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The Guardian
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Arsenal, a packed Estádio José Alvalade and the reason I fell in love with football
I can't type the words. Sophie Downey's stopwatch, started the moment the clock hit 90 minutes, is running on the desk next to me, but my fingers won't move. I refuse to write a variation of 'Arsenal are European champions' with time still on the clock because the thought of having to press that backspace key and delete it is too much. The editors will have to wait; I'll start writing the intro paragraph when there's one minute 30 seconds of the seven minutes of stoppage time to go, but gingerly, agonisingly – even that feels too soon. I believe, I really do, but what if? And then I'm too busy sobbing into my hands to finish or press send. The narratives, there are so many narratives: Renée Slegers, the former academy player head coach with the retro Arsenal ring on her little finger who was made permanent manager only four months ago; Leah Williamson's journey from being a mascot at a European Cup final to playing in one; Chloe Kelly's salvaged season; Beth Mead's emotional turmoil; Mariona Caldentey making it three in a row after winning the past two with the now vanquished Barcelona; Kim Alison Little. Where to start? Where to end? My first report, sent not quite on the whistle, is rushed but I don't really care. What does this mean? Everything. Williamson has said she now felt ashamed for having previously put 'trophy for England over trophy for Arsenal', because the feeling last Saturday was 'the happiest I've ever been in my whole entire life'. The lifelong supporter of the club said she hoped 'that other Arsenal fans are happy too'. Understatement of the century, Leah, understatement of the century. The England captain had said she had been reflecting on her journey and reconnecting with those who helped her get to where she is today after the trophy lift outside the Emirates Stadium on Monday morning, and that chimed. Her journey from fan and academy player to Champions League winner is something few can relate to, but her undying love for Arsenal is more understood and she is not the only one who will have been reflecting on their relationship with the north London club this weekend. Remembering adds to the emotion of the occasion and triggers it. My own journey started when a smile was actually wind, my arms and legs manoeuvred into a little flannel babygrow that had the badge on the front and 'Arsenal babe' across the back. The earliest memories I have come in flashes across a weekend in Lisbon; then kicking a green translucent plastic ball with white flecks against the wall while I watched Arsenal Ladies play opposite my council estate in Shoreditch Park; finding out the score of the 1998 men's FA Cup final via a smuggled radio on a school trip; buzzing as I headed to a two-week Arsenal Foundation course on designing a magazine on QuarkXPress in the school holidays; winning a McDonald's competition to kick penalties on the pitch at Highbury on the final day of a season; staying the night at the home of a family member who lived a stone's throw from Islington town hall so I could get as close to the Invincibles trophy parade as possible; going to football sessions at school only to find them being led by Faye White and Rachel Yankey; the 'Arsenal win the World Cup' Mirror front page Blu-Tacked to my wall after France's 1998 men's team's triumph. Could I fill this piece with the memories? Yes, probably five times over. Plenty of journalists choose to keep their personal allegiances private and having decided not to do that I can very much understand why (thanks, social media), but why should I hide or reject my fandom when my love of Arsenal is why I stumbled into this industry, having not ever considered it as something I could do, in the same way aspiring to be a professional footballer was a pipe dream for so many girls my age? My fandom and my journalism are very separate things to me; if anything, I'm most critical of the club I adore because I want to see it do things right. As a journalist, you build bonds and relationships with players and staff across clubs and national teams. I struggle to think of a time I've interviewed a player and not come away wanting everything good to happen to them, for them to have their drive, work and passion rewarded. There isn't a Women's Super League team I dislike, not even Tottenham, because, while I'll never fully understand what it takes to be a professional footballer, I've been given an insight into that world; the highs, the lows, the injuries, the emotional and mental tolls, the hidden battles, the fight for professional standards and respect and more. But there will always be one team I love, love with a passion fuelled by those memories that flitter in and out. That is why there has been a lot of personal emotion this week. Hell, I'm crying periodically while I write. Arsenal gave me a way to experience collective joy and pain, to share a deep emotional bond with my dad, to feel connected to my community and a career. The feeling of watching a women's team that played for a short while in the park opposite Clinger Court on Hobbs Place Estate go on to lift the Champions League, in the modern era, in a packed Estádio José Alvalade, and be celebrated by more than 10,000 fans within 48 hours, after pioneering the game for so long, is indescribable – though I've tried. So, forgive the slipping of the journalistic cap in the aftermath, the blurring of the lines as the fan in me seeps out a bit, because if I didn't feel all this, I wouldn't be doing this job.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Sarina Wiegman 'sad and disappointed' by Mary Earps England retirement
Lioness boss reflects on 'very hard decision' taken by the former England No1 and says she would still like Earps to be in her team HARD DECISION Sarina Wiegman 'sad and disappointed' by Mary Earps England retirement while Leah Williamson says keeper will be missed Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SARINA WIEGMAN admitted to being 'disappointed and sad' by Mary Earps calling time on her England career. And Leah Williamson revealed she was devastated, describing the former Lioness's retirement as a huge loss for the team. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 England skipper Leah Williamson and head coach Sarina Wiegman expressed their sadness concerning Mary Earps' international retirement Credit: PA 4 Wiegman is disappointed that Earps had called time on her England career and says she still wished the former Lionesses goalkeeper was part of her team Credit: Reuters 4 Williamson, who together with Earps helped England win the 2022 Euros, described the goalkeeper as her "best friend in football" Credit: Alamy Yesterday Wiegman and her captain publicly shared their thoughts in their first press conference in the wake of Earps' bombshell announcement. Four days ago (May 26) the FA stated the Euros-winning shot stopper was ending her England run And the Paris Saint-Germain ace, 32, also shared her international career update via her Instagram account. Earps standing down from international duty five weeks before this year's Euros, means the tournament's reigning champions will defend their title without their most experienced goalkeeper. Lionesses boss Wiegman, who still wants Earps as part of her squad, said: "I'm really disappointed and sad that she's not part of the team because I want her in my team. "That (retirement decision) must have been a really hard decision for her and so it is for us. "There have been a couple of conversations which I don't want to share publicly because that's between us and it's hard for her at the same time." Earps, who has 53 senior international caps, started in all six games during England's run to becoming European Champions three years ago. In Australia in 2023, she played a significant role in England reaching the Women's World Cup final for the first time in their history, Her performance in all seven games would see her win the tournament's Golden Glove before later being voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year. During the contest's final Earps produced a dramatic penalty save against Spain keeping out Jenni Hermoso's spot-kick before her team fell to a 1-0 loss. However since last October the former Man United player has faced a battle to start with Chelsea's Hannah Hampton. The Blues stopper started in five of England's last eight international games. Williamson, 26, who skippered the team during the 2022 Euros, said: "I'm devastated (by her England retirement) because I love her and love being her teammate. "Mary is one of my closest friends in football. "We have an extra pair of shoes to fill and also in a number of different areas. "I'm sure the team will be ready for all those eventualities." Earlier this week The Athletic reported that Sarina Wiegman had told Earps that she would not be her No1 keeper for this year's Euros. And The Guardian reports Earps, had in April, informed the England boss that she was thinking of retiring. However Wiegman remained tight-lipped on the exact details of her conversation with Earps. The Lioness chief said: "I am in conversations with players all the time. "I don't give any information about these private conversations we have. "Hannah Hampton is now the number one. "Before that she was a little bit ahead but at moments you can't look too far forward because you don't know what things will happen. "Things in football can change very quickly." England, who face Portugal at Wembley tomorrow and Spain away in the Nations League next Tuesday, have been hit by fitness issues. Aside from Ella Morris, 22, rupturing a knee ligament, Alessia Russo, 26, and Ella Toone, 25, will both miss tomorrow's 7:45pm clash due to calf concerns. And vice-captain Millie Bright, 31, withdrew from England's camp earlier this week with Arsenal's Lotte Wubben-Moy called up in her absence. On the Daly Brightness podcast she hosts with ex-Lioness team-mate Rachel Daly, the 88-capped centre-back explained she was at her limit "physically and mentally". This term the Chelsea skipper led the Blues on a treble-winning trophy charge, lifting the FA and Women's League Cups and claiming an eighth WSL title. Of her withdrawal from this month's England camp Bright said: "That is a really hard decision. "But I think you know better than anyone as well - sometimes you just have to take that time for yourself. "You need to value yourself and your mental health and body, and just say that no, right now is not the time for you." 4 England will face Portugal and Spain in the Nations League without the services of Millie Bright with the Lioness vice-keeper withdrawing from their May camp Credit: Getty Bright's England team-mate Williamson added: "That decision for Millie herself to say, 'I need to take a break' and to speak out about mental health is a brave thing to do. "She's leading by example and I've personally given Millie a bit of space. "Naturally any support that she needs and anything that she needs from the team, we'll be there to give it to her."
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Celebrate Arsenal and Chelsea wins with Women's Football News
The June 2025 Edition of Women's Football News is available now as we bring you features and interviews from around the women's game. The June 2025 edition of Women's Football News is now available as we bring you all for the latest news and reaction from the Women's game. It will of course look back on a night to remember for Arsenal as they were crowned European Champions. The Gunners stunned Barcelona to win the Champions League final in Lisbon. We have reaction from captain Kim Little, boss Renee Slegers as well as Lionesses stars Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo on Arsenal's victory. There is also a poster to keep to remember the achievement. Across London, Chelsea are also celebrating having completed an unbeaten domestic treble by lifting the WSL title, the FA Cup and the League Cup. We take a look back their remarkable season with a big interview with Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, while there is also reaction from Millie Bright and manager Sonia Bompastor - who lays down a challenge to the rest of the WSL. And the top flight will have another club from the capital next season following the promotion of the ambitious London City Lionesses. Owner Michele Kang tells us that 'anything is possible' for the club in the coming years. We name our WSL team of the season and - along with our regular features including round-ups of the top-flight and Championship seasons, all the latest news around women's football, National League specials and our grassroots spotlight - we have an exclusive interview with Scotland international Claire Emslie on her life in LA playing for Angel City. And to round it all off, we preview the Lionesses' Nations League games as we count down to this summer's European Championship in Switzerland.
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
URC crunch time: Bulls, Sharks and Stormers in good form ahead of quarter-finals
All three South African teams should be confident of winning their matches and advancing to the last four. It's now crunch time for the Bulls, Sharks and Stormers as the United Rugby Championship reaches the playoff stage this week. Everything that has gone before in the 2024/25 season will be forgotten as the three South African teams in the top eight vie for a place in the semi-finals and then the final. This weekend, the Bulls, who finished second on the points table after the round robin stage, take on Edinburgh at Loftus at 1.30pm on Saturday, while at 6.30pm the Sharks, who finished third overall, host Munster in Durban. The Stormers though are first-up on Friday, at 8.35pm, when they clash with the defending champions, Glasgow Warriors, in Scotland. John Dobson's team, who were inaugural winners of the URC three seasons ago, finished fifth after their 18 games in the league phase. The other quarter-final is between Leinster and Scarlets at 4pm on Saturday, in Dublin. All eight teams go into their matches this weekend having had this last weekend off, for the European Champions and Challenge Cup finals to be played, so they will be fresh and rejuvenated after a long URC campaign. Winning run The three South Africans teams will all be confident ahead of their clashes. The Bulls have not lost in their last six matches in the URC, so Jake White and his charges will be full of confidence. They have beaten Dragons and Cardiff at home, Glasgow and Munster away and Zebre and Leinster at home. Their last defeat was back on March 1, against the Stormers (19-16). In their round robin match against Edinburgh this season the Bulls won 22-16 in what was their first match of their URC season, in late September at Loftus. The Sharks, too, will be confident against Munster, winners of the title two seasons ago. John Plumtree's men have beaten Scarlets and Ospreys at home, and Ulster and Edinburgh away. They also narrowly lost against Leinster (7-10). The Stormers have also had a good time recently, beating Cardiff, the Dragons, Benetton and Connacht at home to get them into the top five. Taking on Glasgow away will, however, be tough for the Cape side, though Franco Smith's defending champions go into the match having lost their last three games – against Leinster, Benetton and the Bulls.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Arsenal grab Women's Champions League final glory against Barcelona
Euphoria. Complete and utter euphoria. Stina Blackstenius's second-half goal stunned the three-time European champions Barcelona to deliver Arsenal's second European title. On the final whistle it was red and white pandemonium as stunned Gunners seemed to not know what to do with themselves. Arsenal got as close as they could to bottling history and feeding it to the players in the buildup: there was a lunch with the 2007 European champions, notes from fans, staff and the community were pinned to a wall for them to peruse before their flight, and emotion-packed videos of who they are, where they have been and the shoulders they stand on set the tone. Advertisement Yet at the Estádio José Alvalade, expectations of a result were low, a glimmer of hope delivered by the gutsy second-leg comebacks against Real Madrid and Lyon, in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively, and the sublime way they have played at times this season. A sense of fun and joy was born from the wider mood around the fixture and that spirit was evident on the pitch too. There was a fearlessness about Arsenal: instead of resorting to a double pivot against the holders, Renée Slegers stuck with a formula that had worked for them in the second leg of their semi-final against Lyon and Manchester United on the final day of the Women's Super League season. Arsenal were not in Lisbon to sit back, they were there to take the game to the Catalan giants and their pressing play and organisation in the opening half was superb. Related: Arsenal v Barcelona: Women's Champions League final – live The battling play and freedom with which they played it clearly frustrated the champions and Slegers' side had the better chances of the half: Caitlin Foord's header wide of the far post, Chloe Kelly's volley over the bar, a disallowed own goal with Kelly offside in the build up and Cata Coll's save from Frida Maanum, all close but not close enough. Advertisement Reaching the break with the game goalless was an achievement against a Barcelona side playing their 100th Champions League game, their first coincidentally against Arsenal in the 2012-13 last 32. The Blaugrana stepped up a gear in the second half but Arsenal's defence, which shipped 12 goals in their final three games of the WSL season, stood firm. They needed one chance, one escape into the Barça half, and it came in the 74th minute. A rare Arsenal corner was cleared but worked back in to the former Barça player Mariona Caldentey, who paused before finding Beth Mead hovering on the edge of the box. The England forward played in her fellow substitute Blackstenius and the Swede fired low past Coll. Barcelona were sure it was offside, but it wasn't, the crowd jeered, the pocket of Arsenal fans roared, and the team that is king of the dark arts, of slowing a game, stifling play and disrupting momentum started to be given a taste of their own medicine. The Barcelona fans had been the loudest throughout, but it was the corner of 5,000 plus Arsenal fans that rocked the stadium at the close.
