Latest news with #EuropeanChampion
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Hinderwell's Beth Mead always had a football under her arm'
The North Yorkshire village where Beth Mead grew up erupted in celebrations on Sunday night after the Lioness became a two-time European champion. The professional footballer, from Hinderwell near Whitby, claimed victory at the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Final in Basel, alongside her England teammates. Despite initial nerves during a nail-biting penalty shootout - in which Mead had to re-take her spot kick and it was saved by Spain's goalkeeper - residents said they were "proud as punch" of her. Her childhood coach, Philip Nedley, said the village was decked in flags ahead of the match, with local bars full to the brim of enthusiastic supporters. "I'm still sort of on a high, I'm trying to get down," he said. "She hasn't always been one of the starting players but she's come on and made a difference each time. "She brings a bit of experience now and a bit of aggression." Mr Nedley first coached Mead on the Hinderwell village team when she was just six years old and playing alongside the boys."I remember the size of her, she was knee-high to a grasshopper, she was so small," he said. "We were saying 'she's going to get hurt here because the boys might knock her about a bit' but she gave as good as she got. "She was so determined, it was such a breath of fresh air when she arrived."During the final, Mead took England's first penalty after extra time but due to a double touch, she had to retake it. Her second attempt was saved by Spanish goalkeeper Cata Coll. "She looked so relieved when the penalty went in and I felt so sorry for her when she had to retake it," Mr Nedley said."That pressure must have been immense." Landlord of The Brown Cow Pub in Hinderwell, Mark Yeoman, said he had "no fingernails left" after the final, which people gathered in his bar to watch. "I put an extra telly in the lounge area and I had an absolutely cracking turnout, a really good pub full," he said. "Obviously, we were cheering our heads off and I got everybody in the pub a shot."Mr Yeoman has known Mead since she was a toddler and his son went to Oakridge School with her."Even back then she always had an England strip on and a football under her arm," he said."She would absolutely run rings around all the other kids."I am so proud of her, absolutely proud as punch of her, she's inspiring another generation now." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
England hero Lucy Bronze reveals she played entire Euro 2025 with fractured tibia
England defender Lucy Bronze revealed she played through the entirety of Euro 2025 with a fractured tibia after becoming a two-time European champion with the Lionesses. Bronze, 33, is the oldest member of England's squad and started all six games during the tournament, including their dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Spain in the final. Bronze also defied injury to play a key part in England's quarter-final comeback over Sweden. The right back was eventually forced off with a knee injury during extra time of the final and could not walk on the pitch during England's celebrations in Basel, requiring a piggyback from goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse when the Lionesses ran towards their fans. 'I've played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia but nobody knew and I've hurt my knee today,' Bronze told the BBC moments after the final whistle. 'Which is why the girls gave me a lot of love after the Sweden game. 'It's very painful but I'm going to party. We never lost belief in ourselves. There was a lot of noise on the outside but we stuck together. To go to extra time back to back to back is incredible. We give each other energy and what we've done today is incredible.' England's players have praised Bronze's grit and determination throughout Euro 2025, with manager Wiegman saying the defender was 'one of a kind' following the quarter-final win over Sweden. 'Her mentality, the whole team has an incredible mentality, but she has a crazy mentality, it's unbelievable,' Wiegman said. England defeated world champions Spain to avenge their World Cup final defeat to the same opposition in 2023, a result that makes the Lionesses the first England team to win a major tournament on foreign soil. 'I don't think we were thinking too much about the World Cup (final defeat),' Bronze said. ' It always goes that they win, then we win, then they win so it was our turn today. 'To win on penalties is an amazing feeling but to lose on penalties is the worst feeling. They're great players, they've achieved a lot. It wasn't meant for them today, it was meant for England. We've shown resilience and fight.'
The Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
England hero Lucy Bronze reveals she played entire Euro 2025 with fractured tibia
England defender Lucy Bronze revealed she played through the entirety of Euro 2025 with a fractured tibia after becoming a two-time European champion with the Lionesses. Bronze, 33, is the oldest member of England's squad and started all six games during the tournament, including their dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Spain in the final. Bronze also defied injury to play a key part in England's quarter-final comeback over Sweden. The right back was eventually forced off with a knee injury during extra time of the final and could not walk on the pitch during England's celebrations in Basel, requiring a piggyback from goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse when the Lionesses ran towards their fans. 'I've played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia but nobody knew and I've hurt my knee today,' Bronze told the BBC moments after the final whistle. 'Which is why the girls gave me a lot of love after the Sweden game. 'It's very painful but I'm going to party. We never lost belief in ourselves. There was a lot of noise on the outside but we stuck together. To go to extra time back to back to back is incredible. We give each other energy and what we've done today is incredible.' England's players have praised Bronze's grit and determination throughout Euro 2025, with manager Sarina Wiegman saying the defender was 'one of a kind' following the quarter-final win over Sweden. England defeated world champions Spain to avenge their World Cup final defeat to the same opposition in 2023, a result that makes the Lionesses the first England team to win a major tournament on foreign soil. 'I don't think we were thinking too much about the World Cup (final defeat),' Bronze said. ' It always goes that they win, then we win, then they win so it was our turn today. 'To win on penalties is an amazing feeling but to lose on penalties is the worst feeling. They're great players, they've achieved a lot. It wasn't meant for them today, it was meant for England. We've shown resilience and fight.'
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Llewellin takes skeet title at European Championships
Britain's Ben Llewellin became the men's skeet European champion after claiming gold at the competition in Chateauroux, Welshman held off the challenge of Tammaro Cassandro to beat the Italian, with Ireland's Jack Fairclough finishing also claimed bronze in the skeet men's team event alongside Mitchell Brooker-Smith and Arran the women's skeet, Amber Rutter took silver for Britain behind winner Lucie Anastassiou of France.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
The lowdown on UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Day 19
This is it. We've reached the end of a fascinating EURO 2025 with England and Spain facing off later tonight to see who will be crowned European champion. Can the Lionesses retain their title or will Spain add a continental triumph to their World Cup of 2023? Let's find out. Who is playing today? 👀Sarina Wiegman's England are through to their third-successive tournament final, as they take on Spain in a repeat of the World Cup final in Australia two years ago. That night in Sydney it was La Roja who triumphed as a first half goal from Olga Carmona saw Spain become champions. Their moment of ecstasy in Australia quickly turned sour however, with the Luis Rubiales scandal overshadowing their brilliant display. Hopefully this evening we can focus purely on the football, with probably the two best sides in Europe going head-to-head. England haven't been at their absolute best in Switzerland but have found a way to win in games against Sweden and Italy. Spain meanwhile have steamrollered almost everyone and will be clear favourites in Basel. Player to watch 🔍 There is world class talent everywhere you look in both these squads but it's Alexia Putellas who reigns supreme in the women's game at the moment. The Barcelona forward has endured her fair share of injury hell in recent years but Putellas has been back to her sublime best at this tournament. The 31-year-old has scored three at EURO 2025 so far but has been more than a goalscorer for Spain, playing an integral part in their free-flowing attack from minute one. Key storyline 🔑 Chloe Kelly has been one of the stars of the tournament, almost single-handedly dragging England into the final with her stunning delivery from wide and her fearlessness in attack. And yet, the Arsenal winger has yet to start a game for Wiegman's side, being used as a second half 'finisher' to up England's tempo and fly past shattered full-backs. With Lauren James picking up a small injury in the semi-final win over Italy however, could this finally be the chance for Kelly to star from the first whistle? Wiegman has a huge decision to make - one that could well gold-plate her already stellar legacy in England. Must-watch video 🎥 Alexia Putellas on exactly how she can help this Spain side in tonight's final ... Fun facts This is England's third-successive tournament final and Sarina Wiegman's fifth as head coach (Netherlands two, England three). Alexia Putellas is currently the tournament second-top scorer with three and the leading assist-maker with four. Should England win they will become only the second nation after Germany to successfully defend the Women's EUROs. Our prediction 🔮 England 0-2 Spain 📸 MIGUEL MEDINA - AFP or licensors
