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South Wales Guardian
4 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Italy overcome Wales in thrilling Summer Series contest
Cheli's third score proved to be the difference during an absorbing encounter in which Italy took the lead four times in Caerphilly. It was a game that neither team deserved to lose, but ultimately Wales came up just short despite bagging four tries of their own. The two sides were quick out of the blocks as they both looked to assert themselves over the other during the opening exchanges. The results from the final day of #U6NSummerSeries action 🤩 Wales were then able to up the ante and enjoyed success down the left wing with Nia Fajeyisan in particular causing Italy problems with her speed and athleticism. But it was Italy who broke the deadlock after 18 minutes through talismanic captain Elena Errichiello. The No. 8 has been a constant spark for her side during this Women's Summer Series, and she was able to cross over following a strong showing from her forwards near Wales' tryline. Lavinia Pratichetti ensured the extra two points, but the competition hosts rallied after falling behind. Molly Wakely breached the Italian backline on 25 minutes, capping off a period of Welsh pressure to get them on the scoreboard, and the side led by Branwen Metcalfe took the lead 10 minutes later when the dangerous Savannah Picton-Powell skilfully scored. Italy hit back after the break and took advantage of a Welsh lineout error five metres from their line. The throw went long from the touchline and Cheli capitalised to drive over. Pratichetti was clinical from the tee once again as Italy found themselves leading 14-12. But the game continued to unfold in a pendulum-like fashion as four minutes later, Wales retook the lead. A blistering move got the home side within touching distance of the Italian tryline down the right, but when it became obvious the left side would prove fruitful, the ball was worked brilliantly out wide, and Seren Singleton was on hand to finish the move off. Italy's physical prowess has been a strength of theirs through this Women's Summer Series and Cheli was able to score a virtually identical second try to her first – burrowing over off the back of a ruck – to hand back the initiative to the team in blue. Much like a heavyweight slugfest, both teams continued to trade blows, and Chiara Pearce landed the next telling shot, dotting down to edge Wales back in front for a third time. However, Cheli's third close-range try with six minutes to go, and Pratichetti 100% conversion record, proved decisive in one of the games of the competition. Discover the future of international rugby at the 2025 Women's Summer Series – where rising stars shine. Follow the action live at and on Instagram @u20sixnations.
The Star
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Wales' most-cappted keeper Hennessey retires at 38
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - International Friendly - Wales v Czech Republic - Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, Britain - March 29, 2022 Wales' Wayne Hennessey reacts REUTERS/Rebecca Naden/File photo (Reuters) -Wayne Hennessey, the most-capped goalkeeper in Wales history, retired at the age of 38 after representing his country in 109 matches, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) said on Wednesday. Hennessey made over 100 league appearances each for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace, reaching the FA Cup final in 2016 with the latter. He was at Nottingham Forest last season but did not make an appearance. The Bangor-born player was part of the Wales squad that reached the semi-finals of the Euros in 2016, also appearing in the 2022 World Cup. He last played for Wales in November 2023 in a friendly against Gibraltar. 'I have decided to bring my playing career to an end, I look back with gratitude and forward with optimism as I take the next steps on my footballing journey," Hennessey said in a statement. (Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
San Francisco Chronicle
15-07-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
By the numbers: Records fall and fans dance at Euro 2025 in Switzerland
ZURICH (AP) — Women's soccer is continuing to grow and this time it is Switzerland which is highlighting that trend. The Women's European Championship is being played in the picturesque, Alpine country and it has become a festival of color, with fans dancing in the streets as well as the stands. 8 How many teams remain: Spain, England, Germany, France, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway and Italy. 89 The number of goals scored in the group stage, surpassing the previous record of 78 set in 2022. Only seven goals would have to be scored to better the all-time mark of 95, also set in 2022. 4 The number of red cards that were shown, beating the record of three brandished in the 2017 group stage. Germany's Carlotta Wamser, Norway's Marit Lund, Iceland's Hildur Antonsdóttir and Portugal's Ana Borges were the players dismissed. 38 years, 176 days Jess Fishlock became the oldest goalscorer at the Women's Euros when she netted Wales' first-ever goal at the tournament in its 4-1 loss to France. 22 The number of group stage matches that were sold out. 461,582 Almost half a million people attended the group stage matches, breaking the mark of 357,993 set in England at Euro 2022. Among other records to fall were the highest attendance at a group stage match not involving the host nation (34,165 at Germany vs. Denmark) and the most fans at a Switzerland women's national team match (34,063 against Norway in Basel). 1 Aleksander Ceferin, the president of European soccer's governing body UEFA, has attended just one match — Switzerland's opening game against Norway. 14,000 The number of supporters taking part in the lively fan walk — that was mainly a sea of red — to the Stadion Wankdorf ahead of Switzerland vs. Iceland. In total, around 60,000 people took part in the colorful fan walks before some of the matches in Switzerland. 4.5 million The peak audience on British broadcaster ITV for England's 6-1 win over Wales. That match and France's against the Netherlands was directly competing with the Club World Cup final between an English and French team — Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. Euro 2025 won by far in the United Kingdom, with around 1.2 million viewers tuning into the Club World Cup final on Channel 5. However, 4.8 million viewers in France watched PSG's loss compared to the 2.3 million people who watched France beat the Netherlands. ___
Winnipeg Free Press
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
By the numbers: Records fall and fans dance at Euro 2025 in Switzerland
ZURICH (AP) — Women's soccer is continuing to grow and this time it is Switzerland which is highlighting that trend. The Women's European Championship is being played in the picturesque, Alpine country and it has become a festival of color, with fans dancing in the streets as well as the stands. Records are tumbling on and off the pitch and are expected to continue to do so until the final on July 27 in Basel. Here's a look at some of the numbers after the 24 matches of the group stage: 8 How many teams remain: Spain, England, Germany, France, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway and Italy. 89 The number of goals scored in the group stage, surpassing the previous record of 78 set in 2022. Only seven goals would have to be scored to better the all-time mark of 95, also set in 2022. 4 The number of red cards that were shown, beating the record of three brandished in the 2017 group stage. Germany's Carlotta Wamser, Norway's Marit Lund, Iceland's Hildur Antonsdóttir and Portugal's Ana Borges were the players dismissed. 38 years, 176 days Jess Fishlock became the oldest goalscorer at the Women's Euros when she netted Wales' first-ever goal at the tournament in its 4-1 loss to France. 22 The number of group stage matches that were sold out. 461,582 Almost half a million people attended the group stage matches, breaking the mark of 357,993 set in England at Euro 2022. Among other records to fall were the highest attendance at a group stage match not involving the host nation (34,165 at Germany vs. Denmark) and the most fans at a Switzerland women's national team match (34,063 against Norway in Basel). 1 Aleksander Ceferin, the president of European soccer's governing body UEFA, has attended just one match — Switzerland's opening game against Norway. 14,000 Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. The number of supporters taking part in the lively fan walk — that was mainly a sea of red — to the Stadion Wankdorf ahead of Switzerland vs. Iceland. In total, around 60,000 people took part in the colorful fan walks before some of the matches in Switzerland. 4.5 million The peak audience on British broadcaster ITV for England's 6-1 win over Wales. That match and France's against the Netherlands was directly competing with the Club World Cup final between an English and French team — Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. Euro 2025 won by far in the United Kingdom, with around 1.2 million viewers tuning into the Club World Cup final on Channel 5. However, 4.8 million viewers in France watched PSG's loss compared to the 2.3 million people who watched France beat the Netherlands. ___ AP soccer:
Observer
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Observer
England blank Wales 6-1 to qualify into Euro quarters
ST. GALLEN, Switzerland: Reigning champions England thrashed neighbours Wales 6-1 to reach the Women's Euro 2025 quarterfinals on Sunday, securing second spot in Group D and cruising into the knockouts, where they will face Sweden, on a high note. Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo, Beth Mead and Aggie Beever-Jones were all on target for England, who finished runners-up to France after their 5-2 victory over the Netherlands. Sarina Wiegman's team will next face a Sweden side, who won all three of their games to top Group C, in the quarterfinals on Thursday. "It is going to be a difficult game. We watched (Sweden) the other night and they were really good. We need to be on our best game," Toone said. "But we're feeling confident, I think they should be scared." The second-place finish, however, could be a bonus as provided they get past the Swedes, England would potentially avoid world champions Spain in the semifinals. Stanway struck from the penalty spot in the 13th minute after a foul in the box, calmly sweeping her shot into the far-left corner past the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Olivia Clark to open the floodgates. Toone found the back of the net with a scrappy goal eight minutes later. England capitalised on a sloppy clearance by Rhiannon Roberts, with the ball falling to Russo who nudged it into the path of Toone who fired home at the second attempt. Hemp nodded a third inside 30 minutes after a clever pass from Lauren James to Toone near the byline. Toone found Hemp at the far post with a deep cross for an easy header. Russo bagged her first goal of the tournament just before halftime when Toone made another dart to byline before cutting the ball back for Russo, who took one touch to control it before firing home and Mead cut inside a defender before slotting England's fifth in the 72nd minute. Hannah Cain pulled one back to the delight of the Wales fans, who celebrated by singing their national anthem, in the 76th minute, but England's Beever-Jones replied in the 89th with her first goal in a major tournament, heading home Mead's cross. "We scored six goals and a big part of the game we dominated, a very good game," Wiegman said. "Playing well is the most important, who scores is not that important." Much was made about the rivalry between the two nations, with Wales wanting nothing better than to spoil England's party. Thousands of loud Welsh fans cheered and sang throughout Sunday's match, despite the scoreline. But Wiegman's team, World Cup finalists in 2023, showed their vast experience against a Wales side making their major tournament debut. "We were really good. It is always hard to play against a team that sits in a low block," Toone said. "It was nice we got an early goal in the first half and we enjoyed the game." England have won 10 of the 11 meetings between the two teams, with Wales' best result being a 0-0 draw in 2018. "This is the beginning of a journey for us," Wales midfielder Jess Fishlock said. "We've played three of the best teams in the world at this tournament and we've found out how big that jump is." — Reuters
