The Lionesses are champions of Europe once again after a thrilling final against Spain in Basel – sealing their second consecutive EURO title in a tense penalty shootout.
The final, held at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland, saw Spain take the lead in the 25th minute through Mariona Caldentey before England struck back with a powerful header from Alessia Russo in the second half. The score remained level after extra time, taking the match to penalties – where England held their nerve and Chloe Kelly fired home the winner to send the Lionesses into the history books.
England’s path to the final has been one of resilience, teamwork, and grit. After topping their group with wins over Sweden and Austria, the Lionesses edged past Italy in the quarter-finals and saw off the Netherlands in a nervy semi-final.
Sunday’s victory means England have become only the second team in history to retain the Women’s EURO title, joining Germany in that elite group. It also marks a new era of dominance in women’s football for the Lionesses, following their triumph in 2022 and a strong World Cup showing in 2023.
Defender Lucy Bronze set a record on the night, becoming the most capped England player in Women’s EURO history. The game also saw a controversial early substitution after Lauren James – who started despite an ankle injury – was taken off in the first half, raising questions about fitness and selection.
Despite the pressure, manager Sarina Wiegman praised her squad for their unity and composure, saying the result reflected their commitment throughout the tournament.
While there may not have been a direct Andover connection on the pitch, the Lionesses’ win will no doubt inspire a new generation of local footballers. With grassroots clubs across Test Valley seeing a rise in participation since the 2022 win, this latest success is set to boost interest even further.