Latest news with #UWCLfinal
Leader Live
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Boss Renee Slegers reveals she predicted Arsenal's Champions League-winning goal
The Gunners remain the only English team to lift the trophy, doing so for a second time 18 years after they became the first as part of an historic quadruple-winning campaign. And it was a decision by the 36-year-old head coach that proved especially prescient as Blackstenius' fellow replacement Beth Mead provided the pinpoint pass to tee up the Sweden international. 'I was joking with Beth after the game, I was like, 'I told you, give the ball to Stina and she will score',' Slegers told DAZN. What it means 🏆🏆 — Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 24, 2025 'No, it's not that easy. You do everything you can, you make decisions all the time, players on the pitch and also on the sidelines, getting the timing right. 'All the credit to the players, how they've been dealing with this occasion has been superb.' Dutchwoman Slegers was a former assistant to ex-Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall, appointed to the top job on an interim basis when he and the club parted ways in October following a poor run of form. The Gunners have thrived under her, with multiple players crediting their young head coach throughout the campaign for helping them rediscover their love of the game. Renée Slegers, take a bow 👏#UWCL || #UWCLfinal — UEFA Women's Champions League (@UWCL) May 24, 2025 She has now paid off the club's faith in her, rewarding them with the silverware they have so long craved. On Saturday, at the home of Sporting Lisbon, Slegers' Arsenal showed incredible resilience, unfazed after a first-half Barcelona own goal was disallowed by VAR for offside, and resolute against waves of attack from the defending champions, who came close to opening the scoring when Claudia Pina clipped the crossbar shortly after the break. The Gunners held on to their advantage, fending off seven minutes of stoppage time before they could finally celebrate. Slegers' side eliminated the winners of the last nine combined Champions Leagues en route to this final, seeing off eight-time winners Lyon and now Barcelona, who have lifted the trophy in three of the last four seasons. Etched in history 🏆 — Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 24, 2025 The Gunners completed an impressive comeback over Lyon in the semi-finals after losing the first leg 2-1 at home, then beating the eight-time Champions League winners – and last season's runners-up – 4-1 in France to advance 5-3 on aggregate. Slegers added: 'I think Arsenal have always been leading the way since the start, and they have been working so hard as a club. But definitely you see things, this season, I think, in the team, and that's signs of a winning team. 'You struggle together, you suffer together, you find ways to win, and I think in the critical moments, in high-pressure moments, we've done that this season.'
Rhyl Journal
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Kim Little sure Arsenal Women's Champions League win will go down in history
The Gunners became the first English club to lift the trophy in 2007, which remained the only occasion an English team had done it until Saturday evening in Portugal, when Arsenal beat heavy favourites and defending champions Barca in blistering conditions after England forward Beth Mead teed up Sweden international and fellow second-half substitute Stina Blackstenius in the 74th minute. Scot Little began the first of her two spells at Arsenal the year after that 2007 campaign – in which the Gunners sealed an historic quadruple – and, now 34, the quietly-commanding leader has achieved an unprecedented personal feat. 'I'm not quite sure it's sunk in yet,' said Little. 'I'm not sure it's quite going through the players' minds yet, just because we're so in the moment, but to win a Champions League with Arsenal will definitely go down in history as one of the best moments this club has ever had. 'To think about that is incredible. I'm sure the days after this day we will reflect on that and really see that.' Unseating Barca, who defended their 2023 title last year, was a tremendous team effort, played out in front of a sold-out crowd at the home of Sporting Lisbon, a venue where the Gunners faithful – estimated to be just under 5,000 strong in the dedicated supporters' section – were dwarfed by an overwhelming majority backing the Liga F champions. But an excellent defensive display, after the early nerves had settled, boosted belief, and Renee Slegers' side were unfazed after a first-half own goal charged to Barcelona's Irene Paredes was disallowed by VAR. Renée Slegers, take a bow 👏#UWCL || #UWCLfinal — UEFA Women's Champions League (@UWCL) May 24, 2025 The 36-year-old head coach's decision to bring on Blackstenius and Mead in the 67th and 68th minutes respectively then inspired the Gunners to victory. 'We knew coming into this game that we basically had to be perfect,' added Little. 'It's very special for me. I've been at the club a very long time and we have had incredible periods where we have been successful. 'The club won it in 2007 and I signed the year after that. To still be at the club now and see how much it has done to progress the women's game and invest in us as players and as a club, it is truly special to be sitting here now today off the back of winning the ultimate trophy for club football and it is definitely the best moment of my career.' Slegers, previously an assistant, took charge in October on an interim basis before she was appointed permanent successor to Jonas Eidevall in January. CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CHAMPS BABYYYY 🏆 ❤️ — Beth Mead MBE (@bmeado9) May 24, 2025 'I'm so happy for everyone,' said the Dutch boss. 'Everything we have been asking for and all the months we've had and all the questions we've asked the players, that they got the reward today. 'The funny and the positive thing about everything, of course we're going to reflect, and take this all in, but I think there's even more in this team. 'That's almost the scary part of it, that we've achieved something enormous today, but there's even more to give in this team.'
North Wales Chronicle
25-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Kim Little sure Arsenal Women's Champions League win will go down in history
The Gunners became the first English club to lift the trophy in 2007, which remained the only occasion an English team had done it until Saturday evening in Portugal, when Arsenal beat heavy favourites and defending champions Barca in blistering conditions after England forward Beth Mead teed up Sweden international and fellow second-half substitute Stina Blackstenius in the 74th minute. Scot Little began the first of her two spells at Arsenal the year after that 2007 campaign – in which the Gunners sealed an historic quadruple – and, now 34, the quietly-commanding leader has achieved an unprecedented personal feat. 'I'm not quite sure it's sunk in yet,' said Little. 'I'm not sure it's quite going through the players' minds yet, just because we're so in the moment, but to win a Champions League with Arsenal will definitely go down in history as one of the best moments this club has ever had. 'To think about that is incredible. I'm sure the days after this day we will reflect on that and really see that.' Unseating Barca, who defended their 2023 title last year, was a tremendous team effort, played out in front of a sold-out crowd at the home of Sporting Lisbon, a venue where the Gunners faithful – estimated to be just under 5,000 strong in the dedicated supporters' section – were dwarfed by an overwhelming majority backing the Liga F champions. But an excellent defensive display, after the early nerves had settled, boosted belief, and Renee Slegers' side were unfazed after a first-half own goal charged to Barcelona's Irene Paredes was disallowed by VAR. Renée Slegers, take a bow 👏#UWCL || #UWCLfinal — UEFA Women's Champions League (@UWCL) May 24, 2025 The 36-year-old head coach's decision to bring on Blackstenius and Mead in the 67th and 68th minutes respectively then inspired the Gunners to victory. 'We knew coming into this game that we basically had to be perfect,' added Little. 'It's very special for me. I've been at the club a very long time and we have had incredible periods where we have been successful. 'The club won it in 2007 and I signed the year after that. To still be at the club now and see how much it has done to progress the women's game and invest in us as players and as a club, it is truly special to be sitting here now today off the back of winning the ultimate trophy for club football and it is definitely the best moment of my career.' Slegers, previously an assistant, took charge in October on an interim basis before she was appointed permanent successor to Jonas Eidevall in January. CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CHAMPS BABYYYY 🏆 ❤️ — Beth Mead MBE (@bmeado9) May 24, 2025 'I'm so happy for everyone,' said the Dutch boss. 'Everything we have been asking for and all the months we've had and all the questions we've asked the players, that they got the reward today. 'The funny and the positive thing about everything, of course we're going to reflect, and take this all in, but I think there's even more in this team. 'That's almost the scary part of it, that we've achieved something enormous today, but there's even more to give in this team.'
Leader Live
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Kim Little sure Arsenal Women's Champions League win will go down in history
The Gunners became the first English club to lift the trophy in 2007, which remained the only occasion an English team had done it until Saturday evening in Portugal, when Arsenal beat heavy favourites and defending champions Barca in blistering conditions after England forward Beth Mead teed up Sweden international and fellow second-half substitute Stina Blackstenius in the 74th minute. Scot Little began the first of her two spells at Arsenal the year after that 2007 campaign – in which the Gunners sealed an historic quadruple – and, now 34, the quietly-commanding leader has achieved an unprecedented personal feat. 'I'm not quite sure it's sunk in yet,' said Little. 'I'm not sure it's quite going through the players' minds yet, just because we're so in the moment, but to win a Champions League with Arsenal will definitely go down in history as one of the best moments this club has ever had. 'To think about that is incredible. I'm sure the days after this day we will reflect on that and really see that.' Unseating Barca, who defended their 2023 title last year, was a tremendous team effort, played out in front of a sold-out crowd at the home of Sporting Lisbon, a venue where the Gunners faithful – estimated to be just under 5,000 strong in the dedicated supporters' section – were dwarfed by an overwhelming majority backing the Liga F champions. But an excellent defensive display, after the early nerves had settled, boosted belief, and Renee Slegers' side were unfazed after a first-half own goal charged to Barcelona's Irene Paredes was disallowed by VAR. Renée Slegers, take a bow 👏#UWCL || #UWCLfinal — UEFA Women's Champions League (@UWCL) May 24, 2025 The 36-year-old head coach's decision to bring on Blackstenius and Mead in the 67th and 68th minutes respectively then inspired the Gunners to victory. 'We knew coming into this game that we basically had to be perfect,' added Little. 'It's very special for me. I've been at the club a very long time and we have had incredible periods where we have been successful. 'The club won it in 2007 and I signed the year after that. To still be at the club now and see how much it has done to progress the women's game and invest in us as players and as a club, it is truly special to be sitting here now today off the back of winning the ultimate trophy for club football and it is definitely the best moment of my career.' Slegers, previously an assistant, took charge in October on an interim basis before she was appointed permanent successor to Jonas Eidevall in January. CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CHAMPS BABYYYY 🏆 ❤️ — Beth Mead MBE (@bmeado9) May 24, 2025 'I'm so happy for everyone,' said the Dutch boss. 'Everything we have been asking for and all the months we've had and all the questions we've asked the players, that they got the reward today. 'The funny and the positive thing about everything, of course we're going to reflect, and take this all in, but I think there's even more in this team. 'That's almost the scary part of it, that we've achieved something enormous today, but there's even more to give in this team.'
North Wales Chronicle
24-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Boss Renee Slegers reveals she predicted Arsenal's Champions League-winning goal
The Gunners remain the only English team to lift the trophy, doing so for a second time 18 years after they became the first as part of an historic quadruple-winning campaign. And it was a decision by the 36-year-old head coach that proved especially prescient as Blackstenius' fellow replacement Beth Mead provided the pinpoint pass to tee up the Sweden international. 'I was joking with Beth after the game, I was like, 'I told you, give the ball to Stina and she will score',' Slegers told DAZN. What it means 🏆🏆 — Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 24, 2025 'No, it's not that easy. You do everything you can, you make decisions all the time, players on the pitch and also on the sidelines, getting the timing right. 'All the credit to the players, how they've been dealing with this occasion has been superb.' Dutchwoman Slegers was a former assistant to ex-Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall, appointed to the top job on an interim basis when he and the club parted ways in October following a poor run of form. The Gunners have thrived under her, with multiple players crediting their young head coach throughout the campaign for helping them rediscover their love of the game. Renée Slegers, take a bow 👏#UWCL || #UWCLfinal — UEFA Women's Champions League (@UWCL) May 24, 2025 She has now paid off the club's faith in her, rewarding them with the silverware they have so long craved. On Saturday, at the home of Sporting Lisbon, Slegers' Arsenal showed incredible resilience, unfazed after a first-half Barcelona own goal was disallowed by VAR for offside, and resolute against waves of attack from the defending champions, who came close to opening the scoring when Claudia Pina clipped the crossbar shortly after the break. The Gunners held on to their advantage, fending off seven minutes of stoppage time before they could finally celebrate. Slegers' side eliminated the winners of the last nine combined Champions Leagues en route to this final, seeing off eight-time winners Lyon and now Barcelona, who have lifted the trophy in three of the last four seasons. Etched in history 🏆 — Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 24, 2025 The Gunners completed an impressive comeback over Lyon in the semi-finals after losing the first leg 2-1 at home, then beating the eight-time Champions League winners – and last season's runners-up – 4-1 in France to advance 5-3 on aggregate. Slegers added: 'I think Arsenal have always been leading the way since the start, and they have been working so hard as a club. But definitely you see things, this season, I think, in the team, and that's signs of a winning team. 'You struggle together, you suffer together, you find ways to win, and I think in the critical moments, in high-pressure moments, we've done that this season.'
