Women’s Euro 2025

GIRLS are aloud and making us proud!

OK, no more nostalgia about 1990s ‘Girl Power,’ but the times they are a-changing and then some.

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The Red Roses blossomed last weekend as the England women’s rugby team won the World Cup in front of a record 82,000 Twickenham full-house.

That came hot on the heels of our Lionesses’ back-to-back European Championships successes and proves that women’s sport is here to stay.

Rewind two or three decades and women, when mentioned in the same breath as football, was something approaching a dirty word. Just look at the history books.

In 1921 there were over 150 women’s football clubs playing games in front of 40,000-plus gates.

So what did the FA do? They banned it, saying it was “unsuitable for females.”

It only took nearly five decades for the FA to change their minds and growth in the women’s game in the 70s and 80s was slow.

In fact, the national team had to wait until 1998 to have its first full time coach, Hope Powell.

The 2012 London Olympics handed the women’s game a massive boost. TeamGB were watched by over 70,000 at Wembley against Brazil and footie for females was finally freed.

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Last year, an FA study revealed a 56 percent rise in the number of women and girls playing football in the previous four years.

The number of registered female football clubs has more than doubled in the last seven years and just look at crowds in the WSL.

Seven seasons ago the highest gate at any game was 2,648 for Chelsea against Manchester City. Last season it was nearly 57,000 for the North London derby.

A new sponsorship deal with Barclays is worth £15million a year and WSL clubs’ revenues soared 34 percent in 2023-24 alone. So from the grassroots all the way up, women’s football is on the up.

Thankfully, that kind of progress is being repeated in other sports and not just rugby, where there has been significant growth in recent years to the tune of a 60 percent rise in registered players since 2017.

What about cricket? Our girls took a pasting against the Aussies, but the World Cup is upon us with England aiming for a fifth title.

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In other sports, women do us proud. From netball’s Jade Clarke to tennis star Emma Raducanu, to athlete Keely Hodgkinson and world champion boxer Lauren Price… the list is long and shows just how women are flourishing.

Having said that, I was stunned to read that middle-distance runner Georgia Hunter Bell still worked full-time in tech sales just a few months before winning a bronze at last year’s Paris Olympics.

I cannot imagine a male elite athlete doing the same.

Georgia won silver at the World Championships last month and hopefully being a 24-7 athlete will help her go one better next time.

I’m obviously aware of the lack of female representation in the corridors of power within football and other sports, but I hope that is slowly changing.

Both the FA and PL chairs are women — Debbie Hewitt and Alison Brittain — and are doing a fine job.

Right now, though, I’d rather concentrate on the progress that has been made in a relatively short time.

The WSL is in rude health and will get bigger and better, underlining the fact that we, as a nation, are leading the way in the men’s and women’s game.

We should celebrate that because ‘girls just wanna have fun’.

Chloe Kelly has spoken out about what she would like to do following her major football victory and could be following in the footsteps of former Lioness Jill Scott

Chloe Kelly has revealed her hopes for a big career move following her England win. The Lioness, 27, brought it home for England when she scored the winning spot-kick following two huge saves from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, in what became a historic victory for the women’s national team.

The sports star made an appearance on ITV’s This Morning on Thursday where she joined hosts Dermot O’Leary and Rochelle Humes to discuss her achievements and career so far, alongside a group of aspiring young footballers. When one of the children asked Chloe what she would be doing if she was not a footballer, she admitted that she has a wish to carve our a career in the world of sports media. At first, she said: “If I weren’t a footballer, what would by job me? I’m not too sure, I’ve never really thought about it,” before adding: “I enjoy the media, so hopefully I could be interviewing another footballer maybe? And I’d definitely be in the stadium with the fans.”

If Chloe were to start up a career in the media, she would be following in the foosteps of Jill Scott, who captained England in 2021, and then went onto win I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here the following year. She is now a regular pundit across both men and women’s matches, captains the team on sports-comedy series A League Of Their Own, and has occasionally appeared as a panellist on Loose Women. It comes just days after Jill herself delivered her verdict on the England team shortly before they enjoyed their Euros success.

READ MORE: Chloe Kelly issues apology for Lionesses victory parade incident – ‘Emotions got better of me’READ MORE: England’s Euro 2025 winners to lose major chunk of prize money after return home

Meanwhile, Chloe was also asked about how she manages to stay so calm during intense moments in the match, and she admitted: “I’m more nervous sitting here than taking a penalty, actually! I stay calm by just sticking to my process.

She added: “I train that process a lot. I breathe, I take my breath and I either score or I miss, and that’s the worst that can happen. That’s the way I see it, it’s just me against the goalkeeper so I’m very relaxed.”

Establishing herself as an England legend in the showpiece event, Chloe confidently dispatched her penalty past Spain’s Cata Coll to secure victory. BBC Sports commentator Vicki Sparks captured the moment perfectly: “This is it, this is the moment for Chloe Kelly. Can she be England’s heroine? Chloe Kelly… yes she can!”

Kelly rose to the occasion magnificently, rescuing England from perilous situations on three separate occasions. Teaming up with emerging talent Michelle Agyemang, the duo rekindled the country’s belief in achieving a magnificent triumph that delivered a “proper English performance” culminating in continental success.

Following the trophy presentation, Chloe was heard declaring: “The first time was so nice, we had to do it twice.” Yet beyond the football field, she remains remarkably private about her personal affairs. Having wed her long-time partner last year, early 2025 almost witnessed her departure from professional football entirely.

Kelly was joined by her England team-mates for a victory parade down The Mall in London on Tuesday. The team had the Euro 2025 trophy with them on an open-top as they were greeted by an estimated 65,000 supporters in central London. Manager Sarina Wiegman and captain Leah Williamson then led the squad up onto a stage outside Buckingham Palace, where they were interviewed by Alex Scott. There were some heartwarming moments, including Wiegman doing a duet with Burna Boy and Williamson holding back tears as she spoke.

But there was also a moment where Kelly – the scorer of England’s winning penalty against Spain on Sunday – turned the air blue. She said: “It feels so good to stand side by side with each and every one of these girls.

“It’s so f****** special. It’s incredible to stand here today with a winners’ medal around our necks and I’m so proud to be English.”

It wasn’t the first time that the Arsenal forward had been caught on camera swearing, having dropped the same word after picking up her winners’ medal from Prince William in Basel. This time she quickly took to social media, writing: “Ooops. Emotions got the better of me. Sorry for the F bomb. Love, CK x.”

GOALIE Hannah Hampton was England’s penalties hero with two saves as the Lionesses roared to Euros glory over Spain last night.

Hannah starred in the 3-1 shootout win after the sides drew 1-1 in Basel, Switzerland.

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The King hailed their historic victory, three years after winning Euro 2022. He said: “The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can!”

They are the first senior England football team to win a major tournament on foreign soil and the first to retain a trophy after victory in 2022.

It was striker Chloe Kelly who sealed the win — repeating her feat from Wembley three years ago when she took off her jersey in celebration.

She brought it home this time by scoring the crucial penalty, sparking scenes of joy in Basel, Switzerland.

Manager Sarina Wiegman — winning her third consecutive Euros after victory in 2017 with the Netherlands — ran on to the pitch punching the air as she joined the mass of players and staff mobbing Kelly.

The Arsenal ace was in tears as she joined thousands of delighted fans singing Sweet Caroline.

Moments later, Kelly said: “I am so proud of this team. So grateful to wear this badge. So proud to be English. I was cool, I was composed.

“I knew I was going to hit the back of the net. Unbelievable. All the staff and Sarina Wiegman — she has done it again! Unbelievable.

“It is going to be crazy. I hope the whole of England comes out to support us and shows their love to these girls as they deserve it.”

Supersub Michelle Agyemang, the breakout star of the tournament, sank to her knees and wept as Kelly’s penalty went in.

In the stands, Prince William and daughter Princess Charlotte roared with delight at the victory.

Just before kick-off, a snap of the pair was posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales’s X account with the caption: “Let’s go, Lionesses.”

Jubilant Wills later greeted them, giving skipper Leah Williamson a hug, before they were presented the Euro 2025 trophy on the pitch.

King Charles told the Lionesses: “You have my whole family’s warmest appreciation and admiration. The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027, if you possibly can!”

The team will be at a Downing Street reception today hosted by Deputy PM Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock.

Ms Rayner said: “Our Lionesses are absolute champions. Not only are they bringing it home for England again, but they’re inspiring the next generation of champions too.”

PM Keir Starmer added: “The Lionesses have once again captured the hearts of the nation.

“Their victory is not only a remarkable sporting achievement, but an inspiration for young people across the country.”

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Former England striker and footie pundit Gary Lineker wrote online: “They’ve done it again. She’s done it again. Kelly’s heroes. Fabulous.”

Dutchwoman Wiegman said after the win: “I can’t believe it! We said we can win by any means and that’s what we have shown again today.

“I am so proud of the team and the staff. It is incredible.”

Spain were favourites on the back of an impressive run of ten straight victories in all competitions, scoring 38 goals in the process.

But England, despite a shaky start to the tournament, were confident after seeing off Sweden in the quarters and Italy in the semi-final.

A crowd of 34,203 watched as England enjoyed a bright start, with the first chance after three minutes.

But as the match wore on, Spain began to dominate and England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was forced into several crucial saves.

Mariona Caldentey put Spain ahead on 25 minutes, with Alessia Russo heading England level on 57 minutes.

Then, with neither side making a breakthrough in extra time, the match went to a penalty shootout.

Hero Hampton saved twice before Kelly’s trademark hop, skip and run penalty went in to secure the victory.

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LUCY BRONZE has revealed that she played the entirety of Euro 2025 with a fractured tibia.

The Lionesses stalwart, 33, incredibly fought through the serious injury to play a key role as Sarina Wiegman’s side retained their Euros crown.

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Bronze played 105 minutes of England’s final victory over Spain, before finally being forced off at half-time of extra time with a knee issue.

Following the Lionesses’ 3-1 penalty shoot-out victory, the Chelsea full-back told the BBC: “I have actually played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia, and then I have hurt my knee on my other leg.

“That’s why I got a lot of praise from the girls after the Sweden game, as I’ve been in a lot of pain. If that’s what it takes to play for England, that’s what I’ll do.”

“Very painful.”

On the tournament as a whole, warrior Bronze added: “We never lost belief in ourselves. There was a lot of noise on the outside. We stuck together and dug deep. To win on penalties. This team is so inspiring to be part of.

“What we have done today is unbelievable.

“Winning on penalties is an amazing feeling, but to lose on penalties is a horrible way to lose a final.

“I know a lot of these girls from Barca missing penalties. It is difficult I have been there a couple of years ago.

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“This year it was meant for England.

“Today we have shown resilience. We have shown everyone to believe in yourself no matter what people say about you.”

Bronze, whose middle name fittingly is “Tough”, was praised for her robustness by boss Wiegman earlier in the tournament.

The Dutchwoman said: “That resilience, that fight. The only way you get her off the pitch is in a wheelchair.”

THE Lionesses are champions of Europe once again after BEATING Spain in the Euros final.

Sarina Wiegman’s side got their revenge for the 2023 World Cup final, beating Spain on penalties.

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England retained the title they won the Euros in 2022 against Germany at Wembley.

In the World Cup final, Mary Earps made a huge save, but in her absence, Hannah Hampton stepped up, and saved TWO penalties in the shootout.

LIVE – Watch all the action from England vs Spain as it happens

The Lionesses celebrated in style after their 2022 victory in front of home fans.

SunSport can reveal if there will be celebrations as emphatic if they once again triumph in the final.

Will there be a victory parade if the Lionesses win the Euros?

There have been no confirmed plans of a trophy parade ahead of the final.

However, after the 2022 Euros triumph, the Lionesses held an event at Trafalgar Square, where they paraded the trophy.

The action was shown live on the BBC.

SunSport will keep you updated on any developments, after the Lionesses won tonight.