'll be friends forever. Love ya, miss ya and enjoy it.' The high-profile goal scorer reciprocated her friend's loving words and told GQ: 'There are so many highs and lows in football, and to have a constant in your best friend throughout that is really nice. 'We've seen each other at our best and worst. We've had the highest of highs last summer, winning the Euros together, and had some tough points too, but that just makes the friendship stronger. 'We've been friends since we were 12 or 13, and we'll be friends forever.' Despite working together on the field, the best friends regularly appear as a duo in the showbiz world too, joining each other on campaign shoots and for hilarious interviews. In 2023, for example, they tried a career in fashion modelling on for size and posed for Elle's front cover together. Adopting edgy outfits for the high-fashion shoot, the pair opened up about their goals as young girls and said: '[We] both had the dream of one day playing for England, so then to do it and [win], it was special. 'I don't think many best friends can say that they've done that.' Ella chimed in and added to Alessia's response, admitting she found fame 'hard to get used to'. Earlier this year, the athletes further reflected on their fame and their fears of their sporting careers impacting them when they want to start families. During an episode of their podcast, The Tooney & Russo Show, in which they were interviewed by DJ Vick Hope, Ella mused: 'Do I make sure I try and achieve what I can and then step away from the game and have my own family?' Alessia added that she, too, has anxieties about fertility as a top female footballer. The striker said: 'You don't know how you're going to come back, and you also don't know how long it can take to get pregnant or if you can have kids. You've just got to live in the here and now. More Trending 'With football and how fast it moves and how much you want to do and you want to win, it [having a family] takes a little bit of a backseat. 'But then I think it's exciting to know you've got another chapter after football where you can have a whole second life.' Whatever happens in the future, we have no doubt this pair will continue cheerleading for one another, with Ella proving how very cool it is to have a footie pal just weeks ahead of the Euros final. 'Not many best friends can say that they play for England together,' she declared after thrashing Wales 6-1. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Alessia Russo's new England role noticed after Lionesses' Euros semi-final win
Alessia Russo replacing Ellen White during Euro 2022 (Image: UEFA via Getty Images) Alessia Russo was the pretender to Ellen White's throne in England's Euro 2022 run but the apprentice has now become the master. White retired from international football just weeks after the Lionesses' Wembley triumph, allowing Russo to grow into the role of starting striker over the last three years. Now, as England prepare to face Spain in the final of Euro 2025, Michelle Agyemang has stepped into Russo's old role and begun learning from her Arsenal team-mate for country as well as for club. 'Michelle has been doing an incredible job but Alessia's been running herself into the ground,' England midfielder Keira Walsh said after super-sub Agyemang's goal against Italy helped Sarina Wiegman's team keep themselves alive in the tournament. 'I spoke to Alessia a little bit about it and it's almost like she's doing Ellen's role from the previous tournament. Ellen was incredible for 80 minutes and then Alessia would come on and finish the game for us, and those two [Alessia and Michelle] are kind of doing the same this tournament.' Spain, like England, needed extra-time to book their place in the final after Germany took them the distance in Zurich on Wednesday night. Aitana Bonmati was their match-winner, spinning away from her marker before drilling a low shot beyond Ann-Katrin Berger at the German keeper's near post just when penalties were looming Germany themselves came desperately close to snatching victory seconds from the end of the 90. Cata Coll was Spain's hero, though, with the goalkeeper showing incredible reflexes to claw away Elisa Senss' deflected effort and getting back up to deny Carlotta Wamser. READ MORE: Keira Walsh outlines hopes for Euro 2025 final as Lionesses face Spain repeat READ MORE: FA chief makes blunt social media demand after Lionesses star Jess Carter racially abused Spain's own substitutes played their part on Wednesday, with forwards Salma Paralluelo and Athenea del Castillo almost combining for a breakthrough in regular time, and Bonmati feels her country's stacked bench is a match for England's much-heralded 'finishers'. 'I know [England] played 120 minutes twice but we knew it would be a long match [against Germany] and it was a long match,' Bonmati said. 'We trust in our squad, we believe in our players - the eleven starters but we have on the bench a lot of players that can do better in the second half and extra-time. 'We have a big squad and we trust in all of them.' Walsh also recognised the depth of Spain's squad, appreciating that stopping Bonmati alone won't be enough. "She's an incredible player, but I think if you try and nullify her, I think Patri's been one of the best players at this tournament," she said. "So you can focus on Aitana and then you've got Patri, and then you've got Alexia [Putellas] and Mariona [Caldentey]. "For us we're not focusing on one player. We know what we can bring defensively and so we're just focusing on what we can do and then obviously we're going to have some chances as well that we need to take." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Buy the new Lionesses Euro 2025 kit Various Fanatics See the range The Lionesses are among the favourites to win this summer's Women's Euros and the new official kit is out now. Fans can snag home, away and a new goalkeeper shirts in time for the tournament.
The Irish Sun
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Love Island's Gio reveals why England footballer sibling was NEVER mentioned in the villa
FORMER Love Island star Giorgio Russo has opened up about Lioness sister Alessia - and how she wasn't featured during the show. In an exclusive conversation with talkSPORT, the ex islander - who is the brother of England Women 's and forward Advertisement 6 The ex islander is the brother of England Women's Alessia Russo Credit: ITV 6 Gio's sibling Alessia is a Lioness and Arsenal forward Credit: Alamy The explained that it wasn't down to him or his fellow islanders. Host Adrian Durham quizzed: "You didn't say to anybody in the villa that your sister plays for England... you dropped a few hints but you didn't say clearly, 'Oh my sister's at the Women's Euros 2025 for England'." "I did and there was a lot of conversation, so I never actually brought it up. Advertisement Read more "Someone figured it from my last name on day one - "There was times where we spoke about women's football quite a lot in the downtime and there was times where we spoke about all football in general. "All the boys in there, we all had a real camaraderie about being knowledgeable about football and we'd play football games and what have you. "But the topic of women's football and Alessia definitely came up a few times." Advertisement Most read in Love Island Alessia is the current holder of the FWA Women's . Before entering the villa, Gio revealed what his Champions League-winning sister thought about him signing up for . See Love Island bombshell's amazing transformation before villa watches every year and reckons I can do well, so she's excited to see how I get on." He said: "My sister plays pro football, so being interested in sport — they don't have to know football or understand it, but if they can show some sort of interest — because it is such a prominent thing in our family. Advertisement "It would be hard if they hated it. Other green flags are having a nice family — I'm sick of being the seventh wheel in my own family!" Following his sister's Champion's League success with Arsenal, Gio posted: "Turns out being related to a Champions League winner doesn't make me any better at football… but it does make me insanely proud. "Congratulations @alessia, you make me prouder and prouder to be your big brother everyday." The bombshell was part of one of the most savage recouplings the show's seen in years. Advertisement Gio had been given the greenlight to bring back someone new from his friendship partner Billykiss, but the Italian decided to return alone. The Maidstone lad is big into his fitness just like his Lioness sister. On his social media he shares many fitness related posts with his followers, which include running, surfing and working out. Advertisement Player of the Match Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton heroically pulled England through with a TAMPON in her nose. They came back from losing 2-0 with 11 minutes left of normal time - and are set to face Italy next. 6 The reality TV star has spoken about his sister not being mentioned on Love Island Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 6 Siblings Alessia and Gio at The World Cup Final in 2023 Credit: instagram/giorgiorusso__ Advertisement 6 The Love Islander has said how he is 'so proud' of his little sister Credit: instagram/giorgiorusso__ 6 Lionesses Alessia is looking to defend England's European title and is a Love Island fan Credit: Getty
