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Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
How no-nonsense Lucy Bronze, who played the entire Euros with a fractured tibia, left fans swooning over THAT leg-taping clip
Footballers have long been known to be the heartthrobs of the sports scene - with famous celebrity crushes including Beckham, Messi and Ronaldo - but now a new, fierce contender has emerged following the Lionesses' historic feat at the Euros last night. As England defeated Spain 3-1 nail-biting penalties on Sunday, fans couldn't believe the shocking post match interview in which right-back star Lucy Bronze revealed that she had been playing the whole tournament with a fractured tibia. It's not the first time during this year's UEFA run that the 33-year-old had viewers obsessed. She also became the subject of many a viral TikTok after tending to her own hamstring injury after seeing that paramedics were preoccupied tending to other players. As the squad faced-off Sweden earlier this month, audiences went wild at the moment, dubbing it 'the most Lucy Bronze thing they've ever seen'. 'She kills me,' one penned, while another agreed, writing: 'Casually strapping up her own hamstring like it's whatever.' A third wrote: 'It's the first time I've seen a bandage look cool.' Elsewhere, one commented: 'Strapped herself up, then took a must score penalty and smashed it home. Bada** moment.' On social media, people also shared clips, joking about being mesmerised by the viral moment. 'Girls are like "I needed this" and it's literally just watching clips of Lucy Bronze strapping her own leg on repeat,' @beccasianh shared. In another, couple account @mim_elss posted a clip saying: 'When I go to see my girlfriend but she's watching edits of Lucy Bronze "self taping".' In another, @baronessbt quipped that her girlfriend 'hasn't been the same since Lucy Bronze self-strap'. As if this wasn't impressive enough, on Sunday Lucy revealed she had been smiling through pain for the entirety of the Euros -with an injury she had kept secret until after the final. She was taken off at half-time in extra time during Sunday's final, but when asked about the new knee injury she picked up during the game, the athlete casually disclosed that she had already been playing through far worse. 'I have actually played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia,' she told BBC Sport. 'And then I have hurt my knee on my other leg. 'That's why I got a lot of praise from the girls after the Sweden game, as I've been in a lot of pain. If that's what it takes to play for England, that's what I'll do. Very painful.' As England defeated Spain 3-1 nail-biting penalties on Sunday, fans couldn't believe the shocking post match interview in which right-back star Lucy Bronze (pictured) revealed that she had been playing the whole tournament with a fractured tibia The pro is known to have an impressive set of skills, speaking English, Portuguese, Spanish and French. Speaking to She's a Baller , goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was reflecting at the viral moment Lucy was 'doing her own physio' at the England versus Sweden game It sparked an outpouring of disbelief and admiration across social media, with supporters calling the player a 'beast'. 'She really said pain is temporary but trophies are forever,' one wrote. 'Built different doesn't even cover it at this point.' It's not just Lucy's tough-as-steel athletics that has people obsessed, however. She has also wowed her fellow teammates and fans alike with her languages knowledge. The pro is known to have an impressive set of skills, speaking English, Portuguese, Spanish and French. Speaking to She's a Baller, goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was reflecting at the viral moment Lucy was 'doing her own physio' at the England versus Sweden game. 'But the ref was Spanish,' she revealed. 'And the ref was asking her, "so what are you a physio now?". 'And Bronzie's there replying in Spanish "yeah I do everything"'. And elsewhere, her close bond with Sunday's match rival - but dear close friend Ona Batlle - had people swooning. 'Girls are like "I needed this" and it's literally just watching clips of Lucy Bronze strapping her own leg on repeat,' @beccasianh shared Footballers have long been known to be the heartthrobs of the sports scene - with famous celebrity crushes including Beckham, Messi and Ronaldo - but now a new, fierce contender has emerged following the Lionesses' historic feat at the Euros last night In one emotional moment Lucy consoled her close friend Ona Batlle, 26, after England came from behind to beat Spain and retain their Women's Euros crown. Lucy started every game of the tournament but was forced off in extra-time before the Lionesses went on to win 3-1 in a nerve-shredding penalty shootout. At 33 years, eight months and 30 days, Lucy was her side's oldest player at the tournament and she was again front and centre of a record-setting triumph. Chloe Kelly proved herself the hero for her country again by slotting home the winning spot-kick after Mariona Caldentey and Aitana Bonmati saw their efforts saved by goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, while Salma Paralluelo skewed off target. Jubilant celebrations saw Chloe's team-mates flood onto the pitch to begin the party, but Bronze took a moment to escape the hubbub and made a beeline for Ona. Inseparable on and off the pitch, the two friends high-fived before sitting down on the pitch, seemingly discussing the pulsating showdown that had played out in Basel. Once the madness had died down, Lucy, kitted out with her gold winner's medal around her neck, took a stroll with Ona, who had changed into her tracksuit. The roles were reversed back in 2023 after Spain got the better of England in the World Cup final, when Ona consoled a tearful Lucy after full-time. Jubilant celebrations saw Chloe's team-mates flood onto the pitch to begin the party, but Bronze took a moment to escape the hubbub and made a beeline for Ona The duo were all-conquering team-mates in the 2023-24 season when they were at Barcelona, and they struck up a blossoming friendship, too. They also won the Champions League, Liga F, the Spanish Cup and Spanish Super Cup together. Lucy then completed a move back to England with Chelsea last summer. Lucy and Ona enjoyed a holiday together ahead of Euro 2025 in Switzerland, sharing photos of the trip across their social media profiles. It appeared the duo were celebrating Ona's birthday, with the Spaniard's caption on Instagram reading: 'Bday week.' One photo shared online showed them enjoying an ice cream in the sun, while another saw them relaxing on a lilo together in the sea. Lucy and Ona also took a boat trip on their vacation and spent time together in a private pool. Their holiday this summer was by no means their first. Last Christmas, Ona posted snaps of the two at Disneyland Paris, with the caption: 'What a magical place'. Lucy tends to keep her personal life very private. Hailing from Berwick-upon-Tweed in Northumberland, she was brought up bilingual thanks to her Portuguese father and was exposed to football from a very early age by her older brother, Jorge. Head coach Sarina Wiegman paid tribute to Bronze, saying: 'Her mentality, the whole team has an incredible mentality, but she has a crazy mentality, it's unbelievable.'
Daily Mail
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The footballers who cracked on with Love Island stars after the show: Dani Dyer found her perfect match at West Ham, Olivia Attwood tied the knot with Bradley Dack - and the Islander who was linked to Ruben Dias BEFORE he dated Maya Jama
Footballers are often blasted for a lack of loyalty in the modern game and if this year's series of Love Island is anything to go by, the critique is fully justified. Two footballers have tried to play a different kind of field, entering the Villa - and later Casa Amor - in search of love, but appear to have had difficulty tying themselves down to just one partner. Harry Cooksley, once of AFC Wimbledon and Mallorca, seems to struggle with loyalty on and off the pitch. The 30-year-old, who currently turns out for semi-professional side Farnham Town, has played for eleven teams, and not spent more than one year at any of the sides, since his nine-year stint at Reading in his youth. The midfielder has sent mixed messages after becoming increasingly close with both Shakira Khan and Helena Ford. He has turned heads with his eyebrow-raising comments throughout the series, even claiming to have slept with an entire women's football team. Meanwhile, Harrison Solomon, a former Derby star, left Love Island viewers in disbelief after getting frisky with Lauren Wood under the covers earlier this week, having also flirted with Toni Laites. The 22-year-old made 29 Premier League 2 appearances having joined Derby's academy in 2019 and even featured in the FA Cup third round in 2021. He has since moved to University of New Hampshire in the US as a student and plays for their football team. And on Friday he shocked viewers by announcing a surprise early departure from the ITV2 show. But while the current pair of flirty footballers may be accustomed to abuse from the terraces and from Love Island viewers and contestants alike, not all footballers have felt the ire of the show's viewers. In fact a number of stars have gone on to date, marry and even have kids with their Love Island counterparts. Dani Dyer and Jarrod Bowen Dani Dyer won the 2018 edition of Love Island with then partner Jack Fincham and they later moved in together and even bought a puppy. But their fling lasted just six months, with Dyer admitting their relationship was 'not meant to be long term'. Dyer and Bowen, both 28, were next-door neighbours and fancied each other but she never believed the England and West Ham forward would be interested in a serious long-term relationship. When they met, Dani had recently given birth to her son Santiago - although she was no longer with his dad Sammy Kimmence. Dani started inviting Jarrod round for dinners at her home and a romance slowly started to blossom. But a relationship was not always certain. 'When he first messaged me I thought "he's very fit, I don't mind having a little bit of fun with you, but I'm a mum now, you're a footballer, you can go have your Gigi Hadids. I'm happy to have a bit of fun with if that's what you want, you're the first guy I've probably had with a six-pack"' Dyer revealed. 'I think because I was so chilled it became something more.' Her father Danny, Eastenders actor and diehard West Ham fan has always been delighted with their pairing, even joking that he is 'more in love with Jarrod than Dani is'. The couple had twins Summer and Star in 2023 and tied the knot at a lavish outdoor ceremony at the £500-a-night Langley Hotel in Iver, Buckinghamshire in May. Maya Jama and Ruben Dias Power couple Maya Jama and Ruben Dias appear to have gone from strength to strength this year with the Manchester City defender jetting out to Spain to support Jama while she filmed the popular ITV show. They have been dating for several months and their romance began a year after Jama and Stormzy announced they were splitting for good, having previously rekindled their relationship after breaking up in 2019. The duo are believed to have met at the European Music Awards (EMAs) in November. Their romance began a year after Jama and Stormzy announced they were splitting for good Their romance was finally confirmed after they were seen getting very close at KSI's Baller League event in April. The TV star then went official by posting a clip on Instagram as she sat alongside the footballer in a car heading back to her house. She then attended a number of City and Portugal games in the second half of last season. On Thursday the loved-up couple shared a steamy kiss as they relaxed at the Cala Bassa Beach Club during their romantic getaway to Ibiza. That holiday came just days after they enjoyed a visit to Florida. And while they appear enamoured with one another, Jama, who appears on the show as a presenter rather than a contestant, was not the first Love Island star to catch Dias' eye. He was believed to be dating model Arabella Chi, who appeared on season five on the series, in 2023, before the defender reportedly dumped her after a few months. Olivia Attwood and Bradley Dack Former Blackburn and Sunderland star Bradley Dack married Olivia Attwood in 2023, having got engaged four years earlier. They originally met in a nightclub in the West End in 2015 after being introduced through mutual friends. The duo dated on and off for three months before it fizzled out, with Attwood deciding to go on Love Island. The Loose Women panellist appeared in the third series, finishing third with partner Chris Hughes, and later took part in I'm A Celebrity in 2022. The couple met in a nightclub in the West End in 2015 after being introduced through friends She broke up with Hughes in February 2018, less than a year after they reached the final of Love Island, and it wasn't long before the star was back with Dack, reuniting months later. Attwood, 34, has revealed she doesn't think she and Dack would be together now if she hadn't gone on Love Island. 'If I hadn't gone on Love Island, I don't think we would be together. We had to pull away for us to both get perspective,' she said. 'Brad is the first male, dating relationship I've had where he has his own thing, his own job, his own goals and I have mine and he wants me to have them.' The couple tied the knot in a lavish ceremony at the five-star hotel Bulgari in Knightsbridge in June 2023. Georgia Steel and Harry Clarke Georgia Steel has tried to find love on the show twice - first in 2018 before taking part in Love Island: All-Stars last year. Georgia went out with Hashtag United footballer Toby Aromolaran following the spin-off series but they split in March. But she appears to have struck gold with Ipswich and former Arsenal and Sheffield United defender Harry Clarke. She has largely kept their blossoming romance under wraps since they got together last year. They have largely kept their blossoming romance under wraps since they got together last year Georgia went out with Hashtag United footballer Toby Aromolaran following the spin-off series The 26-year-old was first spotted getting flirty with the Premier League star last September at a David Lloyd gym in London. The couple were then unable to keep their hands off each other as they shared a kiss while on holiday in Dubai. More recently Steel shared some loved up snaps with her partner as they celebrated his birthday. Ella Thomas and Lloyd Jones Lloyd Jones and Ella Thomas went official with their relationship in May. The Charlton Athletic captain and player of the season went public after sharing a selection of photos from The Addicks' final game of the campaign, alongside Thomas. The 25-year-old appeared in series 10 of Love Island in 2023 and got together with Tyrique Hyde. Their relationship was heavily tested with some dramatic ups and downs throughout the series but they left the villa together. Jones went public by sharing a series of photos of his final game of the season with Thomas But the couple announced they had split in November 2023, before trying to give it another go. In February 2024, MailOnline exclusively revealed Ella and Tyrique had parted ways permanently - after six months as a couple. Amber Gill and Jen Beattie Amber Gill won Love Island in 2019 alongside ex Greg O'Shea but they split just weeks after leaving the villa. She then got together with former Arsenal and Scotland player Jen Beattie, with the couple first linked in December 2022. Five months later, the TV star professed her love for Beattie on Instagram, telling her Instagram followers that she had always been 'free-spirited' and not to use 'labels'. In December 2023 they ended their romance after growing apart but remained friends. The relationship was the reality star's first public dating experience since she opened up about her sexuality, saying that it was 'painfully obvious' she 'liked girls' during her appearance on the ITV2 show. Grace Jackson is said to have gone on multiple dates with Marcus Rashford around Cheshire Grace Jackson and Marcus Rashford Manchester United star Marcus Rashford is heading towards the Old Trafford exit door after being axed by Ruben Amorim. But it is not the first time that the England forward has been dumped. In December, the 27-year-old was reportedly broken up with by 2024 contestant Grace Jackson. The model also appeared in the All Stars edition where she was coupled with Joey Essex.
Daily Mail
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Matildas star Katrina Gorry and her wife-to-be take on a new sporting challenge just days before their wedding
Matildas superstar Katrina Gorry and Clara Markstedt are set to get married in just 10 days' time and ahead of their big day, the footballers have both taken up a new sporting challenge. The couple swapped their footy boots out for their running trainers to complete the Brisbane Half Marathon last Sunday. Gorry, 32, lifted the lid on what it was like to compete in the event with her partner, Markstedt, 35, admitting she hadn't participated in many running events previously. 'My experience was absolutely incredible,' the Australian star said to Brisbane Half Marathon's organisers. 'It's probably up there with one of the coolest things we've done. 'We're both footballers and hadn't done much running training beforehand, but running alongside so many people was honestly exhilarating. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brisbane Marathon Festival (@brisbanemarathon) 'The atmosphere was amazing, and crossing the finish line together was such a special moment for us.' The West Ham United star revealed the exciting news in May that she and her Sweedish partner, Markstedt, would be getting wed on June 15. Gorry and Markstedt took to Instagram to share several posts from their hen party last month. The pair looked smitten as they donned colourful wigs and sashes that read: 'Bride to be'. The Australian, who has been capped 114 times by the Matildas, captioned the post: 'The perfect Hux. 20 days until I get to call you my wife.' The pair revealed they got engaged ahead of the 2023 Women's World Cup, with Markstedt dropping to one knee to pop the question. The Sweedish forward enjoyed a glittering career which spanned for 13 years. She began her career with Stockholm-based side AIK, but would spend the majority of her career with Vittsjo GK, ultimately hanging up her boots in 2023. Speaking to ABC Radio Canberra this week, Gorry (pictured, left with Markstedt) spoke about the launch of her new book and hailed her mum for all the sacrifices she had made over the years helping her with her daughter and her footballing career Gorry and Marskstedt announced the birth of their son Koby in 2024, with their daughter Harper becoming a big sister. Earlier this week, Gorry, spoke out on the Matildas victory against Argentina on Monday. 'Super proud of the girls and I think a 4-1 win is always good for us,' she told ABC Radio Canberra. 'For Amy [Sayer] to come on and score two goals after such a long time out of the game is a pretty special night for us to celebrate.' Gorry, who has also released a new book, entitled 'Katrina Gorry: A Matildas Hero's Story of Footbal l, Motherhood and Breaking Down Barriers', paid tribute to her mum during the interview. 'I think writing the book it was a really nice way to reflect on the journey that I have had and also the sacrifices my family have made. 'Definitely my mum. I couldn't have done the last few years without her. To say: "Yes I'll come with you wherever you need to go to help with Harper."
Irish Times
30-05-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Rory Beggan is Monaghan's ace card who stops forwards at one end and puts fear in defenders down the other
The Rory Beggan conundrum continues. This weekend, the contestants trying to solve the puzzle are the Clare footballers. During my Dublin career, when it came to taking on Monaghan , the two players we immediately thought of were Beggan and Conor McManus . While the retirement of McManus has robbed Monaghan of their generational forward, the new rules in Gaelic football have armed their goalkeeper - also a generational talent - with a new set of arrows. I'm talking about two-pointers. Beggan was Monaghan's top scorer in the National Football League , finishing their successful Division Two campaign with 0-38. Within that total there were 17 two-pointers, all bar one of which came from a placed ball. READ MORE He was back at it against Louth last week, kicking a pair of two-pointers from placed balls in a game Monaghan won by six points . We'll return to the merits of two-point frees later, but first it's important to understand the dilemma facing teams in relation to Beggan's attributes within the new rules. The Monaghan No1 is among a crop of elite goalkeepers who changed the role and brought the position to a new level. When we were preparing to play Monaghan, there was a lot of emphasis on him, not just on his kickouts but also how best to deal with him when he comes beyond his natural area and roams further up the field. His foot-passing and general game awareness are of a very high quality. We were also conscious of his ability to kick frees from distance, but the arrival of two-pointers to Gaelic football has been a game changer. It has really empowered Beggan and Monaghan in terms of taking on long-range efforts. In short, it's worth the risk now. In a year their greatest ever forward retired, who would have predicted they would put up such high scoring tallies? That realisation challenges defenders and forces them to make split-second decisions that need to be perfect. Players who might normally tackle hard are being forced to reconsider their level of force against Monaghan. If they commit to a tackle against the Farney men, it better be right on the money. The jeopardy has increased. The risk-reward equation is weighted in favour of Monaghan as they have Beggan to attempt long-distance frees. For defending teams, it means the potential punishment for a foul has been doubled. It's almost too risky to tackle at times. All of this creates doubt among defenders. Anxious not to be the reason Monaghan score a two-pointer, they step off. This leads to the kind of defensive uncertainty forwards thrive on. Monaghan's Conor McCarthy in possession during last weekend's victory against Louth. Photograph: Ciaran Culligan /Inpho If you step off a little bit against Monaghan, you are in danger of enabling strong ball-carriers like Conor McCarthy, Micheál Bannigan and Stephen O'Hanlon to break through the lines and punish you in open play. It's a double-edged sword for defenders. Conceding a long-distance free is potentially momentum swinging in a game against Monaghan because you just know Beggan is going to come up and have a swing at it. There are even more elements to it as well. Monaghan will not only bring Beggan up to try bag the prize of two points, but as he prepares to take that kick, it is an ideal opportunity for his teammates to set up for the subsequent kickout. It used to be very hard, at times, to get set on a kickout. With the new rules, where the kickout has to go beyond the arc, it's a lot easier to get pressed up. Free kicks and set plays are perfect situations to target kick-outs and it is something Monaghan do well. Gabriel Bannigan's men were the highest scoring team across all four divisions of the National League this season. They amassed a combined total of 193 points in their seven group games. Kerry were next on that list, with 170. Monaghan's average from those seven league games was 27.5 points per outing. In a year their greatest ever forward retired, who would have predicted they would put up such high scoring tallies? They have put up decent scores in their two championship games so far this summer as well – 0-21 against Donegal and 1-23 against Louth. Their high-scoring return is largely down to the factors I have highlighted: Beggan having the licence to kick from distance without fear of criticism should they not all sail over, plus Monaghan's ball-carriers having the freedom to take on their man knowing if they don't create a scoring opportunity, there's a good chance they'll draw a foul. And when they do draw a foul, that man Beggan will run up to take it. Rory Beggan takes the ball forward for Monaghan during their Division Two match against Meath in March. Photograph: James Lawlor/Inpho Even if it doesn't yield a score, Monaghan will invariably be in a great position to keep the opposition pinned in and steal the kickout. There were occasions over the years when I questioned Beggan's decision to shoot from certain difficult angles. Purely from a free-taking perspective, his percentages probably weren't fantastic; I'd imagine they were below 50 per cent a lot of the time. But those kicks are worth the risk now because two points are on offer, along with a chance to squeeze the opposition kick-out. The Donegal game in the Ulster championship is the outlier. When Donegal were faced with the Beggan conundrum, they concluded that denying Monaghan frees would be the most effective way of negating their attack. To an extent it worked. That's why I think they shouldn't be worth two points Donegal defenders refused to commit themselves to any borderline tackles within scoreable range – which for Beggan is a considerable distance. Donegal were so disciplined that Beggan wasn't afforded any opportunity of knocking over a placed ball two-pointer. At full-time, all the Monaghan goalkeeper had contributed on the scoreboard was one point, from a 45. Monaghan still ran up a good tally of points in that game, but there were no frees from outside the arc registered. Indeed, only 0-2 of Monaghan's 0-21 total came from frees – Micheál Bannigan kicking over a pair from inside the arc. Donegal's gameplan was built on a logic of taking away the weapon of Beggan's frees. If imposed successfully - and it was - they knew their opponents would be reduced to scoring points from play. You can be sure Peter Keane and his Clare management team have been discussing how to approach the Beggan conundrum this week. It's a key area for any team trying to overcome the Farney County. Monaghan fans will travel to Sunday's match against Clare expecting to see the two-point flag waved. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho As for the two-point rule in general, while I'm not averse to the idea of two-pointers from open play, I think the punishment of conceding two points for what can often be an innocuous foul is very harsh. I don't feel the punishment fits the crime. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't have been coming out with a protest against two-point frees if they were introduced during my Dublin career. But I honestly don't think many of those scores from long-range placed balls justify two points. Free takers are operating at such a high level now that many of those opportunities are well within their range. That's why I think they shouldn't be worth two points. Not that Monaghan are likely to be joining any campaign for change. Their victory over Louth has put them in a strong position in Group Three and if they get over Clare in Clones on Sunday, Gabriel Bannigan's side will be in pole position to top the table. It looks very likely that Rory Beggan will still be posing problems for opponents come All-Ireland quarter-final weekend.
