Latest news with #Dutchwoman
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Clàudia Pina's double means England miss out on Nations League finals
Spain demonstrated why they are the favourites to win the Women's European Championship in Switzerland as they came from behind to beat England in Barcelona and top their Nations League group. The Spain substitute Claudia Pina proved to be the matchwinner, scoring twice and causing all sorts of problems for the England defence. After England held a half-time lead thanks to Alessia Russo', the Barcelona forward equalised just inside the hour mark, two minutes after coming on, when she created room for herself to shoot inside the box with her left foot and beat Hannah Hampton. Advertisement Related: Spain v England: Women's Nations League – live Her second goal was outstanding, struck with distance with power and finesse, with her strike bouncing in off the post and giving the new England No 1 no chance. The result ensured Spain progressed to October's semi-finals of the Nations League and England finish second in the group. It will have given the England head coach, Sarina Wiegman, plenty to ponder, with less than 48 hours before she names her final squad for July's Euros. The Dutchwoman, who has overseen 12 wins out of 12 in her two previous Euros campaigns as a head coach, named what appeared to be her strongest available starting side, but it was in the second half, when she began to introduce squad players, that Spain began to fully assert their superiority. Advertisement Spain had taken control of the possession, territory and chances from the beginning of the contest but they were initially thwarted and frustrated, largely thanks to an outstanding reaction save from Hampton The keeper demonstrated her quick reactions by denying Esther González from close range after the ball dropped kindly for the Spain forward from a corner. It was England who took the lead, however, as Russo marked her 50th cap with her 22nd goal for England, latching on to Keira Walsh's ball and having the pace and composure to stretch clear of Irene Paredes and then expertly roll her finish past Cata Coll and into the far bottom corner. The hosts were indignant, believing Salma Paralluelo had been fouled by Niamh Charles in the lead-up to the goal. Paralluelo had gone to ground after attempting to turn inside and the ball had rolled to a grateful Walsh, whose subsequent through ball to find Russo's run was exquisite. The Spanish crowd were intent on making their feelings clear to the officials, but perhaps they should have been more angry at their own players' failure to play to the whistle, with at least three Spain players appearing to pause as they appealed for the foul. The home supporters had a far stronger case to feel aggrieved just a few moments later – and their whistling intensified significantly – when the ball vhit Charles's outstretched arm inside the penalty area, as she had attempted to clear Alexia Putellas' left-wing cross. In line with Uefa's regulations for this stage of the competition, there was no video assistant referee so the officials were not able to have a second look. Advertisement The hosts remained on the attack and the Ballon d'Or winner, Aitana Bonmati, and her Barcelona team-mate Patri Guijarro rolled efforts wide from long range. After the break, Wiegman gave the Aston Villa midfielder Missy Bo Kearns her senior England debut, replacing Georgia Stanway, and soon afterwards swapped Jess Carter for Lucy Bronze at right-back, as well as Chloe Kelly being introduced to give Beth Mead a rest. While the Lionesses began to look weaker off the ball, Spain were getting stronger, after bringing on Pina to replace Paralluelo. After Pina – who was also on target in both legs of Barcelona's 8-2 aggregate victory over Chelsea in the Women's Champions League semi-finals in April – had scored her quick double, Spain saw out the victory in relatively comfortable fashion and they will head to Switzerland in strong form, having also enjoyed a 5-1 away victory against Belgium on Friday. England will host Jamaica in a friendly in Leicester on 29 June in their final fixture in preparation for the Euros but they will now seek to defend their Euros title off the back of one win and one defeat in their two Nations League meetings with Spain, who look to be the team to beat in Switzerland.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Williamson ‘devastated' by Earps' England exit but Wiegman quiet on talks
Leah Williamson says she is 'devastated' by Mary Earps's immediate retirement from international football while the England head coach, Sarina Wiegman, described the news as emotional but refused to be drawn on what conversations she had with the goalkeeper before the decision was made. The Euro 2022 winner shocked women's football on Tuesday with her announcement and reports on the reasons behind her decision have differed; some have accused Earps of quitting after allegedly being told she had been dropped while the Guardian understands Earps had weighed up the move for more than a year. Advertisement Related: Mary Earps made indelible mark with England and leaves big gloves to fill | Suzanne Wrack 'Of course I had a couple of conversations which I don't want to share here because that's between us,' Wiegman said. 'I find it [this news] hard and it's hard for her at the same time. She has done such a great job for England. We've had an incredible journey. I really cherish that. 'It's emotional because we also have a relationship and we've had such a massive journey together with lots of highs and of course some lows too. But we have to move on and we don't have time now to celebrate because we have a game tomorrow.' When asked if she tried to convince Earps to stay, Wiegman said: 'She knows I want her in the team, so of course, we talked about that.' Then asked specifically to clarify reports that Earps had told her she wanted to retire in April and Wiegman had asked her to reconsider, the Dutchwoman replied: 'As I said, we are in conversations all the time – I don't give any information about these private conversations we have.' Advertisement The England captain Williamson, reacting publicly to Earps's announcement for the first time, said: 'She's one of my closest friends in football in terms of what we've been through together, the journey that we've been on so I'm devastated just because I love her, I love being her teammate. 'I think the way that she wears the England shirt is an example to us all so I'm very sad, but for her, she thinks this is the best thing and I'll support her in that always. I know playing for a country meant everything to her. So for her to come to that decision, I will always respect that first, and I care about Mary as a human first before a footballer. But of course, we're a team and we want to win, and Mary in that team gives us a better chance of winning. I know that to be true.' Earps and the Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton had been battling for England's No 1 jersey this season and Wiegman added: 'Hannah Hampton is now the No 1. I said before [in a press conference in April] that she is 'a little bit ahead'. But you can't look too far forward because things in football change very quickly.' England are also currently without the Chelsea centre-back Millie Bright, who told her 'Daly Brightness' podcast on Tuesday that she had chosen to miss England's upcoming Women's Nations League games against Portugal and Spain to look after her mental health as well as her body. Williamson labelled Bright as 'brave' for opening up and encouraging others to do so and Wiegman said: 'Of course she has to take care of herself, we'll stay in contact and I hope she feels better soon. I hope that she takes the time that will help her to get settled again in time for the Euros.' Asked if England are doing enough to support players' mental health, Wiegman replied: 'We absolutely try our very, very best. Yes I think so, I hope so, I hope players experience it that way too. Of course, in our journey so far, things have changed massively but it also comes with higher demands and we have to adapt to that and that's not always easy.' Wiegman also revealed that the Arsenal striker Alessia Russo and the Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone will both miss Friday's game against Portugal at Wembley with calf problems, but hopes they can face Spain on Tuesday. It was also confirmed that Millie Turner (foot) is out of contention for July's Euros while Wiegman labelled Wednesday's news of the Tottenham Hotspur defender Ella Morris' ACL injury as 'awful and devastating'. However, there was more encouraging news for England about Lauren James' fitness. Wiegman said the Chelsea forward was 'doing really well' with her recovery and added: 'We want to get her back for the Euros and she wants that too. So far she has ticked the boxes that she needs to tick – we just hope she keeps moving forward so that she can join the team later on.'
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Williamson ‘devastated' by Earps' England farewell but Wiegman quiet on talks
Leah Williamson says she is 'devastated' by Mary Earps's immediate retirement from international football while the England head coach, Sarina Wiegman, described the news as emotional but refused to be drawn on what conversations she had with the goalkeeper before the decision was made. The Euro 2022 winner shocked women's football on Tuesday with her announcement and reports on the reasons behind her decision have differed; some have accused Earps of quitting after allegedly being told she had been dropped while the Guardian understands Earps had weighed up the move for more than a year. Related: Mary Earps made indelible mark with England and leaves big gloves to fill | Suzanne Wrack 'Of course I had a couple of conversations which I don't want to share here because that's between us,' Wiegman said. 'I find it [this news] hard and it's hard for her at the same time. She has done such a great job for England. We've had an incredible journey. I really cherish that. 'It's emotional because we also have a relationship and we've had such a massive journey together with lots of highs and of course some lows too. But we have to move on and we don't have time now to celebrate because we have a game tomorrow.' When asked if she tried to convince Earps to stay, Wiegman said: 'She knows I want her in the team, so of course, we talked about that.' Then asked specifically to clarify reports that Earps had told her she wanted to retire in April and Wiegman had asked her to reconsider, the Dutchwoman replied: 'As I said, we are in conversations all the time – I don't give any information about these private conversations we have.' The England captain Williamson, reacting publicly to Earps's announcement for the first time, said: 'She's one of my closest friends in football in terms of what we've been through together, the journey that we've been on so I'm devastated just because I love her, I love being her teammate. 'I think the way that she wears the England shirt is an example to us all so I'm very sad, but for her, she thinks this is the best thing and I'll support her in that always. I know playing for a country meant everything to her. So for her to come to that decision, I will always respect that first, and I care about Mary as a human first before a footballer. But of course, we're a team and we want to win, and Mary in that team gives us a better chance of winning. I know that to be true.' Earps and the Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton had been battling for England's No 1 jersey this season and Wiegman added: 'Hannah Hampton is now the No 1. I said before [in a press conference in April] that she is 'a little bit ahead'. But you can't look too far forward because things in football change very quickly.'
Leader Live
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Boss Renee Slegers reveals she predicted Arsenal's Champions League-winning goal
The Gunners remain the only English team to lift the trophy, doing so for a second time 18 years after they became the first as part of an historic quadruple-winning campaign. And it was a decision by the 36-year-old head coach that proved especially prescient as Blackstenius' fellow replacement Beth Mead provided the pinpoint pass to tee up the Sweden international. 'I was joking with Beth after the game, I was like, 'I told you, give the ball to Stina and she will score',' Slegers told DAZN. What it means 🏆🏆 — Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 24, 2025 'No, it's not that easy. You do everything you can, you make decisions all the time, players on the pitch and also on the sidelines, getting the timing right. 'All the credit to the players, how they've been dealing with this occasion has been superb.' Dutchwoman Slegers was a former assistant to ex-Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall, appointed to the top job on an interim basis when he and the club parted ways in October following a poor run of form. The Gunners have thrived under her, with multiple players crediting their young head coach throughout the campaign for helping them rediscover their love of the game. Renée Slegers, take a bow 👏#UWCL || #UWCLfinal — UEFA Women's Champions League (@UWCL) May 24, 2025 She has now paid off the club's faith in her, rewarding them with the silverware they have so long craved. On Saturday, at the home of Sporting Lisbon, Slegers' Arsenal showed incredible resilience, unfazed after a first-half Barcelona own goal was disallowed by VAR for offside, and resolute against waves of attack from the defending champions, who came close to opening the scoring when Claudia Pina clipped the crossbar shortly after the break. The Gunners held on to their advantage, fending off seven minutes of stoppage time before they could finally celebrate. Slegers' side eliminated the winners of the last nine combined Champions Leagues en route to this final, seeing off eight-time winners Lyon and now Barcelona, who have lifted the trophy in three of the last four seasons. Etched in history 🏆 — Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 24, 2025 The Gunners completed an impressive comeback over Lyon in the semi-finals after losing the first leg 2-1 at home, then beating the eight-time Champions League winners – and last season's runners-up – 4-1 in France to advance 5-3 on aggregate. Slegers added: 'I think Arsenal have always been leading the way since the start, and they have been working so hard as a club. But definitely you see things, this season, I think, in the team, and that's signs of a winning team. 'You struggle together, you suffer together, you find ways to win, and I think in the critical moments, in high-pressure moments, we've done that this season.'
North Wales Chronicle
24-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Boss Renee Slegers reveals she predicted Arsenal's Champions League-winning goal
The Gunners remain the only English team to lift the trophy, doing so for a second time 18 years after they became the first as part of an historic quadruple-winning campaign. And it was a decision by the 36-year-old head coach that proved especially prescient as Blackstenius' fellow replacement Beth Mead provided the pinpoint pass to tee up the Sweden international. 'I was joking with Beth after the game, I was like, 'I told you, give the ball to Stina and she will score',' Slegers told DAZN. What it means 🏆🏆 — Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 24, 2025 'No, it's not that easy. You do everything you can, you make decisions all the time, players on the pitch and also on the sidelines, getting the timing right. 'All the credit to the players, how they've been dealing with this occasion has been superb.' Dutchwoman Slegers was a former assistant to ex-Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall, appointed to the top job on an interim basis when he and the club parted ways in October following a poor run of form. The Gunners have thrived under her, with multiple players crediting their young head coach throughout the campaign for helping them rediscover their love of the game. Renée Slegers, take a bow 👏#UWCL || #UWCLfinal — UEFA Women's Champions League (@UWCL) May 24, 2025 She has now paid off the club's faith in her, rewarding them with the silverware they have so long craved. On Saturday, at the home of Sporting Lisbon, Slegers' Arsenal showed incredible resilience, unfazed after a first-half Barcelona own goal was disallowed by VAR for offside, and resolute against waves of attack from the defending champions, who came close to opening the scoring when Claudia Pina clipped the crossbar shortly after the break. The Gunners held on to their advantage, fending off seven minutes of stoppage time before they could finally celebrate. Slegers' side eliminated the winners of the last nine combined Champions Leagues en route to this final, seeing off eight-time winners Lyon and now Barcelona, who have lifted the trophy in three of the last four seasons. Etched in history 🏆 — Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 24, 2025 The Gunners completed an impressive comeback over Lyon in the semi-finals after losing the first leg 2-1 at home, then beating the eight-time Champions League winners – and last season's runners-up – 4-1 in France to advance 5-3 on aggregate. Slegers added: 'I think Arsenal have always been leading the way since the start, and they have been working so hard as a club. But definitely you see things, this season, I think, in the team, and that's signs of a winning team. 'You struggle together, you suffer together, you find ways to win, and I think in the critical moments, in high-pressure moments, we've done that this season.'
