My first article that I wrote for SpeakOut was about the heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Spain in the 2023 World Cup.
Spain had just missed out on an Olympic medal in 2024 but were the definite favourites for the European Championship this summer in Switzerland. The Spaniards eased through their group before beating the Swiss hosts 2-0 in the quarter finals and squeezing past a resolute Germany who had been down to ten women for most of the match. That set up a final with none other than… England.
England’s journey to retaining their title was anything but easy. They started their campaign by becoming the first defending champions to lose their first game after France beat them 2-1. Not exactly a smooth start! But they recovered to win 4-0 in a magnificent game against the Dutch and 6-1 against Wales. Phew- we were through to the knockouts!
We were fortunate to get the easier side of the draw on paper, but that still meant a quarter final fixture against Sweden. Fans will remember the fantastic 4-0 victory in the semi-final of the last Euros in 2022. The problem was, so did Sweden, and they were out for revenge. Down 2-0 at half time, England had to produce something magical. Lucy Bronze, who it turned out had played the entire tournament with a fractured tibia, and 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang, came to England’s rescue to equalize, whilst goalkeeper Hannah Hampton shone in the penalty shootout. Disaster averted!
The Lionesses’ semi-final opponents were none other than Italy. England were the huge favourites to win, having won 5-1 in their previous fixture. However, the Italians had come to play and were up 1-0 at half time. It took until the final few minutes of injury time, by which time even I must admit I thought we were going home, for Agyemang to score. England were awarded a penalty in the final few minutes of extra time and Chloe Kelly scored the rebound to take England through to their third major tournament final in a row.
So, into the final we went! We may have been the underdogs but we were after revenge- losing to the Spanish once again would be painful. Spain do normally score and so it was little surprise when Arsenal player Mariona Caldentey headed them into the lead. Other than that, our defense was resolute and Spain could not find another way to goal. Alessia Russo then scored the equaliser in the second half to bring the Lionesses back into the game. Extra time came and went and the final was to be decided on spot kicks. England’s usual penalty takers in Stanway, Russo and Bronze had all been subbed off- would we falter at the final hurdle?
NO WE WOULD NOT! Hampton saved penalties from Caldentey, and the player of the tournament and Ballon D’Or winner Aitana Bonmati. When Salma Paralluelo’s penalty kick went wide of the post, who stepped up for England? That’s right, Chloe Kelly. Who else? She was never going to miss. and England were once again crowned European Champions, becoming only the second team to win back-to-back European Championships.
When I went to watch England play Jamaica at King Power Stadium in their final match before the tournament, I was thrilled at how many people were wearing Lionesses’ shirts. It was particularly heartwarming to see young girls and boys getting excited about the match. Before 2022, you’d never have seen that. The Lionesses have done so much for women’s football and women’s sport in general. They have inspired a generation of female footballers and they have changed the conversation. May they continue to do so.
England 1-2 France
England 4-0 Netherlands
England 6-1 Wales
England 2-2 Sweden (3-2 on penalties)
England 2-1 Italy (after extra time)
England 1-1 Spain (3-1 on penalties)
My predictions were wrong, thankfully! I said we needed to be at our best to beat Spain. As it turned out, we did not. We were not at our best for the majority of the tournament, except our group games against the Netherlands and Wales. However, what we did show was grit, determination and the will to win. The English are never done!
Looking towards the World Cup in 2027, I think England will be strong contenders alongside the United States and Spain. I am looking forward to seeing how the European teams fare as we continue to improve in the women’s game as a continent. I think the US should be wary of arrogance if they want to lift the trophy in the next few tournaments.
