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Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
London parade welcome Eng after Euro win
Sarina Wiegman and Co. pose with the trophy after they touched down on home soil. Photo: LIONESSES Thousands of cheering fans gathered to celebrate the England women's soccer team in central London on Tuesday as the jubilant players marked their historic Euro 2025 triumph with an open-top bus parade. The team, known as the 'Lionesses', beat world champions Spain 3-1 on penalties in a nail-biting final in Basel to secure their second consecutive European title, retaining the crown they won as hosts three years ago. It is the first time an England soccer team have won a major trophy on foreign soil. Crowds standing 20 to 30 deep in places packed the parade route, many holding young children aloft to catch sight of the players as they waved and filmed the scene from the top deck of their buses. The two buses, emblazoned with the word 'Champions', followed a marching band along The Mall, where England's red and white St George's Cross flags fluttered throughout the crowd, on the way to a stage in front of Buckingham Palace. "Everything we do, obviously we do it for us and our team, but we do it for the country and we do it for young girls," captain Leah Williamson said after the players had made their way to the stage to address the flag-waving supporters. "Thank you so much for being with us. Stay with us, this story is not done yet," she said. The celebrations kicked off on Monday when the team arrived home, greeted by excited fans who defied instructions not to gather at the airport. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner later hosted them at a reception at Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Downing Street residence. Starmer, who missed the reception as he was in Scotland meeting U.S. President Donald Trump, congratulated the players again on social media late on Monday, posting on X: "Back-to-back tournament wins. Inspiring the next generation. History makers." Fan Kathryn Hall, who was at Tuesday's parade, said she had been following the team since before a recent surge in the popularity of women's football in England. "We always hoped this would happen for the girls," the 47-year-old communications manager said. "All those players that have come before ... they must be so proud. It's really emotional." England's Lionesses returned to a heroes' welcome on Monday, less than 24 hours after their dramatic penalty-shootout victory against world champions Spain in the Euro 2025 final. Supporters, many of whom were dressed in England kits and holding flags, cheered as they waited outside Southend airport, about 40 miles (64 kilometres) east of London. In a post on X, the team shared a photo of the trophy draped in an England flag on a seat on the plane, which had "Home" painted in red letters on its side. The aircraft was welcomed with a water salute from two fire engines after landing. Captain Leah Williamson and manager Wiegman were the first off, with the skipper proudly holding the trophy. The Lionesses were whisked straight to 10 Downing Street, the working home of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer which was decked out in England flags. The team were hosted by Deputy Prime minister Angela Rayner and Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock while Starmer was in Scotland meeting US President Donald Trump. An open-top bus parade will follow on Tuesday, culminating in a celebration in front of Buckingham Palace. Victory in Switzerland was sweet revenge for Wiegman's defending champions, who suffered bitter defeat against the same opponents in the World Cup final two years ago. King Charles III said the team had the royal family's "warmest appreciation and admiration" following their victory, adding: "The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can." Starmer also hailed the triumph, saying: "The Lionesses have once again captured the hearts of the nation."
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Incredible reason England Lionesses hero missed Downing Street party and open top bus tour revealed
LIONESSES star Jess Carter missed the team's Downing Street visit for a shock reason. The 27-year-old centre-back was one of Advertisement 4 The Lionesses visited Downing Street on their return home Credit: Alamy 4 Jess Carter was missing from the celebrations Credit: AP After beating Spain in a They were immediately Deputy Prime Minister and sports minister Stephanie Peacock hosted the team as they sipped on drinks in the garden. But eagle-eyed fans noticed that Carter was surprisingly missing from the bash. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL It has now been revealed that the defender had to fly back to the US to prepare for her next club match. Carter plays for New York side Gotham FC and they face the Chicago Stars on Saturday. The club were harshly unwilling to give her any extra time off to celebrate and she was summoned back for training. It means Carter will also miss the open-top bus parade on Tuesday afternoon. Advertisement Most read in Football Latest Breaking Lionesses Anna Moorhouse and Esme Morgan also play for sides in the US. But they were allowed to stay in England to bask in the glory. Inside Lionesses' boozy Euro 2025 celebrations as stars party with pizzas, beers and loved ones after win over Spain It comes after Carter After victory over Spain, she said: "I was Advertisement 'When I woke up in the morning and saw my team and saw the support I had - and the belief I had from my team-mates, manager and family - I could come out and give my all. That's all you can do. 'It's incredible, the fans have been incredible all tournament and we couldn't have done this without them. We're so grateful for them and this moment. "Giving up is not in our DNA. We have stuck together from minute one. I couldn't be prouder of this team and I'm so honoured to be proud of it. 'I'm more disappointed in my previous performances than anyone else.' Advertisement Remaining in Downing Street, the Cabinet Office is set to reward legends Hannah Hampton and Leah Williamson's OBE may be upgraded to a CBE and Dutch boss Sarina Wiegman is in line for an 4 Carter has had to go back to the US for her next club match Credit: Getty 4 The team mingled in the Downing Street garden and will board an open-top bus on Tuesday Credit: Getty Advertisement England are queens of Europe England legend Lucy Bronze reveals she played Player ratings - see how England's finest in Chloe Kelly steals the show after Eagle-eyed fans stunned at where Joyous
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Incredible reason England Lionesses hero missed Downing Street party and open top bus tour revealed
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LIONESSES star Jess Carter missed the team's Downing Street visit for a shock reason. The 27-year-old centre-back was one of England's key players at the Euros, starting in all but one match en route to glory. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The Lionesses visited Downing Street on their return home Credit: Alamy 4 Jess Carter was missing from the celebrations Credit: AP After beating Spain in a dramatic penalty shootout on Sunday night, the squad return home to a hero's welcome. They were immediately invited to Downing Street for a party, posing outside the famous No10 door on the red carpet. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock hosted the team as they sipped on drinks in the garden. But eagle-eyed fans noticed that Carter was surprisingly missing from the bash. It has now been revealed that the defender had to fly back to the US to prepare for her next club match. Carter plays for New York side Gotham FC and they face the Chicago Stars on Saturday. The club were harshly unwilling to give her any extra time off to celebrate and she was summoned back for training. It means Carter will also miss the open-top bus parade on Tuesday afternoon. Lionesses Anna Moorhouse and Esme Morgan also play for sides in the US. But they were allowed to stay in England to bask in the glory. Inside Lionesses' boozy Euro 2025 celebrations as stars party with pizzas, beers and loved ones after win over Spain It comes after Carter battled racist abuse that she received online during the Euros. After victory over Spain, she said: "I was super scared of playing the final for the first time in my life. 'When I woke up in the morning and saw my team and saw the support I had - and the belief I had from my team-mates, manager and family - I could come out and give my all. That's all you can do. 'It's incredible, the fans have been incredible all tournament and we couldn't have done this without them. We're so grateful for them and this moment. "Giving up is not in our DNA. We have stuck together from minute one. I couldn't be prouder of this team and I'm so honoured to be proud of it. 'I'm more disappointed in my previous performances than anyone else.' Remaining in Downing Street, the Cabinet Office is set to reward legends Hannah Hampton and Chloe Kelly in the next honours list. Leah Williamson's OBE may be upgraded to a CBE and Dutch boss Sarina Wiegman is in line for an honorary damehood. 4 Carter has had to go back to the US for her next club match Credit: Getty
The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Incredible reason England Lionesses hero missed Downing Street party and open top bus tour revealed
LIONESSES star Jess Carter missed the team's Downing Street visit for a shock reason. The 27-year-old centre-back was one of England 's key players at the Euros, starting in all but one match en route to glory. 4 After beating Spain in a dramatic penalty shootout on Sunday night, the squad return home to a hero's welcome. They were immediately invited to Downing Street for a party, posing outside the famous No10 door on the red carpet. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock hosted the team as they sipped on drinks in the garden. But eagle-eyed fans noticed that Carter was surprisingly missing from the bash. It has now been revealed that the defender had to fly back to the US to prepare for her next club match. Carter plays for New York side Gotham FC and they face the Chicago Stars on Saturday. The club were harshly unwilling to give her any extra time off to celebrate and she was summoned back for training. It means Carter will also miss the open-top bus parade on Tuesday afternoon. Lionesses Anna Moorhouse and Esme Morgan also play for sides in the US. But they were allowed to stay in England to bask in the glory. Inside Lionesses' boozy Euro 2025 celebrations as stars party with pizzas, beers and loved ones after win over Spain It comes after Carter battled racist abuse that she received online during the Euros. After victory over Spain, she said: "I was super scared of playing the final for the first time in my life. 'When I woke up in the morning and saw my team and saw the support I had - and the belief I had from my team-mates, manager and family - I could come out and give my all. That's all you can do. 'It's incredible, the fans have been incredible all tournament and we couldn't have done this without them. We're so grateful for them and this moment. "Giving up is not in our DNA. We have stuck together from minute one. I couldn't be prouder of this team and I'm so honoured to be proud of it. 'I'm more disappointed in my previous performances than anyone else.' Remaining in Downing Street, the Cabinet Office is set to reward legends Hannah Hampton and Chloe Kelly in the next honours list. Leah Williamson's OBE may be upgraded to a CBE and Dutch boss Sarina Wiegman is in line for an honorary damehood. 4 4
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Lionesses were in crisis going into Euro 2025 as critics turned on Sarina Wiegman… England boss is owed an apology
SARINA WIEGMAN is owed an apology. By any and all who doubted her ahead of this, a Advertisement 5 Sarina Wiegman was doubted heading into Euro 2025 Credit: Alamy 5 Now the three-time Euros winner is owed an apology Credit: Getty 5 Mary Earps was ruled out of the Euros Credit: Getty 5 As was Fran Kirby Credit: Getty Wiegman, cemented now as one of the greatest managers in the history of women's football, described Euro 2025 as the most chaotic tournament she had ever experienced. But even before England arrived in Switzerland to defend their title, the Dutchwoman was facing intense scrutiny. After the influential duo of Mary Earps and Millie Bright ruled themselves out just weeks before the tournament and Fran Kirby retired from international football after being told she would not go to the Euros, faith in Wiegman was on the wane. Crisis had struck and many questioned if the woman in charge could handle the fallout and whether she had caused it. Advertisement READ MORE ON LIONESSES Had she lost her touch? Was she too direct or brutally honest with her players? Those questions looked foolish as the Wiegman's players were in awe of her in Switzerland, a manager who kept her cool with the team on the brink more than once. The ex-Netherlands boss told the squad they had almost killed her twice, with last-gasp comebacks against Sweden and Italy in the quarter-final and semi-final. Advertisement Most read in Football England are queens of Europe England legend Lucy Bronze reveals she played Player ratings - see how England's finest in Chloe Kelly steals the show after Eagle-eyed fans stunned at where Joyous CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Wiegman had to stand and watch three spells of extra-time — the first time any side has gone the distance in three games at a women's Euros. She also had to endure two penalty shootouts, which both swung dramatically from one side to the other. 'This is the most chaotic and ridiculous tournament we have played' says Sarina Wiegman Wiegman insisted there was no lack of belief during those nervy knockout ties — but the manager did admit there were brief moments when she thought they were going home. Advertisement While there was a calm exterior throughout every close call, she was 'having a heart attack' inside. Despite that, she always found the right words for the moment. Delivering emotional and inspirational speeches when they were needed most. Those messages all had an edge. The Lionesses boss said she could not repeat some of the language from her team-talks, while sales of the 'b**tches get s*** done' washbags will surely skyrocket. Having kept her cool throughout, the moment Advertisement Wiegman said: 'I just started running. I'd been screaming for three minutes. I just could not believe that we won it. 'When she went to take that penalty, her conviction again — and she just loves these moments.' Players were shown clips of their finest moments out here, one last confidence boost to get over the line when hope appeared lost. Wiegman showed faith in the likes of teenage striker Michelle Agyemang unknown to all but the most ardent Women's Super League fans before this tournament. Advertisement She's bloody amazing. She's an incredible woman. What she's done for this country, we should all be so grateful for. Chloe Kelly on Sarina Wiegman Agyemang, 19, is a new favourite, scoring the leveller against Sweden after England were 2-0 down, before the most dramatic of injury-time equalisers to set up the semi-final win against Italy in extra-time. But the resolve and determination which has defined England's heroines all stems from their coach, also a Euros winner with her native Holland in 2017, and her staff. There are so many of this squad who have faced adversity, did not think they would be here or had struggles throughout the tournament. Kelly, Advertisement But Wiegman stuck with her. A loan move to Arsenal followed, where she won the Champions League with victory over Barcelona — before scoring or assisting in every Euros knockout game and hitting the winning spot-kick. Kelly said of the Lionesses boss: 'She's bloody amazing. She's an incredible woman. What she's done for this country, we should all be so grateful for. 'What she's done for me individually, she gave me hope when I probably didn't have any. 'She gave me an opportunity to represent my country again. Advertisement 'What she's done for the women's game, not just in England, in the Netherlands she's done it, she's taken it to a whole other level. 'Are you sure?' 'The work doesn't go unnoticed from the staff behind her, they're incredible people.' Jess Carter was dropped for the semi-final against Italy after some shaky performances. And the Chelsea defender's misery was compounded by some horrific racist abuse from online trolls. Advertisement But Wiegman showed the faith to restore her in Basel — and Carter delivered the performance of a lifetime against Spain. The centre-back, 27, said: 'We went into training and she sat me down and said, 'I'm thinking of starting you on Sunday'. I said, 'OK, thanks'. 'After, I was thinking, 'Are you sure?' To have that faith from Sarina to put me back in the squad and that she believed I could help this team to a trophy was amazing. 'It gave me a lot of confidence going into this game.' Advertisement Wiegman revealed ahead of the final that she had fallen in love with England. There can be few who will argue the feeling is not mutual. 5 England's Lionesses made it consecutive European Championship wins Credit: Reuters
