Latest news with #UEFAWomen'sEuro2022
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Will there be a Bank Holiday if England win the Women's Euros 2025?
FOOTY fans are dreaming of an extra day off this summer as the Lionesses battle for Euro glory – but will we actually get a bank holiday if England bring it home? With our women's team facing 2 Calls are getting louder for women's football achievements to be celebrated Credit: Getty Downing Street has made it clear there are no plans for a bank holiday if But with mounting public pressure and the petition gaining traction, things could still change if football really does come home. LIVE - Follow all the action from the Women's Euros 2025 as it happens! What Downing Street has said No extra day off is on the cards right now, football fans. Read more on Euros 2025 England 's women triumph in Euro 2025. When pressed about the possibility of giving the nation a day to celebrate if the Lionesses lift the trophy, Downing Street remained firm in their stance. The PM's team didn't completely rule it out, but made it clear it's not currently on the government's agenda. This will come as disappointing news to many hoping to toast a potential victory with a lie-in the next day. Most read in Football Growing calls for a celebration day Despite the government's position, demands for a national day off are ramping up. The Prime Minister is Women's football news website SheKicks RTE pundit offers optimistic view on growth of women's football amid Euros kick-off The campaign is gaining momentum as more fans back the idea of a proper nationwide celebration. After all, if football's coming home, shouldn't we all be at home to celebrate it? What happened last time? When the Lionesses Despite the historic victory, the then-government didn't grant a bank holiday, leaving many fans disappointed that they couldn't properly nurse their celebration hangovers. This time around, supporters are hoping for a different outcome, especially with calls getting louder for women's football achievements to be celebrated with the same enthusiasm as the men's game. How bank holidays work Getting an extra bank holiday isn't as simple as the PM waving a magic wand. Bank holidays in the UK are either set by law or declared by royal proclamation, meaning there's a proper process involved before we can all enjoy a day off. For a special one-off event like a sporting triumph, the government would need to make arrangements fairly quickly, which explains why they're not making promises they might not be able to keep. Planning for businesses and public services would be tight, but not impossible, if our Lionesses do make it all the way. 2 England's women's soccer team celebrated a win at the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 Credit: AP What fans can do Want that extra day off? You might need to make your voice heard. The Football fans can also contact their MPs or share their thoughts on social media to add to the growing chorus calling for a proper celebration if England lift the trophy. ENGLAND VS SPAIN LIVE - LATEST UPDATES And if all else fails? It might be worth booking that annual leave now, just in case – you can always cancel it if the bank holiday does materialise or if our Lionesses don't bring it home this time. The final decision will likely come down to the wire, much like the tournament itself. So while you might want to keep that Monday free just in case, don't make any non-refundable plans for a long weekend just yet. Either way, our Lionesses deserve the nation's full support as they battle for European glory – bank holiday or not!
Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
England boss Sarina Wiegman's huge personal sacrifice for family in UK
Sarina Wiegman made the move to the UK from her native Netherlands back in 2020, when she was appointed as England Women's football manager England is at full strength ahead of their Italy showdown this evening as the Lionesses aim to reach another European Championship final. Captain Leah Williamson will be fit for tonight's game and Jess Carter is "ready to perform" after the defender revealed she had been the target of racist abuse. But one of England 's key figures won't be on the pitch - she'll be watching from the sidelines. Manager Sarina Wiegman is credited as the driving force behind the national women's team success over recent years. During her five-year reign, Sarina has led the Lionesses to victory at UEFA Women's Euro 2022 and reached the FIFA Women's World Cup Final in 2023. But her many professional victories haven't come without personal sacrifice. Sarina took the reins as the England Women's football manager in 2020, amidst the global lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially contemplating a commute from her residence in The Hague, Netherlands, she soon recognised the necessity to move to the UK for her position. She relocated alongside her spouse, Marten Glotzbach, also a German football coach, and their offspring, Sacha and Lauren, embracing English culture wholeheartedly. As per The Guardian, Sarina expressed: "Although the countries are really close together there are some differences in culture, so I really tried to learn. I took some English classes in football. "I said [to the FA that] I will learn about your culture and try and adapt to your culture, but the directness you have to know... I will not go around it or change that. The other things, I will try to adapt to. I think it went really well and we've really enjoyed ourselves, I think we can still grow a lot." During the 2022 Euros, she even confessed to adopting the British habit of adding milk to her tea and sampling the national favourite, fish and chips, as part of her integration efforts. While Sarina generally maintains privacy regarding her family life, she did offer a rare peek into her personal moments in December 2020. A charming festive photograph showed Sarina, Marten, and their daughters cosily gathered around the Christmas tree, with their cherished dog also making an appearance in the heartwarming image! England, fifth in the world, are eight places higher in FIFA's global rankings than tonight's semi-final opponents, and are unbeaten in all five of their recent meetings with Italy – all friendlies – with four wins, including last year's 5-1 victory. But though statistics may be on the defending champions' side, Sarina said: "I think it would be really disrespectful to Italy to think that we're the favourites. "Complacency is just the biggest mistake you could make. We've seen how they've played. I don't think there's anything that we could think that we might be the favourite, but we have to be at our very, very best to win the game."
Daily Mirror
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
ITV stars share Euros fear for Lionesses
As England's Lionesses prepare to defend their UEFA Euros championship win, ITV football hosts Seema Jaswal and Laura Woods predict highs and lows England's Lionesses kick off a 'roarsome' defence of their UEFA Women's Euro 2022 championship win this week, with Laura Woods and Seema Jaswal hosting their first match for ITV. Sarina Wiegman 's side has drawn group D and take on France in their first fixture at Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland on Saturday 5th July. Captained by Leah Williamson, the 23-strong squad includes Lucy Bronze, Jess Park, Lauren James, Beth Mead, Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly and Georgia Stanway. However, Laura fears the team could struggle after the retirement of two team stalwarts and the withdrawal of a third player, saying, 'I'm slightly worried with Millie Bright, Fran Kirby and Mary Earps all dropping out.' Seema is more optimistic, and reckons the new blood in the team will plug any gaps. She says, 'There is a real opportunity for some of the new players in the squad, like Grace Clinton, Jess Park and Michelle Agyemang, to make their mark and shine as the world watches them in Switzerland this summer.' Laura Woods What are you most looking forward to about the Women's UEFA Euro 2025 Laura? It's very competitive this year and I'm looking forward to England defending their crown. Hopefully they can go all of the way. Who do you think is going to win the tournament and why? It will be between England, Germany and Spain. When Spain gets into tournament football they can be a real juggernaut, so my money is on Spain. They have two Ballon d'Or winners and the WSL Player of the Season, so unfortunately for England it might be Spain. How do you think England and Wales will do? If we finish top of the group I think we have a strong chance of going all the way. Without Millie Bright in the team you lose such a huge leader but you have Leah Williamson in there, Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp who is coming back into form. Wales have got it tough, and if they get out of the group, that would be a great achievement for them. Who do you think will be the standout stars? Spain has got three or four standout stars, but Aitana Bonmatí is at the top for me. Lauren James is also a brilliant player and one of my favourites. I think she could have a really good tournament. What are you most looking forward to about the Women's Euro 2025 Seema? The incredible atmosphere and that feeling of unity when thousands of voices rise together in celebration of the game we love. It's about pride, progress and passion. Watching these phenomenal women own the pitch, inspire the next generation and show the world what they're made of – that's everything. It's history in the making. Who do you think will win? It's hard to look past Spain and England. Spain are such a threat. With players like Bonmati and Paralluelo in the mix, they have a real blend of experience and emerging talent. As for our Lionesses, they're the defending champions, they have experience of reaching the latter stages of tournaments and they've learnt to win in different ways. How do you think England will do? I think they will do really well. Sarina Wiegman is the first coach to win the Euros with two different teams and is hoping to win three European Championships in a row. She will have her players prepared and ready for what's to come. England has been drawn in a tough group, facing the Netherlands, France and Wales, so it's going to be a real challenge, but they've experienced the highs and lows of tournament football and nothing can phase them. Who are your standouts? Spain's Bonmati, Claudia Pina and Paralluelo will have a huge impact. Lauren James is England's X Factor and I am thrilled that she is fit for the Euros, after being sidelined through injury. She is a game changer and I look forward to watching her. Stina Blackstenius will arrive full of confidence, and is always one to watch for Sweden.
Forbes
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
UK Pubs To Open Until 1am If England Reach Semi-Finals Of Women's Euro
SANTA ANA, CA - JULY 02: Gywn Tye, left, and Mary Ann Henry, high five when a call goes the ... More while watching the U.S. vs. England in the Women's World Cup semifinal match at The Olde Ship British Pub and Restaurant in Santa Ana on Tuesday, July 2, 2019. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images) The Home Office has decided that pubs in the United Kingdom can remain open until 1am if England or Wales reach the semi-finals or final of UEFA Women's Euro 2025. After a consultation of the hospitality industry, the United Kingdom Home Office has confirmed that pubs in the country can stay open for two hours beyond their normal hours should either of the home nations reach the latter stages of the tournament to be played in Switzerland in July. The semi-finals are due to be played on July 22 and 23 (2000 BST) with the final on July 27. If neither England or Wales are involved, then normal opening hours will apply. TOPSHOT - England's midfielder Leah Williamson (C) and England's defender Millie Bright (R) lift the ... More trophy as England's players celebrate after their win in the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 final football match between England and Germany at the Wembley stadium, in London, on July 31, 2022. England won a major women's tournament for the first time as Chloe Kelly's extra-time goal secured a 2-1 victory over Germany at a sold out Wembley on Sunday. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) / No use as moving pictures or quasi-video streaming. Photos must therefore be posted with an interval of at least 20 seconds. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images) The England women's national team are the defending champions and have reached the semi-finals of the last five major world and European tournaments in which they have played. They have however been drawn in a tough first round group alongside the Netherlands, France and Wales. The Welsh will be playing in their first senior international women's tournament and for them to progress, they will have to cause a major upset. They nevertheless could be inspired by their men's team who reached the semi-finals of their first European Championship nine years in France. Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said 'nothing quite brings people together like watching our national football teams. We want fans to enjoy every minute of these matches." "We will extend licensing hours should either team progress through the tournament, to allow supporters to watch and celebrate together for longer. I want to wish the best of luck to both teams and let's hope for some more memorable nights this summer.' A similar automatic extention applied last summer when the men's national team played in the semi-final and final of the men's Euro. The fact that it is now also being utilised for the women's tournament illustrates the growing economic power of the game created by a burgeoning fan culture. Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, said the decision was 'a positive and progressive move that recognises the growing popularity of women's football and its cultural significance across the UK.' 'Much like previous extensions for national celebrations, this decision will give communities the opportunity to come together and celebrate in a safe and responsible way, while also providing a welcome boost to the night-time economy.' 'It represents a valuable opportunity for hospitality businesses to maximise trade during a major event – particularly important in today's extremely challenging economic climate.' British Beer and Pub Association chief executive Emma McClarkin added that "the pub is the home of live sport. Our sector plays a huge part in boosting community spirit and extending licensing hours means people can gather for longer and host even more events that cheer on our squads."
