Latest news with #Euro2025.
BBC News
27-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Wilkinson urges more fans to watch Wales v Denmark
Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson says she is disappointed with ticket sales for the upcoming Nations League visit from played in front of a record crowd in north Wales for their Nations League draw against Sweden last month and she is hoping the fans will show the players their support before a first major tournament appearance this summer at Euro 2025."I don't think we've sold as many tickets for Cardiff as I would like to see," Wilkinson said prior to the visit of Denmark on Friday, 4 April."This is something we can't shy away from, the fact we maybe haven't had the audiences in-person that we would like to get."This is a huge game for us. Come and support your team, let this wonderful group of women see how loved they are." Wilkinson has previously said Wales is "culturally behind" when it comes to supporting the women's she insists she will continue to make that point with Wales men's team regularly selling out Cardiff City Stadium and with over 2,000 fans making the trip to North Macedonia to watch Craig Bellamy's side in World Cup qualifying this week."To anyone who was out in North Macedonia or watching it on television, to the Red Wall, this is a sporting nation, men, women, youth, get behind your team," she told BBC Sport Wales."This is one of the last opportunities to see this team before the Euros. Can you help me in letting them feel supported? Because I know that there is so much support and sometimes we just don't always see that in the numbers coming out to the games, but this is an important game for us, a huge game for us."So I would ask people to come out to support their team and let this wonderful group of women feel as loved as they are."Wilkinson believes people will regret it if they do not get to watch Wales' top goalscorer and record appearance-maker, Jess Fishlock, before it is too late, with the Seattle Reign midfielder now 38-years old."I don't know when she'll retire but she will not play forever," added the Wales boss."If you haven't had the privilege of seeing someone like her play then get out to Cardiff. These are things I think we as Welsh people take for granted. "Those who didn't see Gareth Bale when he was playing regret it. Don't regret this. She is a very special player who is really delivering in every single game she plays in."There are players on this team that are generational players that you will not see for very much longer. This is a history-making team, so connected to their country and wanting to put this team on the world stage and deliver results." Wilkinson says Wales women have a passionate fanbase, but is hoping more fans who regularly attend men's games, will start to come and watch her side."Welsh support and pride for everything we deliver to the world should be celebrated. No one should be lost in [distinctions between] men's, women's, youth or senior football," she said."This is an opportunity to come out and support a Welsh team that is fighting on the international stage to be the best that they can be before attending a major event."The Red Wall is something real to us, they deliver time and time again. So thank you for coming to support a team that I feel deserves the support of their country."
BBC News
24-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Spain stronger after battles on & off pitch
Spain defender Laia Codina says the world champions have become stronger because of their battles both on and off the pitch over the past few most notable of those was the furore and subsequent repercussions caused by former national football federation boss Luis Rubiales kissing Spain player Jenni Hermoso without her was found guilty of sexual assault last week in a case in which Codina testified in support of Hermoso."As a group, for sure, I can feel it - we are all so much stronger. We, all of us, have suffered a lot off the pitch," Codina told BBC Sport."A good example is against Belgium [last week when they came from 2-0 down to win 3-2]. Two years ago, I think we would have lost that game."The assault occurred as Spain's players received their medals after defeating England to win the 2023 Women's World Cup, with Rubiales grabbing Hermoso by the head and kissing her on the lips.A group of 81 players boycotted the team afterwards and Codina, 25, appeared at the trial in Madrid in February to give testimony in support of Hermoso's account of feeling returned to London the same day and was an unused substitute in Arsenal's Women's League Cup semi-final defeat by Manchester City on 6 February."The week that I had to go to Madrid as a witness was a difficult week. It was tough for me obviously personally," added Codina."A lot of my team-mates at Arsenal could see that there were a lot of emotions. I was up and down. There was a feeling of everything again. "But that week is done and I feel good. I feel I did what I had to do in that moment and I'm always supporting Jenni [Hermoso] and my team-mates and the women. "It is something that made me proud, so I'm happy. I don't feel like it affects us right now in the team because we don't speak about it. It is not something we can control, so why should we speak about it." 'They have to see us as football players' Codina says she hopes now the case is over, people will talk about Spanish players' achievements in becoming world champions in 2023, Spain went on to win the Women's Nations League the next year, and they are currently preparing for Euro 2025."I just hope that everything now goes well and we speak about football finally," she said."We speak about this team that has been World Cup winners, Nations League winners. We want to speak about football because it is why we are here. "It is our job and that is something that is going to be better for us and everyone in women's football. I hope that - for Spain in general and for society. "They have to see us as football players - as women's football players - and they have to feel that they are proud of us. Just this."Spain - who face England at Wembley on Wednesday (20:00 GMT) - came from 2-0 down to beat Belgium 3-2 in their Women's Nations League opener on Friday. Wednesday's opponents England have voiced their support for the Spanish players throughout the Rubiales trial. Last Thursday, England defender Lucy Bronze described them as "incredibly brave" for speaking out."I saw some words from Lucy Bronze and [England manager] Sarina Wiegman. I've heard them and it's really nice to be honest. I really want to thank them," said Codina, who is one of the first Spanish players to speak publicly after the verdict, following captain Irene Paredes, who discussed it last week."Feeling that super [kindness] from them, from a big national team like them... England in general, how they work for women's football, is something that we have to look for. "It's nice that we receive those words. I'm really grateful for that."
