Last night’s 4-0 victory over Sweden in the semi-final of EURO 2022, took England to their first major final since 2009. Goals from Beth Mead, Lucy Bronze, Alessia Ruso, and Fran Kirby were enough to send them into Sunday’s Final, where they will either meet France or Germany.
Manager, Sarina Wiegmann came into the job having won the 2017 European Championships with her home nation, the Netherlands, and it seems to have worked wonders, as the Lionesses remain unbeaten in her first 15 games.
The most impressive thing about this tournament is that Keeper, Mary Earps has kept four clean sheets out of England’s five games in this tournament.
When this happens, it shows that the shape of the team is solid, which then allows the midfield to push up and create opportunities to score.
Another thing that has helped England in this tournament is their team spirit, which was what impressed Wiegman the most.
“Again, the team found a way,” We were struggling a little by the way they played defensively but we did better and better. The players on the pitch found solutions. And when we scored it obviously helped a lot.”
Sarina Wiegmann: BBC Sport
Magnificent Mead Strikes Again
Arsenal’s Beth Mead is having the tournament of her life. with six goals and assists, it is clear that the 27-year-old winger is becoming a huge asset to England’s progression in this summer’s Euros.
“I think at the full-time whistle we didn’t really know what to do, but as you can tell it’s an unbelievable atmosphere and we’re excited to be in the final,”
Beth Mead: Express
Usually, when people think of stars of England football, they often refer to the male players, i.e Harry Kane and/or Raheem Sterling, etc. but as the WSL(Women’s Super League) becomes more and more popular, you get the likes of Lucy Bronze not just becoming an England star, but a star of world football as well.
No More Semi-Final Heartbreak
Post the Hope Powell era which ended in 2013, England’s nemesis in major tournaments had always been the semi-finals. Mark Sampson led them to a third-place finish in the 2015 World Cup, but other than that, they have not reached a major final in 38 years, when they lost to Sweden at Euro’84.
The 2019 World Cup under Phill Neville ended in another semi-final heartbreak, this time at the hands of Gill Elis and the United States, but Wiegman is eager to bring the Lionesses their first major trophy.
“They are singing, the music is on and dancing. We’re happy to make the final, we’ll have a little celebration then tomorrow, we will focus on the final. “We have confidence in this team, our players stay calm and stick with the plan. We spoke about scenarios and sometimes things go well and sometimes things don’t. We can count on each other and our task and then come back into the team.” We said we’re ready to write history and this is it.”
Sarina Wiegman: Sky Sports
France or Germany without any doubt will be a stern test for the Lionesses on Sunday. But Wiegman’s side has shown their potential to be ruthless in matches, which will be the key if they want to beat a highly talented French or German side.
Can England bring home their first major trophy and continue to inspire future female stars?
Find out on World in Sport.
