Latest news with #Hemp
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Is England vs Portugal on TV? How to watch Lionesses in Nations League match at Wembley
England host Portugal in the Women's Nations League (The FA via Getty Images) England face Portugal at Wembley in the start to the finale to the Women's Nations League campaign. The Lionesses were rocked this week by the news of Mary Earps' shock retirement ahead of this summer's Euro 2025. Advertisement But Sarina Wiegman is urging her players to look forward as they continue their Euro preparations, with just a month to go until the opening game against France in Switzerland. The Lionesses came into the final two games of Nations League Group A3 two points behind leaders Spain in the table. As England face world champions Spain away from home on Tuesday, a win for the Lionesses tonight will keep their hopes of advancing to the semi-finals alive. Is England vs Portugal on TV? It will be shown live on ITV 4, with coverage starting from 7pm. A live stream will be available on ITV X. Kick-off at Wembley is at 19:45pm. Confirmed line-up England XI: Hampton; Bronze, Williamson, Morgan, Carter; Walsh, Clinton; Mead, Park, Hemp; Beever-Jones What is the England team news? To add to the retirement of Mary Earps, England vice-captain Millie Bright has withdrawn from the squad after explaining that she was 'at my limits mentally and physically'. Alessia Russo and Ella Toone have calf injuries but could be back for Tuesday's game against Spain, while Lauren James remains out with a hamstring injury. Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood return to Wiegman's squad after long-term injury lay-offs. Hemp starts, with Aggie Beever-Jones selected up front in place of Russo. Esme Morgan replaces Bright in defence with Jess Carter at left back.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Lionesses star thought 'when am I getting back' during long injury journey
Sarina Wiegman's England side will begin their Euros defence in July and there were times when Lauren Hemp wondered when she'd be able to return after a long lay-off Lionesses star Lauren Hemp has admitted there were times during her long injury lay-off when she wasn't sure when she'd next get to pull on an England shirt. Manchester City winger Hemp underwent surgery on a knee injury in November, keeping her out of her country's first four UEFA Nations League games, but she returned with an assist on Friday in a thumping 6-0 victory over Portugal. Club and international team-mate Alex Greenwood also made a Lionesses comeback on Friday after several months out, and the pair are back at the perfect time with Sarina Wiegman 's team defending their Euros title in Switzerland in July. 'Obviously we've come back on the pitch together for City and we're back now today, back in an England shirt, and it's nice to share these moments with Alex because we've been there with each other through the whole thing,' Hemp said. 'It's been a long journey, and earlier there's been times where I've thought 'when am I actually getting back on the pitch?' after a few setbacks. But no, it's a great feeling to get back in an England shirt and get back to doing what I love doing, and hopefully there's still more to come.' England raced into a 5-0 lead, with Aggie Beever-Jones becoming just the third player to score a hat-trick for the national team at Wembley, and the young Chelsea striker came in for praise from her team-mate. 'Oh yeah, unbelievable,' Hemp added. 'She scores goals like that all the time in training, and every single time she shot it turned to a goal. We're so proud of Aggie, you can see from our celebrations how happy we are for each other when we score, and it's a great person for that to happen to and we're all very proud of her.' England face Spain on Tuesday, knowing a win will see them top their Nations League group, and the squad for the Euros will be announced just two days after that. And, with a Euros group containing France, the Netherlands and Wales, the holders will be up against it from the start. 'Obviously we're going to the Euros to to a job and we're feeling confident, we're feeling ready, and obviously we're taking each game as it comes but we're working hard to be the best we can for the summer,' Hemp said. The fans were incredible again tonight so we're hoping to bring a lot of them to Switzerland, 'The confidence is high. Obviously we've got a lot of respect for Spain and we've had so many great games against them, so we're going to make sure we're ready and rested for that game and we're going to make sure we start that game as we did this one.' Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Player anger as Blackburn likely to withdraw from WSL 2 due to financial reasons
Blackburn's place in the Women's Super League 2 next season is in major doubt after their players were informed on Tuesday morning that the club is highly unlikely to provide the funding to meet the division's new minimum licence requirement. No decision has yet been made by the club for next season but the Blackburn defender Niamh Murphy wrote on X that the players had been warned the club's mind was already '99%' made up. Multiple sources have told the Guardian that the club have been given a deadline to confirm by next week whether or not they wish to participate, or face demotion. Related: Hemp, Greenwood and Stanway back in major Euros boost for England The situation is understood to have left the players and staff anxious, angry and feeling like they are in a state of limbo, while they await a formal decision. Some of the squad have posted their concerns on social media, with the Scotland youth international Murphy writing: 'We, Blackburn Rovers women's first team, were made aware there is a 99% chance that the club's owners won't be financially supporting the team next season. 'Us players and staff deserve far better than what we've experienced in recent seasons. We've once again been left in the dark, waiting to see if the owners will have the decency to do what's best for their players, staff and women's football.' Simon Parker's team finished 10th, second from bottom, in the women's second tier this term, five points clear of danger, despite operating on what was understood on a comparatively low playing budget. The second tier – which was known previously as the Women's Championship – was renamed on Monday as WSL 2. This summer, the minimum requirements to take part in the division are being increased in a bid to raise minimum standards for the players involved, to an extent whereby it is understood second-tier women's clubs will now have to essentially operate a full‑time, professional operation. The list of criteria is believed to include requirements for clubs to commit to appointing the following staff within one month of next season starting: a head of women's football, marketing manager, head coach, assistant coach, physiotherapist or sports therapist, doctor, a strength and conditioning coach, a goalkeeping coach and several people in specific safeguarding and player-welfare roles. Blackburn played all of their home women's matches at Ewood Park this season and their former players include the England internationals Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone and Keira Walsh and have a proud history of developing young players. The league will be keen to avoid a repeat of the situation last summer when Reading withdrew from the second tier at the end of June – for financial reasons – at such a relatively late point in the summer that there was deemed to be insufficient time before pre-season to begin a process of promoting a replacement club, which led to the division including only 11 teams this season. Related: Reading Women ask to leave Championship and aim to play in fifth tier A source told the Guardian that one reason Blackburn have been given a deadline of next week by which to make their decision is to avoid another 11th‑hour withdrawal and ensure there is time for a contingency plan, should Blackburn decide to pull out. The Blackburn goalkeeper Alex Brooks shared the same message posted on X by Murphy, which added: 'Whilst this season may have looked successful to others, we have once again avoided relegation despite having the smallest budget. This group has worked relentlessly hard all season for so little reward.' If they withdraw, Blackburn would not be the only club to decide not to fund a WSL 2 licence this summer, after third-tier Wolves did not submit a bid for promotion despite finishing second in their division. On Monday, the Wolves chairman, Jeff Shi, promised to apply next season instead.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp, Alex Greenwood return to England squad, Lauren James misses out
Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood have returned to the England squad for the Nations League fixtures against Portugal and Spain, but Lauren James misses out through injury. Sarina Wiegman has selected a 27-player squad for the two games in May and June, which are the Lionesses' final fixtures before the England head coach names her squad for the 2025 European Championship this summer. Advertisement Tottenham Hotspur defender Ella Morris, 22, has received her maiden senior call up, and Arsenal forward Michelle Agyemang, who spent the season on loan at Brighton and Hove Albion, keeps her place after the 19-year-old marked her senior debut with a goal inside 41 seconds during April's international window. There is a recall for uncapped Aston Villa midfielder Missy Bo Kearns but Aston Villa defender Lucy Parker, Manchester United centre-back Millie Turner and Brighton midfielder Maisie Symonds drop out from last month's camp. Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy also misses out after making her return from injury at the end of April. Bayern Munich midfielder Stanway has been out since January after tearing her lateral collateral ligament in her knee, leaving her with a race to be fit for Euro 2025. The 26-year-old, a key part of England's Euro 2022 triumph and run to the 2023 World Cup final, underwent surgery and has not played a competitive match since December. Manchester City winger Hemp and defender Greenwood return to the squad for the first time since undergoing knee surgeries in November and December respectively. Hemp was sidelined for five months and Greenwood four, before both returned to action at the end of April and featured in City's final three matches of the season. Advertisement James, however, is absent after missing Chelsea's final seven matches of the season with a hamstring injury. The 23-year-old was withdrawn at half time during England's win over Belgium in April and subsequently withdrew from the squad. No timeframe has been given yet for her return. England play Portugal at Wembley on May 30 before their final Nations League group stage fixture against Spain at Espanyol's RCDE Stadium on June 3. The Lionesses are second in Nations League Group A3, two points behind leaders Spain and three points clear of Portugal in third. Finishing top will ensure progression to the competition's semi-finals, while a top-two finish guarantees a place League A for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers and a more straightforward qualification route. 'Three pillars of England's squad return' The return of Greenwood, Stanway and Hemp from injury is a massive boost and cannot be underestimated. They are three pillars to Wiegman's squad in terms of their tactical, technical and physical qualities but also their leadership and professionalism off the pitch which will drive the squad's standards. Advertisement The absence of Lauren James following her hamstring injury from the last international break is concerning while Agyemang's retention is a clear sign of how much she impressed following her stunning goal against Belgium. Morris' first call-up, as defenders Lucy Parker and Millie Turner drop out, and Bo Kearns' return, in place of Symonds, as well as the fact that Wiegman has picked a 27-player squad are all indications Wiegman is keeping her options open. This international window is the last opportunity for players to secure their place on the plane to Switzerland. England squad in full Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Paris Saint-Germain), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Manchester City), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride) Advertisement Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham FC), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Ella Morris (Tottenham Hotspur), Leah Williamson (Arsenal) Midfielders: Grace Clinton (Manchester United), Missy Bo Kearns (Aston Villa), Fran Kirby (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jess Park (Manchester City), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Chelsea) Forwards: Michelle Agyemang (Brighton & Hove Albion, on loan from Arsenal) Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Chloe Kelly (Arsenal), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Brighton & Hove Albion), Alessia Russo (Arsenal) This article originally appeared in The Athletic. UK Women's Football 2025 The Athletic Media Company
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
WSL: Hemp and Greenwood returns lift Manchester City, Crystal Palace go down
There was a major boost for England and Manchester City as Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood both returned to action for the first time in 2025 following serious knee injuries in City's 1-0 Women's Super League win at Leicester. With both players coming on as second-half substitutes, winger Hemp quickly provided an assist to set up Jess Park's winning goal with 20 minutes remaining. Hemp had been sidelined since November, while Greenwood had been ruled out since December; both will hope to go to Switzerland in July for the Euros. Advertisement Related: Lyon v Arsenal, Women's Champions League semi-final, second leg – live The result kept Manchester City's slim chances of qualifying for Europe alive. Arsenal's top-three finish would have been secured if City had failed to win, while Manchester United's would have also been guaranteed if City had lost. Instead, Nick Cushing's team moved to win four points of third-placed United, who host Chelsea on Wednesday in their game in hand, before next weekend's crucial Manchester derby. At the other end of the WSL table, Crystal Palace have been relegated after just one season in the top-flight after a humiliating 7-1 loss to West Ham United. Leif Smerud's side knew they had to win all of their final three league fixtures to have any chance of survival but West Ham's in-form Germany youth international striker, Shekiera Martinez, crushed their faint hopes by scoring four times, including a first-half hat-trick. Emma Harries also scored twice for the visitors after Viviane Asseyi had got on the scoresheet, with Katie Stengel providing Palace's goal from the penalty spot. Palace have won just two of their 20 WSL matches this season, and have found the gap in class between the Championship and the top tier to be simply too wide. The battle to replace them in the WSL next term will go down to next Sunday's final day of the campaign, after both the top two sides draw 1-1 in the penultimate set of fixtures. With second-placed Birmingham drawing away at Newcastle United, the leaders London City Lionesses missed the chance to clinch promotion as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Durham. That ensured that the top two will now face a head-to-head decider in their season finale at St Andrew's next time out. Dropping down from the Championship to tier three are Sheffield United, whose relegation was confirmed when their 3-2 home loss to Southampton was followed up by a 4-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers for relegation rivals Portsmouth. There were celebrations for the third-tier Northern and Southern division champions, Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town respectively, after both clinched their titles and promotion to the Championship. There are two teams being promoted to the Championship despite only one going down in the other direction, because of Reading's late withdrawal from the second tier last summer.
