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Al-Ahram Weekly
an hour ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
From hospital bed to Euro hero - Bonmati back to her decisive best for Spain - World
"You could write a book about this," said Aitana Bonmati on Wednesday as she reflected on the last few weeks in her life after scoring the goal which took Spain into the final of the Women's Euro 2025. At the end of June the world's leading women's footballer was lying in hospital with viral meningitis and it looked like she might not be able to play for Spain at the tournament in Switzerland. Now she is preparing to lead her team into Sunday's final against England in Basel, in a rematch of the 2023 World Cup decider which Spain won, after converting the only goal of the last-four clash with Germany late in extra time. "When the ball went in I started running around like a crazy person. I didn't know where to go," a smiling Bonmati said as she spoke to media at the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich after collecting the trophy for player of the match. "It is so special to score in games like these and if I can help the team to keep making history that is very special indeed." Barcelona midfielder Bonmati, who has won the Ballon d'Or in each of the last two years, was taken into hospital at the end of June after reporting feeling unwell. Tests confirmed that she was suffering from a bout of viral meningitis and Bonmati could only watch from bed as her teammates beat Japan in a friendly. Viral meningitis is less serious than the rarer bacterial variant, which can lead to death within 24 hours, but it still seemed like a long shot for her to recover in time for the Euros. Growing rivalry Yet she did recover, and appeared as a late substitute in Spain's opening game at the tournament, a 5-0 win over Portugal in Bern on July 3. The 27-year-old was back in the starting line-up for their final group match, a 3-1 victory over Italy, and retained her place for the quarter-final against the host nation before scoring the winner against Germany. "I don't believe in destiny, just in hard work and in my own mentality. I can only thank everyone who has supported me because it has not been easy," Bonmati admitted. "She didn't have an easy start to the Euros but she has managed to overcome her health problems and has worked hard to get fit again," remarked coach Montse Tome. Spain are now into their first ever senior women's European Championship final, two years after winning the World Cup for the first time. Bonmati was one of the stars of that superb team which defeated England in Sydney, and is now dreaming of another title. La Roja are the favourites, even if England are the defending continental champions, for the latest instalment in a growing rivalry between the nations. As well as the 2023 Women's World Cup final, Spain beat England in the final of the men's Euros last year in Berlin. In late May an Arsenal side featuring several members of Sarina Wiegman's current England squad defeated Barcelona in the final of the Women's Champions League. Seven of the players who started for Barcelona that day in Lisbon also started against Germany on Wednesday, among them goalkeeper Cata Coll who made several vital saves before Bonmati got the winner. "Cata played really well, with some big saves when we were suffering," Bonmati said of Coll, who missed all of Spain's three group games due to tonsilitis. "Neither of us had the start we wanted at this Euros due to illness but we are lucky to be here today. "It shows what can happen in life. In the end we have had good news." (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
From hospital bed to EURO 2025 hero: Aitana Bonmati back to her decisive best for Spain
'You could write a book about this,' said Aitana Bonmati on Wednesday as she reflected on the last few weeks in her life after scoring the goal which took Spain into the final of the Women's Euro 2025. At the end of June the world's leading women's footballer was lying in hospital with viral meningitis and it looked like she might not be able to play for Spain at the tournament in Switzerland. Now she is preparing to lead her team into Sunday's final against England in Basel, in a rematch of the 2023 World Cup decider which Spain won, after converting the only goal of the last-four clash with Germany late in extra time. 'When the ball went in I started running around like a crazy person. I didn't know where to go,' a smiling Bonmati said as she spoke to media at the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich after collecting the trophy for player of the match. Spain's Aitana Bonmati, background right celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the Women's Euro 2025 semifinals match between Germany and Spain. | Photo Credit: MICHAEL BUHOLZER/AP 'It is so special to score in games like these and if I can help the team to keep making history that is very special indeed.' Barcelona midfielder Bonmati, who has won the Ballon d'Or in each of the last two years, was taken into hospital at the end of June after reporting feeling unwell. Tests confirmed that she was suffering from a bout of viral meningitis and Bonmati could only watch from bed as her teammates beat Japan in a friendly. Viral meningitis is less serious than the rarer bacterial variant, which can lead to death within 24 hours, but it still seemed like a long shot for her to recover in time for the Euros. Growing rivalry Yet she did recover, and appeared as a late substitute in Spain's opening game at the tournament, a 5-0 win over Portugal in Bern on July 3. The 27-year-old was back in the starting line-up for Spain's final group match, a 3-1 victory over Italy, and retained her place for the quarter-final against the host nation before scoring the winner against Germany. 'I don't believe in destiny, just in hard work and in my own mentality. I can only thank everyone who has supported me because it has not been easy,' Bonmati admitted. 'She didn't have an easy start to the Euros but she has managed to overcome her health problems and has worked hard to get fit again,' remarked coach Montse Tome. Spain is now into its first-ever senior women's European Championship final, two years after winning the World Cup for the first time. Bonmati was one of the stars of that superb team which defeated England in Sydney, and is now dreaming of another title. ALSO READ | Spain reaches final after 1-0 extra-time win over Germany La Roja are the favourites, even if England is the defending continental champions, for the latest instalment in a growing rivalry between the nations. As well as the 2023 Women's World Cup final, Spain beat England in the final of the men's Euros last year in Berlin. In late May an Arsenal side featuring several members of Sarina Wiegman's current England squad defeated Barcelona in the final of the Women's Champions League. Seven of the players who started for Barcelona that day in Lisbon also started against Germany on Wednesday, among them goalkeeper Cata Coll who made several vital saves before Bonmati got the winner. 'Cata played really well, with some big saves when we were suffering,' Bonmati said of Coll, who missed all of Spain's three group games due to tonsilitis. 'Neither of us had the start we wanted at this Euros due to illness but we are lucky to be here today. 'It shows what can happen in life. In the end we have had good news.'
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Spain edge Germany to set up Euro 2025 final with England – Women's Football Weekly
On the podcast today: Spain are through to their first European Championship final after a tense 1-0 extra-time victory over Germany in Zurich. Aitana Bonmatí delivered the decisive goal in the 113th minute to set up a historic night for the world champions. The panel unpacks a fiercely competitive semi-final, from Bonmatí's brilliance to Cata Coll's heroics in goal, and asks how Spain managed to keep their composure against a resilient German side. Elsewhere, the panel assess what's next for Germany after a campaign full of adversity and transition. Plus, we ask if Spain's patience and squad depth could be the keys to another major trophy, and look ahead to Sunday's blockbuster final, a World Cup rematch between England and La Roja. Also, the panel responds to your emails, reflects on Euro 2025's surprises, and shares thoughts on the legacy this tournament will leave behind. Sign up for our weekly women's football newsletter – all you need to do is search 'Moving the Goalposts sign up' or follow this link. Support the Guardian here.
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
England and Spain meet again but a lot has changed since 2023 World Cup final
When you think about it, there really should be little surprise that it will be England and Spain who meet in the final of Euro 2025 on Sunday. It was almost inevitable that they would face each other once again. Two nations whose journeys seem intrinsically linked at this point; two nations whose rise has changed and disrupted the historic order of the women's game. While England's recent achievements may have come a few years earlier than Spain's, the comparisons between the two are clear. While the Lionesses have more historic success – they reached the European Championship final in both 1984 and 2009 and have been among the final four in their last six tournaments – their feats in the full-time era of the game are mirrored. They lifted their first major trophies within 12 months of each other – England in 2022, Spain in 2023 – and over the last three years, both have proved they have the squad and resources that could maintain this success for years to come, despite growth in the sport elsewhere. Two years have passed since they last came head to head in a major tournament. The 2023 World Cup final was a historic moment for both nations with Spain eventually claiming the ultimate prize. La Roja were the better team that day, despite the narrow scoreline. They dominated the midfield area and tactically outsmarted the Lionesses in Sydney, pouncing on their naivety pushing forward and being clinical when it mattered. Olga Carmona's winner was a perfect example of the quality of their execution. When you dig into the stats, however, there was perhaps a little less between them than on first viewing. Spain controlled the ball and created more opportunities, but they only registered two more shots on target than their opponents. It was an illustration that, despite their different brands of football, there is little between them in the big moments. Neither are the same since they met that day in August 2023. Spanish football faced a reckoning in the wake of that final. The actions of former president of the Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales – both the kiss that he forced on Jenni Hermoso and his reaction to the backlash – tarnished the celebrations and finally forced through the changes many of the players had been asking for for so long. That it took that incident to happen in front of the world before they were listened to remains a stain on RFEF. While much has improved, there is still a long way to go for the game to reach parity domestically. Under Montse Tomé, La Roja have developed their technical style of play even further. In Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas and Patri Guijarro, they possess three of the best midfielders in world football, all capable of unlocking defences. But they have also developed different threats. The return of Esther González, coming in as the starting No 9, has allowed them to add a directness to their play that they did not previously possess. The quality of the long balls, either from the central defenders or predominantly Carmona at left-back, has added a new dimension to their game. The introduction of Clàudia Pina and 18-year-old Vicky López and the constant success of the youth pathway also demonstrates that there is a succession plan in place. England have undergone a transition of their own, a regeneration of sorts with several young players securing permanent spots in the senior squad. While many of Sarina Wiegman's stalwarts from her four years at the helm remain – Leah Williamson, Georgia Stanway and Alessia Russo for example – new faces have come in and their strength in depth, particularly in creative areas, has continued to increase. Despite some inconsistent form, they have developed a more robust and adaptable style of play and, as seen so far this tournament, they can rely on the versatility of their players to come on and change a game. Michelle Agyemang's rise through the ranks epitomises this. The 19-year-old received her first call up in April but has made her impact off the bench with three goals in four appearances. In their two meetings since August 2023, they have won one apiece. For England, February's win at Wembley in the Nations League will have filled them with confidence that they can find a gameplan to frustrate and beat Spain. La Roja's victory in June proved that they equally have the tools to come out on top. Sunday's game in Basel will be a fascinating tactical battle between two teams and two managers at the peak of their powers. It really is anyone's guess who will be the one to take home the main prize. If you have any questions or comments about any of our newsletters please email This is an extract from our free weekly email, Moving the Goalposts. To get the full edition, visit this page and follow the instructions. Moving the Goalposts is delivered to your inboxes every Tuesday and Thursday.
The Guardian
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Spain edge Germany to set up Euro 2025 final with England – Women's Football Weekly
On the podcast today: Spain are through to their first European Championship final after a tense 1-0 extra-time victory over Germany in Zurich. Aitana Bonmatí delivered the decisive goal in the 113th minute to set up a historic night for the world champions. The panel unpacks a fiercely competitive semi-final, from Bonmatí's brilliance to Cata Coll's heroics in goal, and asks how Spain managed to keep their composure against a resilient German side. Elsewhere, the panel assess what's next for Germany after a campaign full of adversity and transition. Plus, we ask if Spain's patience and squad depth could be the keys to another major trophy, and look ahead to Sunday's blockbuster final, a World Cup rematch between England and La Roja. Also, the panel responds to your emails, reflects on Euro 2025's surprises, and shares thoughts on the legacy this tournament will leave behind. Sign up for our weekly women's football newsletter – all you need to do is search 'Moving the Goalposts sign up' or follow this link. Support the Guardian here.
