Women’s Euro 2022

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      England chief Sarina Wiegman ready for tough battle with Sweden and Herve Renard’s France in Euros qualifiers

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      SARINA WIEGMAN is relishing a tough French test with England drawn in a group of death for the Women’s Euros qualifiers.Herve Renard’s France are among their opponents in the battle for automatic qualification along with Sweden and the Republic of Ireland. Sarina Wiegman’s Euros champions have been drawn in a group of death with Sweden and France among their rivals in the qualifiers for next year’s tournamentCredit: GettyThe Lionesses’ push for automatic qualification for next year’s Euros will see them play France for the first time under WiegmanCredit: AFPThe Republic of Ireland have also been drawn in the same group as England, Sweden, and FranceCredit: Sportsfile From their group only the top two sides are guaranteed to automatically reach next year’s tournament in Switzerland.And the defending champions hope to outwit their rivals and secure a spot with the aim of winning back-to-back Euros trophies. The Lionesses chief, 54, said: “France have a very good squad and they showed their qualities by reaching the Nations League final.“I’m really excited to play against France because we haven’t faced them during my time as England head coach, so I’m really looking forward to those two games.“It’s a tough draw but it is a really exciting draw.”Today’s draw included 51 national sides divided into three different leagues – A, B, and C.The outcome of the 2023-24 Women’s Nations League fixtures decided which league Wiegman’s aces would be in with the team among sixteen sides in League A.And they were drawn in the third group of League A.Wiegman added: “Of course, we all went into the draw knowing that Sweden – one of the top countries – would be in Pot 3 because of their Nations League performance in 2023. “With France, Sweden, and the Republic of Ireland in our group, it will be very competitive.”It’s exciting and now we just have to show up and perform.”For the fans and for football, it is really good because it will be so competitive.”Qualifiers for next summer’s Euros will take place between April and July.Read More Football StoriesThey begin two months after England’s first international camp this year with team thrashing Austria 7-2 and Italy 5-1 in friendly fixtures.  Wiegman said: “I was excited to get the team together again in February and we were able to move forward quickly after our disappointment in December.“The team showed who we are and where we want to go.“Everyone wanted to make a good start and show themselves as an individual and as a team ahead of the qualifiers.Most read in Football“The camp gave us confidence that we are in a good place and now we look forward to seeing who we will face in the first two games in April.”England face a stern test from France and Sweden who are among the top five sides in the world. Like Wiegman, Renard, 55, has led two different national teams to major international tournament triumphs.He guided Zambia and the Ivory Coast to glory in the men’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2012 and 2015Under the France-born coach, Les Bleues have won six and drawn one of their last eight international duels since reaching the World Cup quarter-finals last August.Since then, the only defeat for the third best side on the planet has come against World Cup champions Spain in the Women’s Nations League final.Meanwhile Sweden, ranked fifth and one place below England in Fifa’s rankings, have lost three games since finishing third in the Women’s World Cup.And two of those defeats have come against Spain. Qualifiers to determine which 15 teams will join hosts Switzerland in the contest will take place between April and July.Sweden are likely to be formidable opponents for England with several past and present WSL stars having featured for the team in the Women’s Nations LeagueCredit: GettyShould the Lionesses finish third or fourth in their group they still have a chance to make it to the Euros via a play-off route.Sides that end up in third and fourth place in the League A groups automatically enter the play-offs, along the top three teams in each League B group.This means England could finish bottom and still be in with a chance of qualifying. More

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      UK looking to host first World Cup since 1966 as they target women’s 2031 tournament with Lionesses gunning for glory

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      FOOTBALL could be coming home in seven years’ time as UK sports bosses want to host the Fifa Women’s World Cup finals.Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses missed out on World Cup glory last year when they lost in the Sydney final to Spain.UK Sport are prepared to bid for the Women’s World CupCredit: GettyThe Lionesses missed out on becoming world champions last summerCredit: GettyNow UK Sport plan to set-up a feasibility study for a possible bid to host the senior football tournament in either 2031, 2035 or 2039.This could mean a potential head-to-head battle with Saudi Arabia after one of their top officials last October mentioned fronting a bid at the Leaders in Sport conference at Twickenham.If they were successful with the bid, this would represent the first senior World Cup to be staged in the UK since Alf Ramsey’s Boys of 1966 beat West Germany to lift the Jules Rimet Trophy at Wembley.The men’s European Championships in 2028 will be held across England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland.Read More on FootballAnd the women’s Euros took place in the summer of 2021 – when the Lionesses were victorious.UK Sport have expressed their interest for the event as part of their Making Live Sport Matter initiative, which will target 70 events in 32 sports and 18 World Championships.The governing body believe it will have a huge economic impact across 20 locations for over 15 million fans, with a £5billion potential income.Other events they are keen to host include the men’s Rugby World Cup, the Athletics World Championships in 2029, the Ryder Cup, the Solheim Cup, the Cycling World Championships and the Grand Depart of the Tour de France.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSimon Morton, Deputy CEO and Director of Events at UK Sport, said: “In the UK, millions of us choose to spend our free time watching and enjoying live sport with those that matter most to us, our friends, families and communities.“Live sport is a fundamental part of this country’s social fabric. No other country buys more tickets per head to major sporting events than we do in the UK.Mary Earps, Lauren Hemp and Millie Bright given gongs as sport & music stars celebrated in New Year’s Honours list“In the years ahead, we want to host a programme of live sport that resonates with the British public and makes a difference to millions of people’s lives.“That programme has to be more accessible to people and communities across the country ensuring sport reaches as many fans as possible.”Sports Minister Stuart Andrew said: “With the Champions League final at Wembley in June and the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 we’re building on our world leading reputation for hosting major sporting events.“We are working closely with UK Sport and partners to fulfil our shared ambition to deliver up to 70 major events across 30 different sports to the UK in the years ahead.”UK Sport claim that the Women’s World Cup, which began professionally in 1991, is the biggest sporting event yet to be held in the British Isles.The host nation for the 2027 tournament will be decided soon but bids have gone in from Brazil and joints ones by Belgium/Germany/Holland and Mexico/United States.UK Sport refuse to say if this would be a joint bid across the four Home Nations or solely in English stadiums but talks with the associations will start after May.There are no plans for bidding for a men’s World Cup any time before 2038 at the earliest.There are also no immediate plans to save the Commonwealth Games – which worryingly has no host for the 2026 and 2030 editions – because it is too financially bloated and “the challenge is value for money”, according to officials.The Lionesses will take the first steps to retaining their European Championship title next month when they kick off their qualifiers.However, they have been drawn in the Group of Death.England will face Sweden, France and the Republic of Ireland as they look to book a spot on the plane to Switzerland. More

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      Heartwarming moment Lionesses star fulfills promise to disabled fan with sweet gesture in England thrashing

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      ENGLAND defender Lotte Wubben-Moy fulfilled a promise she made to a young fan during Tuesday’s match against Italy.After being named in Sarina Wiegman’s starting line-up for the first time in almost two years, the 25-year-old immediately made her presence known at Estadio Nuevo Mirador.
      Lotte Wubben-Moy scored her first England goal on TuesdayCredit: Getty
      Her celebration was inspired by young England fan IzzyCredit: Twitter @itvfootball
      Just one minute into the match, Wubben-Moy broke the deadlock with a header following Alex Greenwood’s early corner.
      She wheeled away in celebration before crossing her arms and dancing – a sight some England fans may have recognised.
      That’s because the celebration was inspired by a young Lionesses supporter named Izzy.
      At a recent training camp, Izzy spoke to Wubben-Moy about the celebration.
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      The defender then made a promise to use it when she scored.
      And she stuck to her word during Tuesday’s match.
      Discussing Wubben-Moy’s celebration at half-time, ITV presenter Seema Jaswal said: “Her first England goal, what a special moment for her.
      “The celebration, you might have noticed, was inspired by this gorgeous girl [Izzy] – how cute is she? Her name is Izzy and she is severely deaf.
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      “When she met the Lionesses at a camp, she said to them that she would like to celebrate just like that [with crossed arms] if they were to score.
      “Lotte Wubben-Moy stuck to her word and delivered the celebration.”
      Mary Earps, Lauren Hemp and Millie Bright given gongs as sport & music stars celebrated in New Year’s Honours list
      England manager Wiegman was quick to praise the Arsenal star at full time.
      She said: “I think Lotte Wubben-Moy has definitely taken a step forward.
      “She’s developing a lot and is playing very well, that’s what we see weekly at Arsenal and that’s what she shows here too.”
      England went on to win the match 5-1 thanks to additional goals from Lauren Hemp, Ella Toone and Rachel Daly. More

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      Inside the ‘secret World Cup’ where England squad were blacklisted and ‘no one wanted to know’

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      COPA 71 is the story of women’s football miles away from the one we know today.The rise of the WSL and Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses have seen the likes of Chloe Kelly, Leah Williamson and Mary Earps become household names.
      Manager Harry Batt received a lifetime ban from football for bringing the Lionesses to a World Cup in 1971Credit: Mirrorpix
      The team became celebrities during their time in MexicoCredit: Mirrorpix
      They were mobbed wherever they travelled in MexicoCredit: Mirrorpix
      But back in 1971, with women’s football banned by the FA, England’s Lionesses were forced to compete in a women’s World Cup in secret.
      For years, nothing was known about the event in Mexico, with the FA moving to ban all the women involved in the tournament from football and the press not being interested in covering it.
      But the story of the tournament is about to have a spotlight shone on it thanks to a new documentary produced by Venus and Serena Williams called Copa 71.
      In it, we find out how a 60-year-old bus conductor from Luton named Harry Batt assembled an England team to compete in the secret tournament.
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      Batt found players by scouting playing fields and parks, and managed to cobble together 14 talented female players to fly to the tournament in Mexico.
      While there was zilch about it in the UK press at the time, the women who played in the tournament spoke about the experience to the Sunday Times.
      Trudy McAffrey, 69, Carol Wilson, 72, and Chris Lockwood, 67, said they were treated like celebrities in Mexico – with paparazzi following their every move and the team being invited to lavish parties at foreign embassies.
      Lockwood spoke of how the tournament energised Mexico and described “all the young kids wanting autographs.”
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      McAffrey considered throwing away all her souvenirs from the tournament – including this photograph due to the shame of the banCredit: Mirrorpix
      The team were invited to embassies in Mexico during the tournamentCredit: Mirrorpix
      It was the first time many of the squad members had travelled outside of EnglandCredit: Mirrorpix
      Although England were knocked out at the group stage it did not put a dampener on the squad’s experience, with Lockwood saying: “At the end, two children came with a plaque drawn in crayons that said, ‘You might have lost the game, but you’ve won the heart of Mexico.”
      Rather than fly home, the Lionesses were invited to stay in Mexico until the final “We were invited to a cocktail party in the British Embassy — it was a grand affair,” says Wilson, who was 19 and able to drink. “I remember seeing Leah [Caleb, the youngest member of the squad] reaching for the drinks tray — she was only 13!”
      But the story takes a sad turn when McAffrey described the squad “coming home to a nothingness” when they returned to England.
      Mary Earps, Lauren Hemp and Millie Bright given gongs as sport & music stars celebrated in New Year’s Honours list
      “Only a few weeks before, we had been playing football at a packed-out stadium,” she said. “No one wanted to know. It was bizarre.”
      The FA blacklisted manager Harry Batt for life and all the women were handed bans ranging between three months and 12 from playing football.
      The shame of being shunned by the FA led to the squad losing touch. “I think because it was banned, it made it feel like we did something wrong,” McCaffery says. “Not that long ago, I came close to just chucking my stuff [souvenirs from the tournament] away. I thought, who’s interested in this? It doesn’t mean anything to anybody.”
      It wasn’t until 47 years later that the squad were reunited after Lockwood, McCaffery and Wilson went on BBC Radio 4 and The One Show to launch a call-out to reunite the squad.
      The documentary also sees women from the Danish, Mexican and Italian teams interviewed, with many of them needing a lot of convincing to talk on the record.
      Co-director of Copa 71, Rachel Ramsay said: “The women are traumatised. The shame that they were made to feel was so intense. Many of them hadn’t even told their families they’d taken part.”
      The players were asked for autographs wherever they went in MexicoCredit: Mirrorpix
      But described coming back to ‘nothingness’ in EnglandCredit: Mirrorpix
      Jan Emms spoke of her pride at seeing the Lionesses reach the women’s World Cup final last yearCredit: Arfa Griffiths – The Sun
      As well as shining a light on the England team, the documentary highlights just how much the development of women’s football was stilted by bans on women playing football across multiple countries.
      With national teams becoming celebrities in Mexico, the final at the Azteca was a sell-out, attended by 112,500 spectators.
      Despite this being the highest ever attendance recorded for a women’s football game, FIFA only recently officially acknowledged this due to the tournament not being officially sanctioned.
      One of the members of the England squad, Jan Emms, the mother of badminton star Gail told the Sun last year that she was full of joy to see England’s Lionesses make the final of the women’s World Cup, this time in one sanctioned by FIFA.
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      She said: “This World Cup final is the ultimate vindication of what we did.”
      “All 14 of us are still alive and able to see this happen. We never in our wildest dreams thought that an England women’s team would get to a World Cup final.” More

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      England 7 Austria 2: Grace Clinton nets during dream debut as Lionesses crush European rivals

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      GRACE CLINTON showed amazing grace in England’s attack with a dream debut finish in the Lionesses’ humbling of Austria on Friday. Sarina Wiegman’s faith in the Tottenham’s starlet was rewarded during the 7-2 thumping that included Beth Mead netting a brace.
      Grace Clinton impressed in her first senior appearance for England netting the Lionesses’ second goalCredit: Getty
      Beth Mead and Alessia Russo both bagged two goals each with Sarina Wiegman’s side overwhelming AustriaCredit: Getty
      Aggie Beever-Jones and Khiara Keating were unused subs for England but could be in line for some minutes against ItalyCredit: Getty
      The performance saw last summer’s World Cup finalists get their Euros qualifiers preparations off to a flier.
      The team are to begin their battle for a place in next summer’s contest in April.
      And the result of the friendly played in southern Spain, means England are yet to be beaten by their rivals who fell to a tenth loss to the Lionesses.
      Although Austria got on the scoresheet twice at the at the Estadio Nuevo Mirador, the team struggled against their opponents’ press.
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      Before the game Wiegman spoke of experimenting and her players being over the heartbreak of missing out on play-offs for a Paris Olympics football spot for Team GB.
      It took her new look side, with Clinton making her first appearance, just three minutes to get off the mark.
      It was a opening goal out of Arsenal’s playbook with Gunners aces Alessia Russo and Mead combining and Russo pouncing on rebound of Mead shot’s for a tap-in.
      Austria’s nightmare start showed no signs of easing as England punished erroneous passes out from the back.
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      A swift counter saw them double their lead with Clinton heading home in the 19th minute just moments after striking the post.
      Against the run of play Austria pulled a goal back with England caught cold from a corner kick.
      That moment saw an unmarked Virginia Kirchberger head beyond an outstretched Hannah Hampton to make it 2-1 with half an hour gone.
      But any hopes of a miraculous fight back were thwarted with Mead’s stunning curled shot flying past her Gunners goalkeeper team-mate Manuela Zinsberger.
      The second half saw Wiegman shuffle her deck with Jess Carter and Jess Park among the players entering the fray.
      And Russo bagged her second after Sarah Zadrazil was caught in possession in the 61sth minute before making way for Rachel Daly.
      Carter added to the drubbing with a flicked finish past Zinsberger late on.
      Jess Carter got in the scoring with a flicked finish following an assist from Lotte Wubben-MoyCredit: Getty
      But Kirchberger caught England cold again from a set-piece with the defender out leaping Esme Morgan before Mead fired in England’s sixth goal with a minute of normal time left.
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      And Daly’s rifled in the team’s seventh after beating Zinsberger one-on-one in injury time.
      A friendly duel with Italy is up next for the Lionesses on Tuesday. More

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      Arsenal’s Leah Williamson withdraws from England squad ahead of clashes with Austria and Italy

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      LEAH WILLIAMSON’S England return has been halted by an injury that led the Euros winner to withdraw from the Lionesses squad.The Arsenal ace missed the Gunners’ 3-1 defeat of Manchester United at the Emirates on Saturday following a hamstring strain.
      Leah Williamson will miss England’s upcoming friendly fixtures against Austria and ItalyCredit: PA
      Williamson’s last England appearance was during the Lionesses defeat of Brazil in the Women’s Finalissima last AprilCredit: PA
      After his side’s win Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall hinted at Williamson’s withdrawal from Wiegman’s 23-strong group ahead of their first two international fixtures this year.  
      The Gunners gaffer revealed the Lionesses skipper would miss his team’s clash with United due to a “minor” hamstring issue.
      England are due to play Austria on February 23 and Italy on February 27 in friendly duels at the Estadio Nuevo Mirador Algeciras in Spain.  
      Earlier today the FA confirmed Man United’s Millie Turner will be replacing Williamson in Sarina Wiegman’s group.

      Turner’s inclusion in England’s squad comes three months after her recall to the national team before England’s Women’s Nations League clashes with the Netherlands and Scotland.
      Last November the Red Devils defender was called up to replace injured Lionesses vice-captain Millie Bright.
      Turner and her England team-mates will travel to Marbella, Spain on Monday ahead of the start of England’s warm weather camp.
      Williamson’s call up this month was her first Lionesses recall since her recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained last April.
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      Manchester United’s Millie Turner has been called up to England’s squad to replace WilliamsonCredit: Getty
      The England skipper, who has 43 senior caps, ruptured a knee ligament weeks after leading her team to a Women’s Finalissima win against Brazil.
      Williamson’s Gunners’ team-mate Lotte Wubben-Moy is among eight defenders included the Lionesses squad this month.
      The team’s games against Austria and Italy are being used part of their preparations for Euros 2025 qualifiers in April. More

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      London Overground line to be named after iconic England side following £6m rebrand

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      THE new names of London’s six Overground lines have been revealed, with one set to be named after England’s Lionesses.Transport for London (TfL) has announced the changes are expected to cost about £6.3m to complete.
      TFL will name one of the new London Overground lines after the LionessesCredit: Getty
      TfL announced last summer its plan to give routes distinct names to make it easier for passengers to navigate the network.
      The new names for services will be the Lioness line, the Mildmay line, the Windrush line, the Weaver line, the Suffragette line and the Liberty line.
      Each will also have its own colour.
      With the Lioness line running from Euston to Watford Junction running through Wembley, the name is to honour the achievements of the England women’s football team.
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      On the map, it will be marked with yellow parallel lines.
      Sarena Wiegman had led England women to great success over the years.
      In 2022 the Lionesses won the European Championship at Wembley after beating Germany 2-1.
      And last year they were inches away from claiming another piece of silverware at the World Cup but lost 1-0 to Spain at the final in Sydney.
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      And they will not be able to redeem themselves at the Paris Summer Olympics in July as they failed to qualify after finishing second in their UEFA Women’s League Group.
      Despite a sensational 6-0 victory against Scotland back in December, table leaders Netherlands managed to finish above England after goal difference.
      Mary Earps wins SPOTY as Lioness makes history after England World Cup final run,
      Wiegman’s side will next face Austria in a friendly at the end of the month in Spain. More

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      Chloe Kelly ‘cancels Pancake Day’ after England Lionesses star shares horrendous cooking fails

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      CHLOE KELLY ‘cancelled Pancake Day’ after the Lionesses hero’s attempt at cooking went disastrously wrong. The Manchester City star shocked her Instagram followers when she shared her horrendous baking attempts on her story.
      Chloe Kelly revealed she was struggling to deliver the Shrove Tuesday goodsCredit: Instagram / @chloekelly
      One attempt looked close to becoming a fully-fledged pancakeCredit: Instagram / @chloekelly
      But it was not to be for the LionessCredit: Instagram / @chloekelly
      The pictures included lumps of cooked batter that did not resemble pancakes at all.
      And if one thing is certain, it is that Kelly, 26, will not be getting ‘Star Baker’ anytime soon.
      Poking fun at her failed endeavours in the kitchen, Kelly wrote: “Making pancakes is supposed to be easy.”
      This was followed by a picture of her holding a deformed, burnt mass of pancake in her hand, alongside the caption: “Attempt number two.”
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      She then revealed an ‘update’ to her captivated followers, showing a picture of a fully formed, but raw, pancake – only a few more moments on the hob and it could have been the real deal.
      But it was not to be for the Lioness, who failed once again to deliver the Shrove Tuesday goods, finally admitting defeat and ‘cancelling’ Pancake day.
      Captioning the shots of a horrifyingly bad bake, she added: “Pancake Day cancelled.
      “365 days to practise.”
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      Fans will have to wait patiently for more pancake content and hopefully next year there might be some improvement.
      Luckily for her club Man City, and England, Kelly is much better at playing football than cooking crepes.
      Fans love Chloe Kelly as she ‘tells cameraman to f***off’ after amazing pen seals England World Cup quarter-final place
      And yesterday’s kitchen catastrophe is an anomaly in Kelly’s otherwise totally glam life.
      Since scoring the winning goal against Germany in the Euros final, her lifestyle has ramped up a notch and she’s now regular on the red carpet.
      She’s also got a gorgeous boyfriend called Scott Moore who she regularly posts pictures of, to the envy and awe of her female followers.
      Man City are on a winning streak at the moment and second in the WSL table, only one win behind Chelsea who they face in a big clash on Friday. More