Latest news with #BarbaraBonansea
South Wales Argus
7 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Bronze believes third major final in a row proves England's mettle
The Lionesses came from behind for a second consecutive knockout fixture in Switzerland to beat Italy 2-1 after extra time in the semi-final. It means they will travel to Basel on Sunday to face either Spain or Germany in their third consecutive major tournament final. 'People say that England haven't been consistent in the past few years but getting to three consecutive major finals shows what this team is made of,' emphasised Bronze. 'We fight until the end. It probably wasn't our best performance again but Italy were a fantastic team as well, they started really well. 'It shows the fight that we have and the talent that we've got with players coming off the bench to make the difference.' Italy took the lead in the 33rd minute through Barbara Bonansea and looked set to see out the game with the slender advantage as they packed bodies behind the ball with five at the back. But the introduction of Michelle Agyemang once more proved vital to England's fortunes as she provided the equaliser in the 96th minute after just 11 minutes on the pitch. And while for fans the 19-year-old may be the surprise package of the tournament, her talent is not a well kept secret in the England camp. 'I'm not surprised [by Michelle],' admitted Bronze. 'I remember the first time she came to training I already knew this girl was destined to be part of this group. 'She did it coming on against Belgium, that was the first time for all the fans, and from that moment onwards we knew that she was going to be special. 'Obviously she needs time, she's a 19-year-old. She's doing fantastically coming off the bench and putting in performances and working hard. 'But the fact that she's 19 and she's got so many years to improve and keep getting better. It's frightening to think of the forwards and the attackers we've got at England and so many of them are so young as well.' The second difference maker would be a familiar face for Lionesses fans as 2022 hero Chloe Kelly stepped up to the plate when England won a penalty late into extra time. While the spot-kick supremo did not dispatch at the first time of asking, she was reactive enough to fire home the rebound to send her side through to the Euro 2025 final. '[Chloe] has got this attitude and this confidence that you can't buy,' said Bronze. 'She's a great teammate to have around. She's not started any of the games but every single game she's come on she's made a difference. 'She's one of those players you want on your team and not on the other team that's for sure.' It means England have now scraped through their quarter-final and semi-final, after recovering from a two-goal deficit against Sweden to triumph on penalties in Zurich. After Geneva also experienced the tumult of emotions, questions have been raised about the Lionesses' performances as they have consistently produced slow starts on the big stage. They also started their tournament as a whole slowly as they made their group stage a tough test after losing to France in their opening match. But Bronze insists belief has remained in the camp throughout, with the side focused on a trip to the St. Jakob Arena from the outset. 'We said it after the France game that we still believed we could still make it to the final,' she said. 'Maybe other people didn't believe that but losing that game brought us closer together and showed us what we needed to work on. 'We still made it to the final. Now tonight's just about recovering, obviously enjoying the moment, but we need to recover. 'We've played two 120 minutes and we want to be ready for the final.'
Daily Record
7 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
England Lionesses set for Euro 2025 final in Basel: Date, kick-off time and TV coverage details
England's Lionesses are through to the Euro 2025 final after completing a dramatic comeback win over Italy in their semi-final clash on Tuesday evening England's Lionesses have made it to their third consecutive major tournament final, following a thrilling comeback victory over Italy in the Euro 2025 semi-final on Tuesday. Barbara Bonansea put Italy ahead and England were teetering on the brink of elimination. However, super-sub Michelle Agyemang scored a last-gasp equaliser in the sixth minute of added time, keeping England's dreams alive. Fellow substitute Chloe Kelly held her nerve in extra-time after England were awarded a penalty, slotting home the rebound after her first attempt was saved. This victory means England will now face either Spain or Germany in the final as they aim to defend the trophy they won on home turf three years ago, having survived two extraordinary knockout matches. Here, Record Sport provides all the details you need to know ahead of the final, including match specifics and how to tune in.... When and where is England's final match? The final is set to kick off at 5:00pm BST on Sunday, 27 July 2025, at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland. The stadium, which can hold 34,250 spectators, is the home ground of FC Basel and is the largest football venue in Switzerland, notably hosting the 2016 Europa League final where Sevilla triumphed over Liverpool 3-1. How can you watch England in the final? In the UK, supporters will be spoilt for choice as the match will be broadcast live on both BBC One and ITV1, with coverage commencing at 4:00pm BST. Fans can also stream the match for free on BBC iPlayer and ITVX. BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds will also offer live commentary, while highlights will be available post-match on the BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer. What's been said? England skipper Leah Williamson has acknowledged her team's path to the final has been far from "not been smooth sailing", but has vowed the Lionesses will "give it everything we can" regardless of their opponents in Basel. "I am very proud," she declared following the victory over Italy. "I think everybody that plays for this team knows how lucky they are to have stepped into a time when we are so successful, but also just being a part of it, how inspirational it is for us, let alone everybody watching. "It has not been smooth sailing and I feel like things haven't necessarily gone to plan. We said before we came in and I said I am intrigued to see the level just keeps rising and there are more and more unknowns and you have to be ready for everything. "And I don't think it has gone smooth sailing for anybody yet, which is the point. It makes a great tournament and it shows what is going on. We just have to keep rising as well, this new England has to find their feet quicker, which is good."
Metro
7 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Italy complain about England penalty after Euro 2025 heartbreak
Italy were upset with England's late penalty decision after their Euro 2025 semi-final exit on Tuesday evening. Sarina Wiegman's side looked on course to be heading out of the competition in Switzerland as Barbara Bonansea's close-range strike gave Italy the lead in the first half. But Michelle Agyemang rode to England's rescue once again as she forced extra time with a last-gasp equaliser in the fifth minute of injury time. Another dramatic penalty shootout was on the horizon for England but the Lionesses were awarded a penalty deep into extra time when Emma Severini was adjudged to have pulled Beth Mead to the ground inside Italy's area. Chloe Kelly stepped up and saw her effort saved by Italy goalkeeper Laura Giuliani but the 27-year-old was the quickest off the mark to poke in the rebound to send England through to their third successive major tournament final where they will play either Spain or Germany. Speaking after the game, Italy head coach Andrea Soncin questioned whether England would have been punished for the same incident at that stage of extra time. 'I saw it very quickly, I spoke to the assistants who were reviewing it and they were holding each other back,' Soncin said. 'I'd be tempted to ask… would have been called in the other area at that point in the match? I don't know. 'It's a penalty that could or could not be given because the holding was mutual and light.' Meanwhile, Italy captain Cristiana Girelli suggested that Croatian official Ivana Martincic did not display 'top-notch refereeing' over the penalty incident. 'We came here to rekindle the fire that has been missing in recent years,' Girelli said. 'We want to thank you, but the disappointment is enormous because we were two minutes away from something historic. I'm proud of my teammates because we played an incredible match. 'Then, I can say, when the level rises this much, you also need top-notch refereeing. 'When you make important decisions, you have to keep a cool head. When you award a penalty like that, at least go and review it. 'But it's not an excuse, we could have doubled our lead in the final minutes and the match would have ended there. I'm proud of what we did; these are tears of sadness and pride.' Italy centre-back Elena Linari added: 'I'm particularly disappointed about the rebound that came back to level the score and I take my responsibility. More Trending Pubs can stay open until 1am for England vs Italy Euros semi final 'I was hoping for VAR on the penalty because I know Severini and if she tells me it wasn't a penalty I'll believe her.' Italy midfielder Manuela Giugliano also rued England's late fortune in the semi final. 'They definitely didn't deserve to win, we gave it our all and we have nothing to regret,' Giugliano said. 'We showed what the real Italy is, a team that wanted to reach the final and achieve a great goal not just for ourselves, but for all Italians. We definitely made people fall in love, and now we have to continue to prove we can stay at this level.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: England hero Chloe Kelly reveals Arsenal legend inspired iconic goal celebration MORE: Sarina Wiegman singles out 'special' England star and provides Lauren James injury update MORE: Ian Wright sends warning to 'lucky' Lionesses after reaching Euro 2025 final
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lucy Bronze believes third major final in a row proves Lionesses' mettle
Lucy Bronze believes England's qualification for the Euro 2025 final shows the mettle of the squad to prove their consistency at major tournaments. The Lionesses came from behind for a second consecutive knockout fixture in Switzerland to beat Italy 2-1 after extra time in the semi-final. It means they will travel to Basel on Sunday to face either Spain or Germany in their third consecutive major tournament final. 'People say that England haven't been consistent in the past few years but getting to three consecutive major finals shows what this team is made of,' emphasised Bronze. 'We fight until the end. It probably wasn't our best performance again but Italy were a fantastic team as well, they started really well. 'It shows the fight that we have and the talent that we've got with players coming off the bench to make the difference.' Italy took the lead in the 33rd minute through Barbara Bonansea and looked set to see out the game with the slender advantage as they packed bodies behind the ball with five at the back. But the introduction of Michelle Agyemang once more proved vital to England's fortunes as she provided the equaliser in the 96th minute after just 11 minutes on the pitch. And while for fans the 19-year-old may be the surprise package of the tournament, her talent is not a well kept secret in the England camp. 'I'm not surprised [by Michelle],' admitted Bronze. 'I remember the first time she came to training I already knew this girl was destined to be part of this group. 'She did it coming on against Belgium, that was the first time for all the fans, and from that moment onwards we knew that she was going to be special. 'Obviously she needs time, she's a 19-year-old. She's doing fantastically coming off the bench and putting in performances and working hard. 'But the fact that she's 19 and she's got so many years to improve and keep getting better. It's frightening to think of the forwards and the attackers we've got at England and so many of them are so young as well.' The second difference maker would be a familiar face for Lionesses fans as 2022 hero Chloe Kelly stepped up to the plate when England won a penalty late into extra time. While the spot-kick supremo did not dispatch at the first time of asking, she was reactive enough to fire home the rebound to send her side through to the Euro 2025 final. '[Chloe] has got this attitude and this confidence that you can't buy,' said Bronze. 'She's a great teammate to have around. She's not started any of the games but every single game she's come on she's made a difference. 'She's one of those players you want on your team and not on the other team that's for sure.' It means England have now scraped through their quarter-final and semi-final, after recovering from a two-goal deficit against Sweden to triumph on penalties in Zurich. After Geneva also experienced the tumult of emotions, questions have been raised about the Lionesses' performances as they have consistently produced slow starts on the big stage. They also started their tournament as a whole slowly as they made their group stage a tough test after losing to France in their opening match. But Bronze insists belief has remained in the camp throughout, with the side focused on a trip to the St. Jakob Arena from the outset. 'We said it after the France game that we still believed we could still make it to the final,' she said. 'Maybe other people didn't believe that but losing that game brought us closer together and showed us what we needed to work on. 'We still made it to the final. Now tonight's just about recovering, obviously enjoying the moment, but we need to recover. 'We've played two 120 minutes and we want to be ready for the final.'
Irish Independent
7 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
England saviour Michelle Agyemang ‘something special' says Sarina Wiegman
Agyemang has scored three times in her first four appearances for the defending champions, who were initially stunned in their 2-1 last-four comeback victory over Italy when Barbara Bonansea opened the scoring for the underdogs 33 minutes into the Geneva semi-final. But just as she did in their quarter-final against Sweden, the youngest Lioness in Switzerland came off the bench and levelled late in the second-half. clipping the crossbar in extra-time before fellow replacement Chloe Kelly emphatically buried the rebound from her own saved penalty late in the second period.
