𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

It was, as Sarina Wiegman said, a “fairytale”. But Hannah Hampton had believed from the start, having proved everyone wrong just to reach Euro 2025. Even when Hampton overcame the doubts and the advice of doctors who said she would not become a goalkeeper, she did not believe the England fans would welcome her after replacing a legend between the posts in Mary Earps.

England manager Sarina Wiegman hailed her team for coming through the “most chaotic and ridiculous tournament we have played” after leading the Lionesses to Euro 2025 glory in Basel.

England defeated world champions Spain on penalties to defend their European title as Hannah Hampton made crucial saves in the shootout and Chloe Kelly scored the decisive kick.

The Lionesses led for just four minutes and 52 seconds during the knockout stages of the tournament, requiring comebacks and late goals to get over the line and become the first England team to win a major title on foreign soil.

England defender Lucy Bronze revealed she played through the entirety of Euro 2025 with a fractured tibia after becoming a two-time European champion with the Lionesses.

Bronze, 33, is the oldest member of England’s squad and started all six games during the tournament, including their dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Spain in the final. Bronze also defied injury to play a key part in England’s quarter-final comeback over Sweden.

“Chloe Kelly has been through so much this year and to see her score that winning penalty to bring back that trophy for England is so unbelievable…

“The journey this team has been in is something I’d never ever predict. To come back from the France game, to perform against the Netherlands and Wales and then the extra-time games, to be successful you need all 23 players and the staff as well all aligned. This mentality is scary.”

Former England captain Steph Houghton called the mentality of the Lionesses “scary” after they beat Spain 3-1 on penalties to retain their European title.

England have not always been at their best in this tournament, losing their opening game against France, then needing penalties to beat Sweden and extra time to see off Italy on their way to the final.

But they have repeatedly found a way as manager Sarina Wiegman made it three European titles in a row.

“It’s incredible, I’ve no words,” Houghton said on BBC Sport. “This England team never gives up. There’s been times in this tournament where they’ve had backs to the wall but that is the mentality of being a Lioness.”

And the Spanish royal family said:

“The Princess Leonor and the Princess Sofia have greeted the players of the Spanish Women’s Football Team. After the final, we are proud of you! Surely, with your quality and effort, many more successes will come.”

Starmer’s Spanish counter-part has also put out a message tonight:

“Champions, always. Our Women’s Spanish Football team, an example and pride of Spain.”

Sir Keir Starmer has also issued a statement:

“Champions! Congratulations Lionesses, what a team. What a game. What drama. You dug deep when it mattered most and you’ve made the nation proud. History makers.”

The King has issued a statement congratulating England on their triumph – and setting them a new challenge.

“For more years than I care to remember, England fans have sung that famous chant ‘football’s coming home’. As you return home with the trophy you won at Wembley three years ago, it is a source of great pride that, through sporting skill and awesome teamwork, the Lionesses have made those words ring true.

“Well done, Lionesses. The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can!”

“We said we can win by any means and that’s what we have shown again today. I am so proud of the team and the staff. It is incredible.

“I just can’t believe it, but I have a medal around my neck and we have a trophy. It has been the most chaotic tournament on the pitch – all the challenges we had on the pitch against our opponents.

“From the first game it was chaos. Losing your first game and becoming European champions is incredible. Football is chaos.”