Women’s Euro 2022

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      England women compared to Lionel Messi’s team as fans hail Lionesses for ‘biggest upgrade’

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      FANS have hailed Sarina Wiegman as the “biggest upgrade” following her success as Lionesses’ manager.The Dutch coach replaced Phil Neville as the team’s manager and has gone on to win the Women’s Euros and qualify for the final of the Women’s World Cup.
      The Lionesses reached the final of the Woman’s World CupCredit: PA
      They had previously been coached by Phil NevilleCredit: Getty
      But he was replaced by Sarina Wiegman in 2021Credit: Getty
      Neville’s other former team Inter Miami have also gone on to have successCredit: Reuters
      Wiegman’s most recent success saw the Lionesses overcome host nation Australia in the semi-final of the World Cup to set up a tie against Spain in the final on Sunday.
      Neville was replaced by Wiegman, 53, in 2021, leading the Lionesses to become one of the top teams in the world.
      After leaving his role, Neville was hired by MLS outfit Inter Miami but struggled to improve the team.
      He was sacked by the club earlier this year and since his departure, the club has signed Lionel Messi and managed to qualify for the Concacaf Champions Cup thanks to a 4-1 win over Philadelphia Union in the Leagues Cup semi-final.
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      Miami set a record with the achievement as they have become the first club to qualify for the competition while being bottom of their league, as the top three teams from the Leagues Cup earn a spot in the continental cup.
      And fans have flocked to social media to draw on the comparison between the two team’s successes since Neville’s departures.
      One fan Tweeted: “Phil Neville to Sarina Wiegman is maybe the biggest managerial upgrade any team in the entire history of football has ever made.”
      A second commented: “Lionesses 🤝 Inter Miami. Sack Phil Neville to get good.”
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      A third wrote: “Lionesses continue to show that nothing is impossible when you don’t have Phil Neville in charge.”
      A fourth said: “Phil Neville leaves the Lionesses, and they win the euros and are now in the World Cup final. Neville left Inter Miami, and they sign Lionel Messi and are now qualified for Concacaf. Biggest fraud ever.”
      A fifth added: “Has there been a bigger upgrade in football than Phil Neville to Sarina Wiegman?
      While another joked: “If we’d have given Phil Neville more time, we’d have been able to have a proper lie in on Sunday 🤷🏻‍♂️.”
      Sunday’s final is Wiegman’s second successive World Cup final after she led the Netherlands to a clash with the USA in 2019 – before they suffered a 2-0 defeat.
      Neville, 46, however is back in work and is currently working as an assistant for the Canada men’s national team. More

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      Rachel Daly wants to park ‘special’ Euros moment to focus on England goal of beating world’s best

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      RACHEL DALY is pushing Euros nostalgia to the back of her mind with the Lionesses laser-focused on winning football’s biggest prize. Monday will be a year to the day Daly helped England win the contest at Wembley with a dramatic 2-1 defeat of Germany.
      Rachel Daly has no intention of being distracted by nostalgia around England’s Euros winCredit: Getty
      The Lionesses’ World Cup clash with China in Adelaide will come almost a year on from their Euros win at WembleyCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Daly and her team-mates aim to finish top of Group D following their 1-0 wins against Haiti and DenmarkCredit: Getty
      The Lioness, who started in all six games of that unbeaten run, sees the Women’s World Cup as a “different kettle of fish”. 
      And her team aims to finish top of Group D by beating or drawing with China in Adelaide on Tuesday.
      A first place finish for England would see them seal a last-16 clash with either Nigeria, Australia or Canada. 
      Daly, 31, said: “For me personally, I don’t want to go into a tournament thinking about another one.
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      “It’s a completely different kettle of fish as it’s the world’s biggest stage.
      “It’s a different feel with different (England) players and staff. 
      “It’s great that we won the Euros and it’s something that we do discuss now and again.
      “For me, it was a special moment. But at times like this you have to focus on what’s in front of you and push that aside.”
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      Daly, who made her senior England debut in 2016 scoring in a 7-0 Euros qualifier defeat of Serbia, is regarded as one of the leaders within the  squad. 
      The versatile Leeds-born Lioness joked she’s astounded to now be the third-oldest player following Ellen White’s and Jill Scott’s retirements. 
      The 71-capped England star added: “I’m actually shocked I’m the third oldest. I don’t act that way, I’m sure. 
      “It’s a different role for me, now we’ve lost Jill and Ellen who are older. 
      “But losing two players of their overwhelming experience is tough.
      “Some of the younger players have to step into that role and it’s nice to be able to do that. 
      “I had that when I was younger and so it’s nice to speak to the younger ones.
      “And there are players here who are experiencing their first tournament.
      “They’re over the other side of the world, away from home and not seeing family so much. It’s nice to be able to help them.”
      England’s last duel with China saw them lose 2-1 back in October 2015, five months after beating their opponents by the same scoreline at the Academy Stadium. 
      But much has changed for the Lionesses’ fortunes since then. 
      A top spot finish in Group D for England will see them play either Nigeria or Canada or Australia in the World Cup’s knockout stageCredit: Getty
      They are currently ranked the fourth best side in the world and ten places above their rivals who beat Haiti last Friday. 
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      Daly said: “We know their threats and what they’re capable of. 
      “We should be prepared the best way we can and hopefully get those next three points in the bag.” More

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      Ultimate Women’s World Cup rich list – highest-paid Lionesses star to Chelsea striker who bagged FIFA video game deal

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      ENGLAND’S roaring Lionesses captured the heart of the nation on their way to victory at the Euros last year.But while they will be hoping to go one better at the Women’s World Cup this summer, they face stiff competition from the likes of the USA, Spain, Germany and France.
      Chloe Kelly and the team pulled in huge crowds to their games in the UK for the Women’s EurosCredit: Getty
      Marta is often considered the greatest female footballer of all timeCredit: Getty
      In the money leagues, top stars like Marta and Megan Rapinoe may earn just a fraction of their equivalents in the men’s game.
      However, the best players can still earn hundreds of thousands a year – boosted by sponsorship deals and lucrative side projects.
      Here, we reveal some of the highest earners who will be dazzling in Australia and New Zealand over the coming weeks.
      Marta
      Brazilian Marta, 37, is often regarded as the best female footballer ever, so it’s no surprise she can command one of the highest salaries.
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      The forward reportedly earns £311,000 a year at Orlando Pride, topped up by sponsorship deals with the likes of LATAM Airlines, Avon Brasil, shampoo brand Clear and pharmaceutical company Neo Quimica.
      In some of her campaigns for Clear, she has appeared with Cristiano Ronaldo. She has also had deals with Coca-Cola and Puma.
      Marta is Brazil’s all-time top goalscorer, with a record 17 World Cup goals, and has been named FIFA’s World Player of the Year five consecutive times.
      Wendie Renard
      Wendie has captained the French national team for ten yearsCredit: Getty
      French centre back Wendie, 33, has been the captain of the French women’s team for ten years.
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      As the skipper of Lyon at club level, she is one of the most decorated players in modern times, with an astonishing 15 French league titles and eight European Cups to her name.
      It’s no surprise then that she’s on a reported £298,000-a-year salary.
      One of her sponsors is Adidas and she was previously an ambassador for MasterCard alongside England’s Alex Scott, too.
      Earlier this year, she told fans she was pulling out of what will be her third World Cup.
      She said in a statement: “It is a sad day, but necessary to preserve my mental health. It is with a heavy heart that I come to inform you of my decision to step back from the French team.”
      However, after returning to the French team for friendlies against Colombia and Canada in April, she will be wearing the armband once more this tournament.
      Megan Rapinoe
      Megan has gained a huge profile for her footwork on the pitch and activism off itCredit: Getty
      Megan’s famous celebration against France at the last World CupCredit: AFP
      With her signature bleached hair and even more dazzling footwork, USA winger Megan is one of the most instantly recognisable female footballers in the world.
      At the last World Cup in 2019, her celebration against France – in which she saluted the crowd with outstretched arms – became an instant meme and even went on to be added into the FIFA video game.
      The athlete, 38, is thought to take home a salary of £348,000 from OL Reign and, according to Celebrity Net Worth, has a fortune of £3.9million.
      She tops this up with sponsorship deals and cover interviews, having appeared on the front page of Sports Illustrated, Marie Claire, and InStyle.
      Her brands deals include luxury fashion brand Loewe, Nike and Samsung.
      Alex Morgan
      Alex Morgan has topped up her earnings by writing a children’s book seriesCredit: Getty
      Her tea-sipping celebration has gone down in World Cup folkloreCredit: Rex Features
      England fans will remember USA striker Alex for her now infamous tea-drinking celebration, after scoring the winner against the Lionesses at the last World Cup.
      The San Diego Wave FC captain – who CNW estimates has a fortune of £2.3million – has played in 217 international matches and made a short-lived move to Tottenham back in 2020.
      Away from the pitch, the 34-year-old has published The Kicks, a four-book series for school children and even appeared in a music video for Maroon 5’s song “Girls Like You”, which features Cardi B.
      Her long list of sponsorship deals include Nike, Panasonic, AT&T, Chobani, McDonald’s, P&G, Mondelez International, and Coca-Cola.
      She is married to Servando Carrasco, also a football player, and they have one child together, three-year-old Charlie.
      Lucy Bronze
      Lucy is thought to be one of the UK’s wealthiest female footballersCredit: Getty
      British Lucy, 31, is one of the wealthiest Lionesses and is thought to take home around £200,000 a year for FC Barcelona.
      The right-back has played for the England team since 2013 and has also represented the country in the Olympics. She tops up her earnings with deals from Pepsi, EE, Klarna, and Visa.
      Lucy is believed to be the top-earning England player, but along with other Lionesses has slammed the FA’s decision not to pay players extra money on top of the funds dished out by FIFA this tournament.
      Speaking about it, she said: “We want to keep pushing our own standards, but also our federations’ standards, the FIFA and UEFA standards. It isn’t just about the numbers. It is the principle of what we want to improve in women’s football.
      “There is always another step the game can take. Whether that is commercial, on the pitch or off the pitch, whether it is performance based or not. It is about being rewarded for what we have done – we are the European Champions.”
      Sam Kerr
      Sam has a $1million deal with Nike among other lucrative dealsCredit: Getty
      Goal-machine Sam, 29, is believed to take home a salary of £400,000 a year at Chelsea, who she has just helped to another Women’s Super League title.
      The Australian captains her national team and will be hoping to take them all the way as the hosts.
      Her 13-year deal with Nike is thought to be worth $1million. She was also the first female player to appear on the cover of the FIFA video game.
      Sam also has sponsorship deals with luxury watch brand IWC Schaffhausen, Australian bank CommBank, and EA Sports.
      Chloe Kelly
      Chloe won legions of fans for her last minute goal at the EurosCredit: Getty
      England’s super-sub Chloe, 25, secured her place in the history books at last year’s Euros with her winning goal against Germany.
      It is not known how much her Man City contract is worth, but the club’s average salary for female players is thought to be around £75,000 a year.
      However, off the back of her legendary goal – and celebration – last year, Chloe remains one of England’s most marketable stars.
      The Mail on Sunday reported that she was set to sign a deal with Land Rover worth up to £2 million.
      A spokesperson for Chloe told the paper: “I can’t comment on her business dealings but… she is in demand.”
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      She has also worked with Nike, KFC and last month appeared in a Calvin Klein ad alongside Alex Morgan. More

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      Meet the ‘BAPs’ cheering on England’s Lionesses as World Cup kicks off – including German keeper who beat cancer twice

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      ENGLAND’S Lionesses kick off their World Cup bid on Saturday with an opening match against Haiti.The European champions will be looking to do the double and take home football’s biggest prize.
      England players Hannah Hampton, Georgia Stanway, Katie Zelem, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Bethany England, Lucy Bronze and Lauren Hem pose for a photo during a training session in Brisbane this weekCredit: Getty
      Some big names are missing from the team – notably captain Leah Williamson, who was ruled out of the tournament in April after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
      Her Arsenal team-mate Beth Mead has the same injury, while Chelsea midfielder Fran Kirby underwent knee surgery.
      But it’s paved the way for some new faces – and their loved ones will be spurring them on along with the rest of the nation.
      Here we take a look at the BAPs – that’s boyfriends and partners – cheering on Sarina Wiegman’s squad as the competition in Brisbane, Australia gets underway.
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      Chloe Kelly
      Chloe Kelly is dating Scott MooreCredit: Instagram/@chloekelly
      Chloe, 25, from Hanwell, west London was hailed a hero when she scored the winning goal in the 110th minute in the Euros final against Germany, after coming off the bench.
      The Manchester City forward – who recently posed in her underwear for a stunning Calvin Klein ad – is dating Scott Moore, a greenkeeper at a golf club.
      The couple – often seen in loved-up snaps on Instagram – have been together for four years and share a cute cockapoo called Otis.
      After England’s Euros victory Scott was seen wearing an England shirt with his girlfriend’s name emblazoned on the back.
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      Ella Toone
      Ella and her boyfriend Joe Bunney are both footballersCredit: Instagram/@joebunney
      Awkwardly for Man Utd player Ella, 23, her proud boyfriend Joe Bunney, 29, is a devoted City fan.
      But he’s his girlfriend’s “biggest cheerleader”, with a source previously telling The Sun: “Ella and Joe are very much in love and have been together for a while now.
      “They are both from Manchester and have mutual friends who introduced them. Those who know them think they are the perfect pairing.”
      Joe, who has two children from a previous relationship, is also a footballer, having played for EFL clubs including Bolton, Northampton Town and then-League side Rochdale. He currently plays for Stalybridge Celtic.
      Millie Bright
      Millie and Levi have been together for over three yearsCredit: Instagram
      Chelsea defender and England captain Millie, 29, is currently dating American performance-enhancing coach Levi Crew.
      The couple went ‘Instagram official’ with their relationship in October 2020, with Millie calling Levi her “rock and best buddy”.
      She upgraded him to her “king” in a message marking his 30th birthday in 2021.
      It’s not known how they met, but Millie often shares romantic snaps of them holidaying together – and recently posted an Instagram tribute praising his coaching skills.
      Alex Greenwood
      Alex is dating childhood sweetheart Jack O’ConnellCredit: @jackoconnell22
      Man City fullback Alex, 29, is known as the glamour puss of the Lionesses, who’s “very big into her heels, her dresses and her eyelashes” according to teammate Jordan Nobbs.
      She is dating fellow footballer Jack O’Connell, 32, who plays for Sheffield united.  
      The couple both grew up in Merseyside and are childhood sweethearts, having met at Savio Salesian College in Bootle.
      Bethany England
      Beth England and girlfriend Stephanie Williams, with their poochesCredit: Instagram/@bethanyengland4
      As classic example of nominative determinism, Beth England, 29, worked night shifts in a chippy while playing semi-pro before hitting the big time with Chelsea and getting a call up to the national squad.
      She now plays as a forward for Tottenham Hotspur and is in a relationship with footballer Stephanie Williams, 30.
      The pair are believed to have met through the beautiful game and recently enjoyed a luxurious cruise holiday together.
      Though Stephanie does have to share Beth with their beloved pair of Golden Retrievers – Buddy and Dilys.
      Jess Carter
      Jess Carter is dating German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin BergerCredit: Getty
      Chelsea player Jess, 25, has been in a relationship with her teammate Ann-Katrin Berger since 2017, after meeting when she joined Birmingham City in 2016.
      When they met for the first time, Ann-Katrin, 32 – the national goalkeeper for Germany – admitted: “I thought she was arrogant, but as I got to know her, I became drawn into her character.”
      The glam pair, who live together in London, recently posed on the green carpet together at the FIFA Football Awards.
      Ann-Katrin – who beat cancer twice – is also heading to the World Cup, meaning the two women could face each other.
      But it’s likely to cause no drama between them, with Jess telling The Guardian last year: “There wasn’t really any direct competition [during the Euros] because we are both really chilled people.”
      Georgia Stanway
      Georgia is believed to be dating a rugby player, Olly Ashall-BottCredit: Instagram
      Georgia, a midfielder for Bayern Munich, is believed to be in a long-term relationship with rugby league player Olly Ashall-Bott.
      With Olly, 25, playing in France for Toulouse Olympique, the couple are used to long-distance – but he was there to cheer her on at Wembley when England lifted the Euros trophy.
      He wore an England shirt with her name on the back and said afterwards: “I’m just so glad that I got the chance to go see her.
      “I hadn’t caught an England game before because our fixtures didn’t align… I was buzzing and so happy for her and the team.
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      “It sounds weird but it feels like I played in it myself. Because we’re so close, I think I got the same feeling as her – maybe not quite as much but I still feel like I won as well. And sharing moments like that with her is just incredible for me.”
      The couple, who have a house in Widnes, Cheshire, both enjoy fishing in their spare time and share a chocolate brown cockapoo. More

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      Inside the Lionesses’ bizarre superstition that helped them win Euro 2022 as they now target World Cup 2023 glory

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      BEHIND every successful team is a great manager, a flawless philosophy and a relentless work ethic.There is also the odd superstition.
      England won Euro 2022 at Wembley last summerCredit: Getty
      The Lionesses are now hoping to replicate that success at the World CupCredit: PA
      England had all of the above when they stormed to European Championship glory last summer.
      Sarina Wiegman united a squad, and that squad gradually united a nation when the Lionesses edged through each round of Euro 2022, first defeating Austria, Norway and Northern Ireland in the group stages before seeing off Spain in the quarter-finals and Sweden in the semi-finals.
      They then capped off an unforgettable month with a 2-1 win over bitter rivals Germany in the final, thanks to goals from Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly.
      But after lifting that glorious glass trophy under the iconic Wembley arch – and basking in the celebrations – attention quickly turned to the next big challenge – the World Cup.
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      A year has since passed and the Lionesses are now preparing to do it all over again, this time in Australia and New Zealand.
      But while the team looks slightly different – with Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Fran Kirby absent due to injury – Wiegman and her squad are approaching this year’s World Cup with a similar mindset.

      They are even prepared to replicate one key superstition that helped them to victory last summer.
      England midfielder Georgia Stanway has revealed that it became a tradition for all players to NOT pack their suitcases during the Euros, even when they had to leave their base hotel.
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      The 24-year-old told FourFourTwo magazine: “That was something we really enjoyed doing: not packing our suitcases, leaving our stuff exactly where it was.
      “It was never really spoken about, but for every matchday minus one, we would travel to a different hotel, and it became tradition to leave everything unpacked at our base hotel.
      “It was where all of our clothes were and where everything was unpacked.
      “We had made the rooms our own and made it the Lionesses’ hotel, and there was always a bit of: ‘Are we taking our bags?’
      “But it became normal to leave them because we knew we were coming back.
      “That meant we were coming back for the final.”
      AUSSIE BASE
      England are based at the Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific Hotel for the World Cup, a four-star complex on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia.
      The Lionesses took a 90-minute flight to Brisbane from their base camp on Sunday ahead of their opening match against Haiti on Thursday.
      After the match, they will return to their base hotel for their second group game against Denmark.
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      The England team will then fly another two hours to Adelaide, where they will take on China.
      Fully expect their bags at base camp to remain unpacked throughout – and hopefully up until the final on August 20.
      Hannah Hampton  with her bag packedCredit: PA
      The team left their camp in Windsor before flying to AustraliaCredit: PA
      Stanway has revealed that it became tradition for the Lionesses not to pack their suitcases during Euro 2022Credit: Getty More

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      Lionesses winning Euros last summer was wonderful – here’s three reasons why we should roar them on again at World Cup

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      IF I tell you I have a hunch about a sporting event, then have a hunch of your own that the opposite will happen. I have a terrible track record with these things.But last year I got something right.
      Alessia Russo’s stunning surprise backheel against Sweden in the semi-finalCredit: Getty
      Ace Chloe Kelly celebrates her winnerCredit: PA
      The Lionesses gatecrash the press conference and partyCredit: Getty
      I wrote in The Sun that England’s women would win the Euros.
      And they did. Thrillingly, miraculously, brilliantly, inspiringly . . . they only went and did it.
      There were a trio of Three Lionesses moments which are right up there with anything our men have done. Moments which changed everything.
      Oh the joy of Russo’s backheel in the semi-final.
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      Very occasionally a player will do something which no one sees coming. They sell a dummy which everyone buys.
      Their teammates, their opponents, the commentators, the cameras, the crowd and the TV audience all look for the ball to go one way, but it goes ­somewhere else.
      No matter how many times you watch it back, Alessia Russo’s backheel takes you by surprise.
      This was the moment even the most cynical, not-for-me women’s football refusenik went “Oof! Wow! OK.”
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      Then there was Chloe Kelly’s winner in the final. By then we were so into it.
      Earlier, as we became true believers, it dawned on us that while everything was different, it could all yet turn out the same.
      Same old England, sure to lose in the end, to Germany, inevitably.
      But no! Into the net went the ball and over her head came Chloe’s shirt. Iconic.
      This was the moment we knew the Lionesses were different.
      They were winners. And we all felt like winners too.
      And then there was the invasion of the press ­conference.
      The all-singing, all-dancing, conga of ­mischief and joy.
      This was the moment we were reminded that, at its great beating heart, football is actually about, you know, having fun.
      Total ­uninhibited happiness.
      Great, great times.
      And this week we go again.
      Conga of ­mischief and joy
      It’s going to be harder this time.
      Not just because it’s the World Cup, nor because it’s happening a world away in a land down under.
      No, it’s because now England expects.
      Success creates its own pressure.
      And this means they need us to get behind them more than ever before.
      They gave us something wonderful last summer and now, in a sense, we need to give them something back.
      Someone once said that success has many fathers, but failure is an orphan.
      True that. We need to demonstrate that we’ve not been fairweather friends to our Lionesses.
      We need to be with them all the way.
      We can’t bide our time and wait for a moment of glory to be within our grasp.
      They need us right behind them from the off. They need us now.
      Shirt-shedding
      And it’s not just about the World Cup either.
      Last week Karen Carney, former Lioness midfielder and chair of a major review into the women’s game, published her report.
      It’s not a back-patting, look-how-far-we’ve-come exercise.
      It’s much more important than that.
      Her call is for the top two tiers of women’s football to be made fully professional; for a new regular broadcast slot on television; for better investment, better facilities, higher standards all around.
      This isn’t romantic stuff about backheels, shirt-shedding or crazy congas.
      This is the gritty, tricky, challenging stuff needing to be done to get more girls playing, and more women winning, in the environments they’ve earned the right to enjoy.
      There’s 126 pages to this report, and it’s well worth a read, but Karen sums it up rather neatly for us in just a few words.
      “Nothing can take away from our great achievements,” she says.
      “But it is like Instagram vs reality, and the latter is worrying and we need to address it.”
      She’s right. The Instagram posts tell a story of shiny new success with money to match.
      The reality is huge areas of the women’s game underfunded and underloved. The poor relation.
      The seeds of failure are often sown in times of success.
      Power is in our hands
      It would be all too easy for us to say, “Oh yeah, women’s football. Love it! I get it! We’re brilliant! Job done!”
      Never mind the facilities, let’s just admire that backheel again.
      Even if the Lionesses win the World Cup and conga all the way home with the trophy, the gap between Instagram and reality won’t be closed.
      If anything, it will be wider. The ­Instagrams will look even glossier, and the reality will change barely a jot.
      A massive opportunity could go ­begging, and that would be a dreadful thing.
      So what, you might ask, can we, the fans, do to close Karen’s Instagram vs reality gap?
      Well, much of it, to do with finance and administration and business planning, we have no direct control of.
      But the power is still in our hands.
      Because if we carry on seeing the power and potential of the women’s game, and stick with it, and demand ­better, all the good stuff will follow.
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      More than ever before, at this World Cup and way beyond, everyone from the Lionesses to the little girl in the park wanting a kickabout, need our backing.
      Let’s do this. More

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      Ella Toone opens up on ‘finding herself’ and shares childhood dream of scoring for England in the World Cup

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      ELLA TOONE is loving life in Australia having “found herself” Down Under ahead of England revving up for the World Cup.The forward, 23, whose stunning chip helped the Lionesses triumph at last year’s Euros, sees herself as a player who goes at a “hundred miles an hour”.
      Ella Toone says she feels like a changed woman ahead of the start of England’s campaign to win the World CupCredit: Getty
      The Lioness forward could be set to play in a World Cup tournament for the first time in her careerCredit: Getty
      Toone says she learnt about herself during England’s Euros-winning run last summerCredit: Getty
      But since arriving at England’s camp Toone, who has 32 senior caps, has enjoyed finding ways to balance intense training with switching off mentally from football.
      The Manchester United and Lioness ace said: “I’ve really found myself here. I never normally wake up early as I’m a proper sleeper.
      “But I woke up early the other day – six o’clock – I went and saw the sunrise.
      “I absolutely love walking along the beach and the other day I went into the sea.
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      “Luckily the girls got me some goggles as I can’t go in with my eyelashes (on). 
      “I was under the waves every day and I thought ‘wow this is me’. 
      “Going in the sea has definitely really made me a changed woman.”
      Like her team-mates Toone has been finding ways to make the most of her downtime away from preparation for England’s Group D opener against Haiti in five days’ time.
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      The Wigan-born Lioness, who has netted 16 goals since her senior international debut in September 2020, enjoys reading autobiographies in her spare time.  
      She adds: “I don’t actually read novels, just autobiographies. I’m reading Jamie Vardy’s autobiography at the minute. 
      “I always say it (that I’m going to) but now I’ve actually started (to take up) reading more often so that’s nice.”
      Last summer saw Toone play in a major tournament for the first time in a senior career which began with a two-year spell at Blackburn Rovers in 2015 before moves to Man City and Man United.
      The WSL star was among nine aces taking part in their first major international contest for the Lionesses.
      Her goal-scoring display at last year’s Euros final at Wembley saw her evolve from a promising England talent to a tournament-winning performer.
      Toone opened the scoring against finalists Germany in front of a record crowd a Wembley with a lofted second-half strike.
      And the forward is eager to help England’s new major contest debutants with six included in head coach Wiegman’s squad.
      Toone adds: “Going into this tournament off the back of my first major tournament with England, I’ve just got more experience now.
      “I learned so much about myself at the Euros.
      “I’ve come into this having a bit more experience and just trying to offer others that experience.
      “I think I’ve come into this tournament the same as (I did) at the Euros.
      “That’s giving my best, enjoying every moment and making sure that I work hard in training.
      “I want to give everything I can every time I put the shirt on for England.”
      England’s clash with Haiti could see Toone make her World Cup debut for her national side.
      The match at Brisbane Stadium will kick off at 10:30 am UK time this Saturday (July 22).
      And Sarina Wiegman’s team have been a bit goal shy of late having gone scoreless in the last three games. 
      Having Toone is confident the team will find their shooting boots and hopes to achieve her dream of scoring in the tournament.
      She adds: “We’re very confident and we know we’ve got a lot of goal scorers in the group so we’re definitely creating those chances. 
      “It’s now about making sure we put them in the back of the net.
      Toone and her team-mates hope to pick up their first win since beating Brazil in the Women’s Finalissima in MarchCredit: Getty
      “I manifest a lot of things before I play games. Half of them never happen but I’m having fun in my brain. 
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      “I’ve dreamt about scoring a goal in the World Cup since I was a little girl and I’ve dreamt about scoring at this one.  
      “As for the celebrations (side of things) I have absolutely no idea (what I’ll do).” More

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      ‘I hope more women start to coach’, says Lionesses chief Sarina Wiegman as she reflects on her managerial journey

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      SARINA WIEGMAN never dreamed the Women’s World Cup would become a showpiece event after playing in an experimental version. The experience set the England boss, 53, on a journey that now sees her aiming to lead the Lionesses to glory in this summer’s contest.
      Sarina Wiegman’s England will be begin their campaign to win the World Cup when they take on Haiti in Brisbane, Australia on July 22Credit: Getty
      The two-time Euros-winning boss has been reflecting on her journey in the game including playing in a Women’s World Cup test tournament in China in her teensCredit: Getty
      In 1988, an 18-year-old Wiegman was part of a Dutch women’s side that battled in a 12-team test event in China during a heatwave.
      That competition was a far cry from the 32-team spectacle kicking off in Australia and New Zealand on July 20.
      Back then some national players having to cover the cost of their flights and equipment.
      Wiegman, whose Lionesses will play Haiti in their group stage opener next Saturday, said: “That experience taught me ‘this is what I want’.  

      “As the Netherlands we weren’t great (at the time), but when we got into the tournament we actually did really well.
      “I think at that point we could have beaten Brazil, and I thought ‘this is what I want to do’, but there weren’t very many opportunities then.
      “I just really loved that tournament, I will never forget it.”
      Born in the Hague,  Wiegman, who is a mother-of-two, recalls growing up in an era where there was “nothing for women in football”.
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      Despite this challenge her parents supported her enthusiasm for the game.
      Fourteen years before Wiegman’s birth Dutch Ladies Soccer sides were banned from playing on fields belonging to men’s clubs linked with the Netherlands FA.   
      She adds: “When I was six years old or five years old, girls were not allowed to play football, but I just liked it.
      “My parents never made any (fuss), they just said ‘if you want to play football, you’re going to play’.
      “I knew in elementary school that I wanted to be a PE teacher. I just wanted to be involved in sports.
      “I didn’t even know I could be a coach because there was nothing for women in football.
      “I couldn’t see it so I didn’t think it was an opportunity.”
      It was at Fifa’s invitational contest in 1988 where Wiegman met Anson Dorrance, the trailblazing coach of North Carolina Tar Heels.
      The US college side are famous for nurturing elite players including England trio Lucy Bronze, Alessia Russo and Lotte Wubben-Moy.
      Wiegman, who led the Netherlands to the Women’s World Cup final four years ago, wants to see more women coaching at football’s highest levelsCredit: Getty
      Wiegman spent 1989 playing for Tar Heels under Dorrance who went on to guide the USA to their first Women’s World Cup win in 1991.
      She said: “In the Netherlands (at the time), we (female players) were not accepted.
      “I’d heard in the US that it was a sport that was accepted, and that the level was high.
      “I thought (to myself) ‘that’s where I want to be’.
      Following a 16-year playing career including two top-tier titles wins with Dutch side Ter Leede, Wiegman entered management in 2006.
      From doing my job I hope more women come into football. I want more females to start to coach.Sarina Wiegman
      She made history guiding the Netherlands to Euros glory in 2017 before doing the same with England last summer.
      A Women’s World Cup win has so far eluded Wiegman.
      She and the Netherlands endured heartbreak in four years ago when they were beaten in the final in France by the USA.
      That result has made her even more determined to win this year’s contest with her Lionesses.
      She adds: “I always want to win, we want to be the best.
      “We have so many talented players in the team and my job is to get clarity on how we play together.”
      Wiegman’s World Cup quest comes in the month Hannah Dingley made history by becoming the first female manager of an English Football League club.
      And she hopes to see more women becoming coaches.
      The England gaffer adds: “From doing my job I hope more women come into football.
      “I hope more females start to coach or take the next step and go to the highest level.
      “If I can push (this) a little more doing extra things, then I will.”
      The next few weeks will see the Lionesses face their biggest challenge to date under their boss just a year on from lifting a Euros trophy at Wembley.
      While the Lionesses’ success on the field made Wiegman proud, she takes even more pride in her players campaign.
      Wiegman says the social consciousness of England’s players makes her proudCredit: PA
      In particular England lobbying politicians to introduce equal access to football for girls in schools.
      The head coach said: “I’m incredibly proud of their social consciousness. 
      “They really want to have a positive impact on society and a positive change.
      “Now what we try to do is keep performing, keep being visible and keep using our voices to also sustain and make positive changes.”
      While there has been much change in the Women’s World Cup since the Fifa test tournament three decades ago, Wiegman acknowledges there is still much to do. 
      Squad pay, poor training facilities and lack of financial support for teams were among the concerns flagged by scores of players competing in this summer’s contest. 
      The Lionesses drew 0-0 with Canada in a practice game eight days before their World Cup Group D opening match against Haiti on July 22Credit: PA
      They includes WSL stars competing for sides such as Jamaica and Canada. 
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      Of the World Cup’s evolution she added: “Twenty years ago I would not have expected to be in this situation or women’s football would be where  it is now.
      “I’m grateful things have changed, but there’s still a long way to go.” More