Women’s Euro 2022

ELLEN WHITE shared a heartwarming message in honour of her baby girl and the hospital where she welcomed her daughter. On Monday night the retired Lioness posted a picture via social media of her husband Callum Convery carrying their newborn child.
Ellen White celebrated the arrival of a newborn baby with husband Callum ConveryCredit: Getty
The retired England heroine shared a picture via her social media of her husband carrying their little girlCredit: Twitter: @ellsbells89
White, 33, called time on her trophy-laden playing career last August after helping England win the Women’s Euros at Wembley in July.
And in December the Lionesses’ record goal scorer and former Manchester City striker announced she was expecting her first child. 
On Monday evening White shared a ‘thank you’ message to hospital staff at Tameside and Glossop Integrated NHS Foundation Trust. 
In a post shared on Twitter and Instagram along with a photo of her husband and daughter, she wrote: “Best Daddy carrying our beautiful baby girl. 
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“We are so utterly besotted with you and you are so blinking cute.
“We are extremely grateful to all the professionals @tandgicft for your incredible support & dedication in helping with the safe arrival of our daughter.”
Dozens of football fans and White’s former club and country team-mates took to Instagram to congratulate the Lionesses legend. 
In a reply to White’s news, Man City captain Steph Houghton wrote: “So proud of you! So much love coming your way.”
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Leicester City forward Aileen Whelan posted: “Congratulations to you both. Best days of your life are on their way.”
Ellen White made 113 senior appearances for the Lionesses helping the team a first Euros trophy win last yearCredit: PA
And Lucy Bronze, Hannah Hampton, Fara Williams and Caroline Weir are among the other aces who posted congratulatory messages. 
During her 17-year senior playing career White made 113 appearances for England.
The Buckinghamshire-born notched up 52 goals becoming the Lionesses’ all-time top scorer before hanging up her boots. More

ENGLAND hero Chloe Kelly swapped the football pitch for some well deserved downtime and wowed her team-mates and celebs in the process. Kelly scored the extra-time winner in the Euro 2022 Women’s final to land the Lionesses their first-ever major trophy.
Chloe Kelly enjoyed some ‘downtime’Credit: https://www.instagram.com/chloekelly/
She posed while wearing matching white cardigan and bikiniCredit: https://www.instagram.com/chloekelly/
As she wowed team-mate’s and celeb’s alikeCredit: https://www.instagram.com/chloekelly/
Kelly memorably celebrated her goal in the Women’s Euros final by taking her shirt off and waving it over her headCredit: PA
She was back in action during the inaugural Women’s Finalissima against Brazil, netting the winning penalty in the shootout.
But after the international action finished, Kelly took the chance to relax before heading back to finish the Women’s Super League season with Manchester City.
Kelly shared some snaps of herself in a white linen cardigan and bikini while wearing some sunglasses by a water feature.
With 510,000 followers on Instagram, the post soon reached a wide audience, including team-mate’s and celebs.
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England duo Alex Greenwood and Ellie Roebuck were among the first to comment.
Greenwood said: “Ckk😍🔥”, while Roebuck added: “Ok ok😍.”
Rachel Day also joined the comments, saying: “Sallllyyy🔥.”
Man City team-mate Alanna Kennedy said: “BB 🔥.”
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Former I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here winner Vicky Pattinson joined in with the praise.
She commented: “Wow mate 😍.”
Fans added their own reaction to the mix too.
One said: “Enjoy Chlo 👏🏾🔥.”
A second said: “Stunning CK 🤩.”
A third remarked: “Chloe 😍😍😍🔥.”

Kelly made headlines with her wild celebration following her winning goal against Germany, swinging her top above her head as she wheeled off in ecstacy.
Four teams remain in contention to win the WSL this season, though Kelly’s Man City are currently bottom of this pile, sitting three points behind league leaders Manchester United.
Kelly scored the winning penalty in the recent FinalissimaCredit: Getty
She will return to action for Man City to try and help them win the WSLCredit: Getty More

CHLOE KELLY was the toast of Wembley AGAIN after sealing England’s glorious Finalissima triumph over Brazil.The Manchester City star struck the winning penalty to secure a 4-2 shootout triumph just eight months after her strike won Euro 2022 for the Lionesses.
The Lionesses celebrate winning the Finalissima after beating Brazil in the finalCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Chloe Kelly lets the emotion out after sealing another momentous win for EnglandCredit: Rex
Ella Toone fires England ahead in the 1-1 draw before a 4-2 shoot-out winCredit: Rex
Kelly said: “I looked the keeper in the eye and thought I’m going to score.”
It extended England’s unbeaten run to a staggering 30 matches.
Her long striding run and deadly finish saw Sarina Wiegman’s side overcome a rude awakening from a battling Brazil team.
The delighted forward: “It’s great being back here at Wembley in front of our home fans. They were brilliant again tonight.
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“This feels like home to me. It’s brilliant to be back here. It was an excellent performance from the girls and we keep moving forward.
“I was just excited for it. I calmed myself down and was ready to take it.
“We’re made of great people here. Staff and players. It’s about moving forward and being ready for July.
“It was a different challenge here tonight. We are building momentum and now we have to keep moving forward.”
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It was a result that saw them reach the 30-game unbeaten mark under Wiegman.
The last duel between the sides at the famous ground ended in a 2-1 loss for a home team then managed by Phil Neville.
Back then the Lionesses faced a Brazil outfit featuring Selecao legends Marta and Formiga plus rumoured Arsenal target Debinha.
But this game was a different affair with Wiegman’s Euros winners facing a much more youthful Brazil side.
England got off to a solid start with the Copa America Feminina champs pinned into their own for large chunks of the first half.
The crowd roared for a penalty when Alessia Russo was fouled by Rafaelle after latching on to Lucy Bronze’s classy fifth-minute pass over Brazil’s defence.  But the  forward was waved offside.
The first real chance fell to Barcelona star Bronze, who was among the match’s standout performers.
The England full-back leathered the ball towards goal from just outside the 18-yard box, forcing a diving save from shot stopper Leticia in the 13th minute.
Brazil attempted to get their attack going with Geyse’s shot deflected out for a corner.
Kelly calmly slots the Finalissima clincher following her Euro 2022 winnerCredit: Getty
Andressa Alves snatches Brazil’s last gasp leveller ahead of penaltiesCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
The deadlock was broken in the 23rd minute when England carved the visitors backline open with Bronze teeing up Ella Toone to slam the ball home.
And the hosts saw a goal disallowed with Lauren James flagged offside near the half-hour mark and Bronze’s header from a corner bouncing wide close to half-time.
The second spell saw Brazil ring the changes with Andressa Alves and Adriana coming on for Lauren and Zaneratto.
And it made the difference with Andressa pouncing in the third minute of injury time to take the duel to penalties after Mary Earps spilled the ball.
But the Manchester United goalkeeper made amends to pull off a brilliant save from Tamires as England won the shootout 4-2 to lift a first Women’s Finalissima trophy.
Former England and Manchester City goalkeeper Karen Bardsley said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “I love the celebrations.
“Everyone went straight to Mary Earps, and she is just drinking it in and going and celebrating with the crowd.
“Again, it speaks to the mentality of this team. They love winning.”
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ENGLAND: Earps, Bronze, Williamson, Greenwood, Carter, Stanway, Walsh, Toone, Hemp (Robinson 88), Russo (Daly 74), James  (Kelly 74). Booked: Earps, Hemp.
BRAZIL: Leticia, Kathellen, Lauren (Andressa 46), Rafaelle, Antonia (Gabi Nunes 87), Ary (Fernanda 87), Luana  (Duda 69), Kerolin, Tamires, Zaneratto (Adriana  46), Geyse. Booked: Rafaelle.  More

TO lift a Euros trophy on home soil would be a ‘dream come true’ for Magda Eriksson. The Chelsea captain and Sweden centre-back is backing a bid that could see her country make history as one of four co-hosts of the tournament in 2025.
Magda Eriksson is championing a bid for Sweden to co-host the 2025 Women’s Euros along with Denmark, Finland and NorwayCredit: Getty
The Chelsea captain says the Blues are hungry to triumph in Europe in addition to the WSL and FA Cup this termCredit: Getty
Emma Hayes’ side will face Lyon in a Champions League quarter-final tie on WednesdayCredit: PA
Along with Blues and Denmark ace Pernille Harder, Eriksson is supporting a push for the Euros to be held in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.
The bid is being backed football chiefs and governments representing the four countries.
If successful it would see the Euros take place in four countries for the first time ever in two years’ time.  
Eriksson told SunSport: “On a personal level I would love to experience (playing in a home Euros).
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“I didn’t get the chance to play last time (when Sweden hosted in 2013) as I was too young.
“To play in a joint one hosted by Scandinavian nations would be an amazing opportunity.
“It would also be a cool statement because there are some great shared values that we have and Pernille and I of course represent Sweden and Denmark in this way.
“It feels really natural and nice for us to be able to help out.”
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Sweden, who won the first Women’s Euros back in 1984, have been a force on the international stage for almost four decades.
In that time they have reached a World Cup final, four European Championship finals and won silver medals at two Olympics games.
Last summer Eriksson and her team-mates reached the Euros semis where they were beaten by the Lionesses who went on to lift the trophy at Wembley.  
The WSL star, who has 93 senior international caps, admits to feeling envious of England’s experience of winning the contest on home soil.
She added: “We all felt the joy of the Lionesses.
“We all felt a bit jealous of it, because it must be an amazing feeling winning a Euros and doing it on home ground in front of your home fans.
“It would be a dream come true and definitely something that would motivate me to work even harder to be as fit and sharp as possible.”
At club level, Eriksson and Chelsea return to action in Europe tomorrow facing Lyon in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.
Ada Hegerberg returned to training for Lyon this month after being sidelined by a leg injuryCredit: AP
The match comes three months after the Blues brushed Paris Saint-Germain aside in a 3-0 group stage win at Stamford Bridge.
Their trip to the Groupama Stadium will see them play Lyon for the first time in the tournament since losing a semis duel in April 2019.
It also comes six months after the French league leaders, who were hit by a swathe of injuries early this term, fell to a 5-1 group stage loss to Arsenal.
Eriksson added: “We’re hungrier now especially after losing the Conti Cup final.
“We’re really hungry for all three (trophies) left and that is where our mindset is.
“Lyon are a powerhouse. I think we sometimes forget how much they have achieved as a club because of the focus on Barcelona in recent years.
“They have a hugely experienced team with really good players. It’s going to be an extremely tough game across the two legs.”
While Lyon are without midfield aces Amandine Henry and Catarina Macario and centre-back Griedge Mbock they have been boosted by the return of defender Ellie Carpenter.
And star striker Ada Hegerberg returned to training earlier this month being sidelined following a leg knock last September.
Eriksson said: “We’re going to have to be on it and I feel we’ve learned a lot this year.
“I’m hoping we can take every learning we’ve had from playing PSG and losing to Arsenal recently and apply them in this period we’re going into now
“It’s going to be an extremely hectic period with a lot of tough games.
“I feel like we’re really prepared for it and we can use the experience that we have.
“It’s not like Lyon are the only experienced team nowadays. 
“We’ve also gained a lot of experience over the years which I hope we can apply.”
Champions League aside, Eriksson hopes players in the women’s game will continue to use their platform to battle for equality on and off the pitch.
This month 150 national team players signed a letter which Fifpro sent to Fifa calling for equal prize money for the Women’s World Cup.
Last week Fifa president Gianni Infantino announced the prize pot for the 2027 tournament would match the money awarded in the men’s contest.
Eriksson added: “It’s a huge step in the right direction.  
“I hope we can have the same dialogue with Uefa for the future, especially considering how successful the Euros in England were.
Sonia Bompastor hopes to guide Lyon to a ninth Champions League trophy following their tournament win last yearCredit: Getty
“I hope we keep driving standards and pushing for issues we feel are important for us and using our platforms the way we have been.
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“I really hope that’s something that won’t go away.
“It’s is part of the DNA of women’s football that makes it unique.” More

LUCY BRONZE hailed the Lionesses’ legacy as the government pledged to provide equal sports access for school pupils.The England star welcomed the move that will see schools asked to provide two hours of PE for girls and boys per week. 
Lucy Bronze wants girls across the country to have more opportunities to play footballCredit: Getty
The Lionesses’ call for action after the Euros has led to a government pledge to ensure children have two hours of PE lessons at school every weekCredit: PA
Leah Williamson praised Lotte Wubben-Moy for the the role she played in instigating the Lionesses’ call via an open letterCredit: Getty
This includes girls having equal access to all sports at school including football.
It follows the Lionesses’ open letter to Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, spearheaded by Lotte Wubben-Moy and sent days after their historic Euros triumph. 
Last August all 23 members of Sarina Wiegman’s squad called on then prime ministerial candidates to ensure football is offered as part of PE to all girls at school.
Bronze, 31, said: “It’s nice to think we played a small part with the Euros and we’re able to create a legacy to help make changes and help with equity within women’s football and women’s sport in general.
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“Hopefully we can keep pushing to make these changes, whether it’s in inner city areas, getting more facilities, resources, or pushing the curriculum in schools to help girls get to play the sport that we grew up loving so much.
“It’s important that sports be made an important part of people’s lives because it’s generally just good for you.”
Bronze was sharing her thoughts as PM Sunak and education secretary Gillian Keegan announced a revamped school sport action plan. 
The plan has been backed by investment including £600 million in funding for the PE and sport premium over the next two academic years.
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The premium is used by schools to support improvements to the quality of their PE and sports education.
At present 67 per cent of all schools and 41 per cent of secondary schools provide football equally to girls in PE  lessons. 
And 46 per cent of schools deliver the same extracurricular sports opportunities as boys.
Bronze added: “That’s where schools can play a big part.
“This was part of the letter we wrote after the Euros (calling for) increasing the time that girls can have to play football and other sports as well in general.
“It’s important that sports be made an important part of people’s lives because it’s generally just good for you.”
Lionesses captain Leah Williamson, 25, said: “The (Euros) success of last summer has inspired so many young girls to pursue their passion for football.
“We see it as our responsibility to open the doors for them to do so and this announcement makes that possible.
“This is the legacy that we want to live much longer than us as a team. 
“On behalf of all the Lionesses players, we’d like to thank our teammate Lotte Wubben-Moy as a driving force behind this transformational change.
“We couldn’t be prouder to stand alongside her and we all look forward to seeing the impact this legacy creates.”
The government says schools will be offered strengthened guidance on how to spend the funding including guidelines on equal access. 
Those who are successful in providing opportunities will be awarded through via the Schools Game Mark. 
This is a system which assesses parity in the provision of PE and extracurricular sports activities. 
FA chief Mark Bullingham says equal access to football for girls could help transform the future of the women’s gameCredit: PA
FA’s chief executive said: “The magic of last summer’s Euros victory can now  live on with a legacy that has the ability to change the future of women’s football and positively  impact society. 
“Equal access for girls is one of the FA’s strategic ambitions and for such progress to be made is a  very proud day. 
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“We’re all extremely grateful to the players for using their voice to deliver change.
“We would like to place on record our thanks to the government for the positive measures  announced today.” More