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The Guardian
19 hours ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Lionesses greeted by jubilant England fans on return home after Euro 2025 victory
The Lionesses have been greeted by cheering crowds after landing at Southend airport, with fans eager to give the squad a triumphant homecoming after their Euro 2025 victory. The team arrived back in the UK on Monday afternoon after defending their title in a penalty shootout win over Spain in Basel on Sunday. Many supporters had dressed for the Lionesses' return, wearing England kits and holding flags. Cheers erupted at the Essex airport as the plane approached the runway and again as the team emerged from the airport to walk along a red carpet waving at fans. The team's captain, Leah Williamson, led the squad out of the private terminal just before 5pm, carrying the trophy. Among the fans were the twins Poppy and Daisy Macdonald, 11, from Benfleet, Essex, who were holding a sign asking for a photo with the star striker Alessia Russo. Poppy said: 'We're so proud. They've won it two times in a row and they've worked so hard for it. They've had a lot of injuries and setbacks but they've done really well.' Daisy admitted she struggled to watch the penalty shootout. 'I couldn't watch, I was very nervous, but very happy that they won,' she said. The players attended a celebratory reception at Downing Street, hosted by the deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, and the sports minister, Stephanie Peacock. No 10 was decorated for the occasion, with St George's flags draped over windows and bunting along the railings. Welcoming the team, Rayner called it a 'historic day for English football, for women's sport – and for the country'. 'The Lionesses have brought it home again,' she said. 'With grit, and with determination and skill, you roared. And I know I wasn't the only one roaring with you. 'You've made us all so, so, proud. Your performances have inspired the nation and lifted women's football to new heights … Role models like you send such a powerful message. The Lionesses are a shining example of a talent and excitement of women's football. 'This win is a brilliant advert for the sport and will inspire thousands of girls to dream big,' she added. 'The next generation of Lionesses are out there now – playing in schools, parks, and grassroots clubs.' 'It was amazing. I just burst out crying just in pure emotion,' said one fan waiting outside the black gates in front of Downing Street. 'Just that little girl inside of me watching football when I was younger and seeing how far the game has grown since then, it all just kind of got to me.' Another fan waiting to get a peek of the team had only just come back from Switzerland to watch the team romp to the final. Izzy said seeing the players arrive at Downing Street was an opportunity that could not be missed. 'For me there wasn't really a doubt that they were going to win, but it was still really stressful,' said the 30-year-old, who asked not to share her surname after calling in sick to work to celebrate the Lionesses' victory. As a former player herself, she travelled to London alone and is staying in the capital for Tuesday's open-top bus tour. She said the growth in support since the team's 2022 win was evident by having to queue online for tickets to watch Sunday's match at a London screening. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion 'That wouldn't have happened a few years ago,' she said. 'It's great to see everyone supporting them.' Despite some players being lined up for MBEs after the victory, and congratulations from Keir Starmer and King Charles, it is understood that Downing Street has no plans for a bank holiday to mark the Lionesses' triumph. 'If we had a bank holiday every time the Lionesses win, [we] would never go to work,' the Starmer's spokesperson said on Monday, as the prime minister met the US president, Donald Trump, in Scotland. After the Downing Street reception, Labour announced plans to more than double grassroots playing slots for women and girls across England over the next five years. 'Today we're taking decisive action to ensure that the incredible success of the Lionesses creates a lasting legacy for women and girls in sport,' said the culture, media and sport secretary, Lisa Nandy, who attended Sunday's final in Basel. 'This isn't just about celebrating today's achievements – it's about building the foundations through our plan for change by removing barriers to participation.' Williamson had been seen earlier on Monday smiling and holding the trophy as the team left their hotel in Zurich and began their journey home in the rain. Other team members, wearing their medals, smiled as they high-fived supporters waiting outside the building and signed autographs. The team will take part in an open-top bus procession along the Mall and a ceremony in front of Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. A trip to Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle may be on the cards for the winning squad in the autumn. Royal aides are understood to be exploring the possibility of a reception.
Telegraph
a day ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
England fans defy FA to greet Lionesses
England fans defied the Football Association (FA) to welcome the victorious Lionesses when they landed back on home turf. Hundreds of supporters greeted the England women's football team at London Southend Airport on Monday to celebrate their European Championship triumph. Fans, many of whom were dressed in England kits and holding flags, erupted in cheers as they saw the white and red plane approaching the runway and again as the team emerged from the airport to walk along a red carpet, waving to fans. It was a far cry from the scenes at Heathrow Airport in 2023 when the team, arriving home from a World Cup final in Australia, left through a private exit to the disappointment of waiting fans. The welcome party that followed their penalty shoot-out victory over Spain on Sunday night came despite the FA advising fans not to travel to the airport because of concerns of 'limited space'. 'Our history-making Lionesses will return home this afternoon,' an FA spokesman said. 'But due to limited space at the airport, we would advise fans not to travel there today. 'Instead, we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in Central London tomorrow for the homecoming celebrations.' Large crowds are expected in central London on Tuesday when the Lionesses have a victory parade down The Mall in central London at midday. However, there will not be a Bank Holiday to celebrate their defence of the Euros title after No 10 rejected calls for a nationwide day off. The Football Association said it was expecting 'large crowds' for the 'very busy' victory parade. It will be followed by a ceremony in front of Buckingham Palace, in which the team will lift the Euros trophy. Music will be played during the ceremony by the Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines Portsmouth and the Central Band of the Royal Air Force. Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, said: 'The Lionesses' incredible win has done our country proud. Now we have the chance to cheer these heroes home at their homecoming parade.' Mark Bullingham, the chief executive of the FA, added: 'The victory celebration in London on Tuesday will give England fans an opportunity to celebrate with the players, and be part of history. 'We've had amazing support from our fans both in Switzerland and at home throughout the tournament, and we look forward to celebrating together and creating some lifelong memories.' At the airport on Monday, twins Poppy and Daisy Macdonald, 11, from Benfleet, Essex, were holding a sign asking for a photo with star striker Alessia Russo. Poppy said: 'We're so proud. They've won it two times in a row and they've worked so hard for it. They've had a lot of injuries and setbacks but they've done really well.' Daisy admitted she struggled to watch the penalty shoot-out, adding: 'I couldn't watch, I was very nervous, but very happy that they won.' The team were welcomed to a celebratory reception at Downing Street later on Monday, hosted by Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, and Stephanie Peacock, the sports minister. Earlier, captain Leah Williamson was seen smiling and holding the Euros trophy as the Lionesses left their hotel in Zurich and began their journey home in the rain. Other team members, wearing their medals, smiled as they high-fived supporters and signed autographs. They had partied late into the early hours of Monday morning, singing karaoke, drinking prosecco and cutting a cake. Beth Mead, the England striker, said most of the players did not make it to bed after celebrating their victory. A trip to Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle may be on the cards for the winning squad as it is understood possible plans for a reception in the autumn are being explored by royal aides. To celebrate the win, Royal Mail will mark the occasion with a congratulatory postmark, which will be applied to stamped mail across the UK from Monday to Friday. Fans can attend the homecoming celebrations in London for free, and they will be broadcast live on BBC, ITV, and Sky.
The Guardian
a day ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Lionesses greeted by jubilant England fans on return home after Euro 2025 victory
The Lionesses have been greeted by cheering crowds after landing in Southend airport on Monday, with fans eager to give the squad a triumphant homecoming after their Euro 2025 victory. The team landed back in the UK on Monday afternoon after defending their Euros title in a penalty shootout win over Spain in Basel, Switzerland, on Sunday. Many supporters had dressed for the Lionesses' return, wearing England kits and holding flags. They erupted into cheers at Southend airport in Essex as the plane approached the runway and again as the team emerged from the airport to walk along a red carpet waving at fans. The team's captain, Leah Williamson, led the squad out of the private terminal just before 5pm, carrying the European Championship trophy. Among the fans were the twins Poppy and Daisy Macdonald, 11, from Benfleet, Essex, who were holding a sign asking for a photo with the star striker Alessia Russo. Poppy said: 'We're so proud. They've won it two times in a row and they've worked so hard for it. They've had a lot of injuries and setbacks but they've done really well.' Daisy admitted she struggled to watch the penalty shootout, adding: 'I couldn't watch, I was very nervous, but very happy that they won.' In a post on X, the team shared a photo of the Euros trophy draped in an England flag on a seat on the plane. The team arrived for a celebratory reception at Downing Street, hosted by Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister, and Stephanie Peacock, the sports minister, just before 7pm. No 10 was decorated for the occasion, with St George's flags draped over windows and bunting along the railings. 'It was amazing, I just burst out crying just in pure emotion,' said one fan waiting outside the black gates in front of Downing Street. 'Just that little girl inside of me watching football when I was younger and seeing how far the game has grown since then, it all just kind of got to me.' Another fan waiting to get a peek of the team had only just come back from Switzerland to watch the team romp to a final. Izzy said seeing the players arrive at Downing Street was an opportunity that could not be missed. 'For me there wasn't really a doubt that they were going to win, but it was still really stressful,' said the 30-year-old, who asked not to share her surname, after calling in sick to work to celebrate the Lionesses' victory. As a former player herself, she travelled to London alone and is staying in the capital for Tuesday's open-top bus tour. She said the growth in support since the team's 2022 win was evident by having to queue online for tickets to watch Sunday's match at a London screening. 'That wouldn't have happened a few years ago,' she added. 'It's great to see everyone supporting them.' Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Despite some players being lined up for MBEs after the victory, and congratulations from Keir Starmer and King Charles, it is understood that Downing Street has no plans for a bank holiday to mark the Lionesses' triumph. 'If we had a bank holiday every time the Lionesses win, [we] would never go to work,' the PM's spokesperson said on Monday, as the prime minister met with Donald Trump, the US president, in Scotland. Earlier on Monday, Williamson was seen smiling and holding the Euros trophy as the team left their hotel in Zurich and began their journey home in the rain. Other team members, wearing their medals, smiled as they high-fived supporters waiting outside the building and signed autographs. On Tuesday the team will do an open-top bus procession along the Mall and a ceremony in front of Buckingham Palace. A trip to Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle may be on the cards for the winning squad in autumn as royal aides are understood to be exploring the possibility of a reception at a royal household.
Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Times
Lionesses land after Euro 2025 win ahead of London victory parade
With pizza, beer, a mascot dog, gleaming gold medals and their second Euros trophy in their arms, the victorious Lionesses partied through the night. Their medals hanging from their necks, the team left the field singing along to Dancing on My Own by Robyn, before returning with boxes full of pizza and cans of beer. The England squad touched down at Southend airport on Monday afternoon and headed straight to London for a reception at No 10. The victorious squad arrive in Southend RICHARD PELHAM/THE FA/GETTY IMAGES Sir Keir Starmer said the team had 'once again captured the hearts of the nation ', adding: 'Their victory is not only a remarkable sporting achievement, but an inspiration for young people across the country. It stands as a testament to the determination, resilience and unity that define this outstanding team.' The FA advised fans not to travel to the airport to meet the team but to wait for their homecoming parade through London on Tuesday. The team will celebrate with fans on an open-top bus along the Mall, culminating in a staged ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace. There were joyful scenes from Basel and in fan zones and pubs across the country on Sunday night as the Lionesses became the first England football team to win a major tournament on foreign soil. Chloe Kelly scored the winning spot-kick after two huge saves from the goalkeeper, Hannah Hampton, in the final against Spain. Videos from the Lionesses' accounts show the jubilant team running across the pitch and cheering as they roll around in gold and silver streamers and confetti. PHILIPP KRESNIK/SHEKICKS/SPP/ALAMY Ella Toone and Beth Mead shared an emotional moment as they paid tribute to their parents. Toone's father Nick was diagnosed with prostate cancer the day after the Lionesses won the Euros in 2022, and in September, making this the first international tournament she has contested without her father watching her. Ella Toone MOLLY DARLINGTON/UEFA/GETTY IMAGES Mead's mother died in 2023 after a long battle with ovarian cancer, and Toone has previously said how grateful she was to have a teammate who understood what she was going through. 'We did it for our angels in the sky,' she wrote. 'Forever with us and forever proud.' She added a photo of an empty seat in the stadium next to her mother, writing: 'If that's not a sign I don't know what is. I know you were there, Dad.' The shock revelation of the night came from Lucy Bronze, who admitted she had played the entire tournament on a fractured tibia. '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,' she said. 'If that's what it takes to play for England, that's what I'll do.' Asked at a press conference about their planned celebrations, Sarina Wiegman, the England head coach, replied: 'I'll do some more dancing. I'll have a drink but I don't think I'll drink as much as the players will do.' Lucy Bronze, centre, with her leg heavily bandaged EDDIE KEOGH/GETTY IMAGES Sure enough, the team's celebrations went on into the small hours. At 4.10am, they were still singing along to Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield. In a video on social media, the team could be seen cheering, raising a glass and dancing with Reggie, a cavapoo who belongs to Cheals on Wheels, a barista company that travelled with the team to the tournament. Lucy Bronze and Esme Morgan filmed themselves in a skit for Instagram, in which Bronze joked they had lost their first game 'so everyone underestimated us'. Morgan added: 'All part of the plan to bring it home again.' RICHARD PELHAM/THE FA/GETTY IMAGES Leah Williamson, the captain, shared a welcome postcard sent to her and the team by Lia Wälti, captain of the Swiss national team, on their arrival at the tournament.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Football comes home: Jubilant fans greet Lionesses on return to England
The Lionesses have returned to the UK after triumphing at the Euros, as hundreds of jubilant fans waited to greet the team. The team landed back in the country on Monday afternoon after defending their Euros title in a penalty shootout win over Spain in Basel, Switzerland, on Sunday. Supporters, many of whom were dressed in England kits and holding flags, cheered as they waited outside Southend Airport in Essex to greet the Lionesses. Among them were twins Poppy and Daisy Macdonald, 11, from Benfleet, Essex, who were holding a sign asking for a photo with star striker Alessia Russo. Poppy said: 'We're so proud. They've won it two times in a row and they've worked so hard for it. 'They've had a lot of injuries and setbacks but they've done really well.' Daisy admitted she struggled to watch the penalty shootout, adding: 'I couldn't watch, I was very nervous, but very happy that they won.' In a post on X, the team shared a photo of the Euros trophy draped in an England flag on a seat on the plane. The team will be welcomed to a celebratory reception at Downing Street later on Monday, hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock. Team captain Leah Williamson was seen smiling and holding the Euros trophy as the team left their hotel in Zurich and began their journey home in the rain. Other team members, wearing their medals, smiled as they high-fived supporters waiting outside the building and signed autographs. Lauren Hemp was seen carrying a Beauty and the Beast castle made out of Lego on her journey home. Other players have discussed hobbies outside of football which they have used to help unwind during the tournament, with star striker Michelle Agyemang revealing she had brought a piano with her to Switzerland. Tuesday will see the team enjoy an open-top bus procession along The Mall and a ceremony in front of Buckingham Palace. However, the Lionesses began their celebrations in Switzerland and can be seen cheering, raising a glass and dancing with Reggie, the dog, in a video posted on the team's official social media accounts. The team can be seen wearing their gold medals, chanting the white Cavapoo's name and waving his paw after the match. Reggie belongs to Cheals on Wheels, a barista company that travelled with the team to the tournament. Posting on Instagram, the company wrote that Reggie had 'gone international' and was 'soaking up all the love (and sneaky treats) from the team' in Switzerland. After the game, the King said the team had the royal family's 'warmest appreciation and admiration' in a post on X, adding: 'The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can'. A trip to Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle may be on the cards for the winning squad as it is understood possible plans for a reception in the autumn are being explored by royal aides. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed the team's triumph, saying the Lionesses had 'once again captured the hearts of the nation' and were 'an inspiration for young people across the country'. Alessia Russo gave the Lionesses hope of retaining their Euros title with her second-half equaliser after Mariona Caldentey netted the opener for Spain in the 25th minute. The Lionesses went on to triumph 3-1 on penalties. A picture of the Prince of Wales with his arm around his daughter Princess Charlotte was posted to X, with the caption 'champions of Europe'. At the presentation ceremony, William congratulated Agyemang on being named young player of the tournament, appearing to say 'well played, fantastic, well done' at the presentation ceremony. Agyemang, 19, who had one England cap before the tournament, scored crucial equalisers in the Lionesses' quarter-final and semi-final comebacks. A trip to Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle may be on the cards for the winning squad as it is understood possible On Monday, a mural at Russo's first grassroots club, Bearsted FC, was unveiled to mark the victory and celebrate National Lottery funding for the game. The red, white and blue image depicts the player alongside a St George's cross and a roaring lioness at the club in Maidstone, Kent. To celebrate the win, the Royal Mail will mark the occasion with a congratulatory postmark – which will be applied to stamped mail across the UK from Monday to Friday. Fans can attend the homecoming celebrations in London for free and it will be broadcast live on BBC, ITV, and Sky.
