July 28 – England manager Sarina Wiegman hailed Euro 2025 as “the most chaotic tournament” ever following the Lionesses’ dramatic title defence in a penalty shootout against Spain.
Sunday’s final could not have been more suspenseful, but once again, England defied logic and overcame adversity to retain the European crown. They drew 1-1, coming from behind before triumphing 3-1 in the penalty shootout.
After Chloe Kelly’s decisive spot kick, Wiegman, ever calm on the touchline, broke into a dance to celebrate England’s historic achievement. The Lionesses are the first England side to win back-to-back major tournaments and the first England team to win a major finals on foreign soil. They are also the first nation to win back-to-back tournaments after Germany, who won eight of the first 13 editions of the women’s Euros and six consecutively from 1995 to 2013.
“This has been the most chaotic tournament, from the first game there was chaos…turns out we love football chaos!” said Wiegman.
The Dutch manager won her third consecutive European championship after leading the Netherlands to glory on home soil in 2017. It was also her fifth consecutive major tournament final.
Her motivational speech before the final was simple: “The main message was to enjoy it.”
For much of the final, England were on the back foot against a superior Spain, who were uncharacteristically wasteful in front of goal. Perhaps, the best team didn’t win the tournament, but England’s victory, after all the great escapes in the knockout stages, almost seemed pre-ordained.
Wiegman pointed to her side’s mental fortitude. “We said it a couple of times, the players said ‘proper England’. Today we also had to defend very well. They were challenging us. But you see how we give everything to defend the goal. I do enjoy that, because that says something about the team and the togetherness and the will to really want to win.”
She also had praise for Hannah Hampton, who with two penalty saves again proved crucial to England’s fortunes. That was vindication for Wiegman who picked her over Mary Earps.
“Every player has their one story and journey and hers has been incredible,” said Wiegman. “Starting the tournament and losing the first game, there was so much riding on every game, we had five finals. She had to step up and I think she has been amazing. It’s a little bit like a fairy tale to stop those two penalties in the final.”
England will celebrate their Euro 2025 victory with an open bus parade in central London and a visit to Downing Street.
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