As Sarina Wiegman displays on Euro 2025, a smile spreads throughout her face.
“It is nonetheless unusual. Did this actually occur?” the usually-stoic England head coach admits. “To be trustworthy, it makes me actually emotional.
“These video games have been so insane in how they developed. It was totally different to the opposite tournaments we performed so I bought very emotional. It was so particular.”
Participant dropouts, harm doubts, an early defeat, comeback wins and penalty shoot-outs outlined England’s journey to turning into back-to-back champions of Europe.
Months later, Wiegman sat down with Sky Sports activities Information to present her account of essentially the most dramatic match win in trendy historical past. Recalling the build-up to the match, Wiegman stated ‘there was rather a lot happening’.
That is placing it mildly.
Mary Earps determined to retire after being relegated to second-choice ‘keeper. Fran Kirby did the identical after discovering out she wasn’t in Wiegman’s quick plans and former captain Millie Shiny opted to take a break as a substitute of going to Switzerland.
Add to that, 5 presumed starters have been doubts to make the match due to harm.
Lauren James, Georgia Stanway, Alex Greenwood, Lauren Hemp and Lucy Bronze all bust a intestine to get on the airplane, one thing Wiegman is immensely pleased with.
“We had 5 fairly massive accidents from gamers taking part in many minutes they usually labored very onerous to get again. It is very particular that every one 5 gamers made it,” she mirrored.
Gamers like Lauren James have been touch-and-go for Euro 2025
“A participant can get injured and never be out there. A participant can retire and never be out there. The reason being totally different, the result is similar – who’s the following particular person to step in?”
The issue with virtually half a beginning line-up coming again was that England have been undercooked going into the match and it confirmed of their defeat to France of their opening recreation.
Robust phrases have been stated, realities laid naked and modifications made to coaching. England felt low after shedding to one of many match favourites, however Wiegman wasn’t going to let it occur once more.
‘We did not take our penalties very nicely vs Sweden’
Each ounce of that dedication and perception within the squad was wanted within the quarter-final in opposition to Sweden.
“Increase – in half-hour we have been 2-0 down,” remembers Wiegman. “Okay, it is a recreation like this. We stated at half-time, ‘we are able to nonetheless change this recreation’.”
Chloe Kelly got here on to arrange targets for Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang to take the sport to penalties. Chaos ensued with 9 spot-kicks missed.
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England and Arsenal ahead Chloe Kelly displays on her highs and lows of 2025, rediscovering happiness on the pitch and delivering within the recreation’s greatest moments
“We took them not so nicely. I stated to Arjen [Veurink, former England assistant head coach] ‘wow’, or I stated one thing stronger like ‘we could also be on a airplane tomorrow’.”
Bronze, nevertheless, smashed house England’s winner to make it an evening to recollect in Zurich.
“I’ve by no means skilled a recreation like this however what bought us via is how this staff is related. We have been collectively in 2022 and 2023 however this staff took it to a brand new stage. There was loads of perception on this staff and the staff bonding gave us the additional edge.”
‘We knew we have been higher at penalties than Spain’
England wanted that togetherness within the semi-final to beat one other deficit to beat Italy in extra-time to achieve their third consecutive main match last.
Standing in Wiegman’s method was the nation that beat England within the 2023 World Cup last.
“Okay, we’re taking part in Spain. They’re the most effective in possession, it is good to observe, however they’ve some vulnerabilities we tried to take advantage of,” the Lionesses head coach stated when considering again to the sport plan.
All three of England’s knockout video games went to additional time and two went to penalties
Wiegman acknowledges England ‘struggled’ after Mariona Caldentey put the world champions in entrance. However they discovered momentum once more after the break and equalised via Alessia Russo’s header.
But once more, England took a large recreation to penalties. Individuals name shoot-outs a lottery – nevertheless it’s a cliché Wiegman knew did not apply to her aspect.
“We had a bonus, we knew that,” she stated. “They have been disenchanted to be in that place. We’ve expertise and we all know we are able to do it. We all know we’re higher at penalties than they’re.
“And we additionally had Hannah.”
‘I am so pleased with Hannah’
Hannah Hampton saved two penalties in opposition to Spain to assist England to the Euro 2025 title
When Hannah Hampton saved Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati’s penalty a realisation swept round St Jakob’s Park. England have been about to be European champions once more.
England would not have lifted the trophy with out their No 1. The Chelsea ‘keeper made massive saves all through the match, not simply within the shoot-outs. Her distribution additionally added a dimension to the Lionesses they’ve by no means had earlier than.
It is one thing much more outstanding given the highlight Hampton was underneath after Earps’ shock retirement. Hampton was additionally grieving after her grandfather handed away two days earlier than the competitors began.
“I am actually, actually pleased with her,” Wiegman says. “She was in nice type and in addition had private stuff to cope with earlier than the match. She did an excellent job, she’s unbelievable.”
‘Tuchel is aware of what he needs to do subsequent summer time’
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Sarina Wiegman joined Alex Scott on stage throughout England’s Euro 2025 homecoming celebrations to specific what it meant to her to assist the Lionesses to back-to-back titles
Hampton and the remainder of the squad celebrated onerous after the Euros win.
An evening to recollect in Zurich was adopted by a visit to Downing Avenue earlier than the celebrations in entrance Buckingham Palace.
“You see 70,000 individuals cheering for you, you inform your self ‘this isn’t actual. What’s occurring right here?'”, the Lionesses boss recalled.
Unexpectedly, we noticed a special aspect to the usually cool Dutchwoman through the occasion on The Mall. Wiegman, dwell on TV, danced and sung with Burna Boy a lot to the shock of everybody watching.
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England supervisor Sarina Wiegman danced together with her favorite artist Burna Boy as they have fun their Euros victory on the doorsteps of Buckingham Palace
“My daughters have been there however I did not know. Whereas we have been singing and dancing Georgia [Stanway] stated ‘your daughters are right here’ and I noticed them and ran over to them. It made me much more excited,” she stated. “You do not see very like that. I used to be actually having fun with myself.”
Wiemgan may even get pleasure from it if England’s males deliver house a serious trophy at this summer time’s World Cup in North America. She meets up with Thomas Tuchel now and again, however insists he would not want her steerage.
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Victorious England supervisor Sarina Wiegman mirrored on a ‘very particular’ day after the Lionesses visited Downing Avenue following their Euro 2025 triumph
“Oh he is aware of”, Wiegman joked. “We meet occasionally and he is very excited too. He is aware of precisely what he needs to do that summer time.”
He would not go fallacious with following Wiegman’s blueprint for achievement.
If 2025 has taught her something it is the way to cope with adversity, setbacks and chaos, and nonetheless find yourself with one other medal round her neck.
