Latest news with #LauraWoods
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Honest Hayes and Wright shine as ITV and BBC go head-to-head for Euro 2025 final
Sarina Wiegman's team playing disjointedly, yet rescued by moments of inspiration and fortune. It is why 'Proper England', to use the Lionesses' Euro 2025 mission statement, wins record audiences, an expected worldwide audience of 46 million dragged through Sunday night drama, putting Poldark and Mr Darcy to shame. Across the BBC and ITV, Euro 2025 coverage has not been nearly so happy-clappy as the BBC's Team GB-Beebies, sub-Henman Hill Olympics cheerleading. Perhaps the cruelty of football as a game precludes that. Once the game is afoot, there are few hiding places. Still, there has been a cheeriness to both channels' female lead presenters – Laura Woods for ITV, Gabby Logan for BBC – so rarely seen in the male equivalent. None of the sardonic shrugging of a Gary Lineker, or for older viewers, Des Lynam, little English reserve. Decades of male national team failure made that a default setting, as did hammering players and managers alike. By contrast, the Lionesses had reached a third major final in a row, and as repeat Euro champions are an actual success story a nation can get fully behind. There's very little to hammer. Both choosing a lengthy buildup, ITV stole a 10-minute march, going early with the camera zooming to Woods in the centre circle of St Jakob-Park, Basel. 'Are you ready to do it all over again?' she asked, soon enough alongside the former Chelsea and current USA coach Emma Hayes, the ex-England international Karen Carney and Ian Wright, the former England striker having resumed his role as women's football favourite uncle. 'It's nothing to do with me,' Wrighty replied when depicted as a lucky charm. 'They've made it hard, I'm just pleased to be here.' 'To be honest, they're the best,' the never-less-than-honest Hayes said of the hot favourites Spain. By now, the BBC had kicked off with a good-luck message from Harry Kane, before then mashing up footage of England's progress with Focus Is Power, by Self Esteem, the south Yorkshire musician telling the camera: 'A little girl in England can grow up and say I want to be a footballer – the impossible made possible.' Logan was joined by the former Lionesses Ellen White and Steph Houghton and the former Manchester City player Nedum Onuoha. 'In Sarina, we trust,' White said as news of Wiegman's team selection arrived. Still more than a full hour to kick-off, including some of that soft-focus performance poetry beloved on such sporting occasions by TV execs. It dragged. Eventually Wrighty admitted: 'Yeah, I'm getting nervous now.' It was not an entirely wasted hour. On ITV, a reminder of what women's football fought off, footage showing the 1970s legend Rodney Marsh and the late doyen of football journalism Brian Glanville's rank dismissiveness, ending with the Lioness Beth Mead telling those who lived through this: 'You helped change the game for the better, be proud of that.' 'It's laughable now,' said Wrighty, visibly embarrassed by football-man forefathers. Finally, time for the commentators, Robyn Cowen on BBC, Seb Hutchinson on ITV, two safe pairs of hands, the former England goalkeeper Rachel Finnis-Brown alongside Cowen, the fine tactical toothcomb of Lucy Ward, once of Leeds, accompanying Hutchinson. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion 'England almost finding a way through,' Hutchinson's baritone growled during one early near-miss. Commentating on such matches isn't easy; willing on one side while trying to maintain a soupçon of neutrality, all while hoping to nail the moments that matter. 'It's a gorgeous Spain goal,' Cowen said as Mariona Caldentey scored. 'Too easy,' Ward said. By half-time, despite the talismanic Chloe Kelly replacing James, the mood was sombre. 'We've been totally off it,' Wrighty lamented. 'England lack freshness,' explained Hayes. Alessia Russo's goal – and name – received the same reaction from both commentators. 'Russoooo!' roared Robyn. So did Seb. 'Never write England off!' he bellowed. By now his growls were recalling the great Brian Moore. Cowen said 'time seems to be slowing down' as extra time approached. 'England were never going to make this comfortable, I can't bear it,' Woods said. Hayes said: 'I love it.' As the cost of mistakes grew, the game's entertainment values became more slasher movie than high-class narrative. 'I'm not sure this is good for our health,' Cowen said before the unfailing dopamine hit of penalties arrived. 'I just can't do it again,' White said. 'A huge moment for Hannah Hampton,' Cowen said after the keeper's first save. 'Calm Niamh Charles,' Hutchinson roared before next: 'Hampton, all the way.' England had grabbed the initiative. Cue Kelly. 'The legendary Lionesses,' Hutchinson said. 'Now that is proper English,' Cowen said. Both had successfully landed the words they had waited so long to be able to say.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Fans all switch over to ITV for Euro 2025 final after realising who pundits are for England vs Spain final
BBC's line-up was nothing to sniff at Switched it up Switched it up Fans all switch over to ITV for Euro 2025 final after realising who pundits are for England vs Spain final Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FOOTBALL fans have all been switching over their TV's for the Women's Euro 2025 final after learning who is working on ITV. England Women are taking on Spain for a chance at revenge for the 2023 Women's World Cup final. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Fans have voted with their TV remotes over coverage of the Women's Euro 2025 final 2 Fans have switched to ITV upon realising the likes of Seb Hutchinson are working on Credit: ITV Both BBC and ITV have been sharing the broadcasting rights for the tournament as Sarina Wiegman's side scraped into the Basel showpiece final. However, for many fans it is ITV have won the battle of the broadcasters this time around after their stunning punditry and commentary line-up was revealed. ITV went with award-winning presenter Laura Woods for presenting duties. And they have teamed Woods up with a heavy-hitting trio, kicking off with Arsenal and England icon Ian Wright. With him they also fan-favourite Karen Carney and legendary former Chelsea Women's and current USWNT coach Emma Hayes. They then also have Seb Hutchinson and Lucy Ward in the commentary box. Meanwhile, BBC's studio coverage was being presented by Gabby Logan, with Alex Scott on touchline presenting duties. England greats Steph Houghton, Ellen White and Jill Scott were all on hand for expert analysis alongside Nedum Onuoha. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Their commentary team for the final involved Robyn Cowen and former Lioness goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis. And despite their own impressive team, fans watching on the BBC voted with their remotes on who they thought was the best viewing experience. England fans gather at St Jakob Park stadium before Lionesses face Spain in Euro 2025 final One fan said: "Normally in finals BBC has the better coverage but just for Seb Hutchinson it's gotta be ITV." A second said: "I usually watch big finals on the BBC, but I prefer ITV's studio team." A third said: "Watching on ITV for Seb Hutchinson commentary." Another said: "Laura Woods presenting. Emma, Wrighty & Kaz punditry. Seb Hutchinson commentary. ITV definitely winning." A fifth added: "First time I've ever picked ITV over BBC for a final - Seb Hutchinson is top tier."
The Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Fans all switch over to ITV for Euro 2025 final after realising who pundits are for England vs Spain final
FOOTBALL fans have all been switching over their TVs for the Women's Euro 2025 final after learning who is working on ITV. England Women are taking on Spain for a chance at revenge for the 2023 Women's World Cup final. 2 2 Both BBC and ITV have been sharing the broadcasting rights for the tournament as Sarina Wiegman 's side scraped into the Basel showpiece final. However, for many fans it is ITV have won the battle of the broadcasters this time around after their stunning punditry and commentary line-up was revealed. ITV went with award-winning presenter Laura Woods for presenting duties. And they have teamed Woods up with a heavy-hitting trio, kicking off with Arsenal and England icon Ian Wright. With him they also fan-favourite Karen Carney and legendary former Chelsea Women's and current USWNT coach Emma Hayes. They then also have Seb Hutchinson and Lucy Ward in the commentary box. Meanwhile, BBC's studio coverage was being presented by Gabby Logan, with Alex Scott on touchline presenting duties. England greats Steph Houghton, Ellen White and Jill Scott were all on hand for expert analysis alongside Nedum Onuoha. Their commentary team for the final involved Robyn Cowen and former Lioness goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis. And despite their own impressive team, fans watching on the BBC voted with their remotes on who they thought was the best viewing experience. England fans gather at St Jakob Park stadium before Lionesses face Spain in Euro 2025 final One fan said: "Normally in finals BBC has the better coverage but just for Seb Hutchinson it's gotta be ITV." A second said: "I usually watch big finals on the BBC, but I prefer ITV's studio team." A third said: "Watching on ITV for Seb Hutchinson commentary." Another said: "Laura Woods presenting. Emma, Wrighty & Kaz punditry. Seb Hutchinson commentary. ITV definitely winning." A fifth added: "First time I've ever picked ITV over BBC for a final - Seb Hutchinson is top tier."
ITV News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- ITV News
ITV scores biggest audience of the year with Lionesses UEFA Women's EUROS victory
ITV's coverage of England v Italy on Tuesday night was watched by a peak of 10.2 million across all devices, giving ITV its biggest peak audience of 2025 across ITV1 and ITVX. The match averaged 8 million viewers across all devices, from kick off until the final whistle, delivering ITV's biggest audience amongst all adults and the 16-34 demographic for overnight ratings for the year so far. England's victory on Tuesday night is also ITVX's biggest day this year with 17.2m streams. The Lionesses victory over Italy will see them progress to the final of the UEFA Women's EUROS this Sunday 27th July on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player from 3:30pm. ITV's line-up on Sunday will be led by Laura Woods, who is joined in the studio in Basel by Ian Wright, Emma Hayes and Karen Carney. ITV's package of coverage includes social platforms @ITVFootball on X, Facebook and Instagram and @ITVSport on TikTok and YouTube, ensuring fans will not miss a single minute of the action.
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
England's Euro 2025 semi-final win draws ITV's highest viewing figures of the year
England's European Championship semi-final win over Italy on Tuesday night delivered ITV's highest viewing figures of the year. A peak audience of 10.2 million were watching when Chloe Kelly converted a penalty rebound in the final minutes of extra time to take the Lionesses through to their third successive major final. The dramatic semi-final averaged 8 million viewers across the 120 minutes. This was ITV's highest average audience of the year among adults and in the 16-34 age range. England's victory over Italy also broke streaming records, with ITVX having its biggest day of the year with 17.2m stream views. Support for England has grown significantly throughout the tournament, with ITV's peak audience reaching 2.6 million for the team's opening group game against France and hitting 4.2 million for the final group game against Wales. A 7.3 million peak audience watched the quarter-final against Sweden on the BBC. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion ITV will share coverage of Sunday's final against Spain or Germany with the BBC. ITV's lineup in the the studio in Basel will be Laura Woods, Ian Wright, Emma Hayes and Karen Carney.
