[ad_1]
Leah Williamson has said England are “aware” and “connected” to what it would mean for the nation if they were to beat Spain in Sunday’s Women’s Euros final.
The Lionesses have led a charmed life in the knockout stages of the tournament they won at Wembley four years ago.
England captain Williamson was asked by Sky News’ Rob Harris at a news conference what it would mean to have the chance to lift a trophy again, and if she could grasp what it would mean for the nation.
“I think we are connected to what it means to the nation, as connected as we can be being away from home,” she said. “The opportunity of tomorrow and what’s on offer is the best thing in football.
“We came to the tournament and wanted to be in it until the end, and have a chance to fight for that trophy.
“I think we don’t necessarily carry the weight of it [the expectations] and how much it means to people, but we are aware of it because it means the same to us.
“We recognise the opportunity and will do everything we can to take it.”
Read more from Sky News:
Sarina Wiegman on the Euros final
From ball girl to teenage super-sub: Who is England’s Michelle Agyemang?
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Lionesses train ahead of the final
England needed two late goals to stay in the quarter-final against Sweden before winning in a penalty shootout.
They looked to be out in the semi-final against Italy before Michelle Agyemang equalised deep in added time, and Chloe Kelly scored a 119th-minute winner with another shootout imminent.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Did the Lionesses change women’s football?
Having needed some good fortune to reach the final, the Lionesses now face the Spain team that beat them 1-0 in the World Cup final in Sydney in 2023.
And while Williamson acknowledged that their opponents are “the best at what they do”, she doesn’t believe that England are the underdogs going into Sunday’s battle.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
England through to Euros final: How it happened
“We need to be at our best to beat Spain,” she said. “I think they need to be at their best to beat us too.
“I don’t think there’s a clear underdog in this but we go in against the world champions tomorrow and that’s not an easy job. We’ll prepare as best we can for that challenge.”
England boss Sarina Wiegman said her side would “do everything” to win in Basel.
Sarina Wiegman sits on the bench during the Women’s Euro 2025 quarter-finals. Pic: AP
She also admitted to feeling nerves on the sidelines in big moments, despite maintaining a steely demeanour.
“I’m having a heart attack too, I just don’t show it,” she said. “We want to be best prepared. We try to prepare on what can happen in the game and what we need. That is how the squad is built.
“We figured out what we need if we need to change things. We have spoken through all the scenarios but during the game, it’s what you think is necessary. When we want to change, we can do it.”
She also revealed that forward Lauren James would be available, despite having been forced off at half-time of the Lionesses’ extra-time semi-final comeback.
“We had 23 players on the pitch today and everyone came through, so if everyone recovers well then we have 23 players available for tomorrow,” Wiegman said.
“I think we have many players that can impact, and we know that [James] can have an impact too, so that will be nice.”
[ad_2]
Source link