Euro 2022 LIVE: England players lauded by thousands at Trafalgar Square victory party
Thousands of fans gathered in London to celebrate after Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses end 56 years of hurt to win Euro 2022 for England
England hosted a victory party at Trafalgar Square on Monday afternoon, after the Lionesses defeated Germany 2-1 in the Euro 2022 final to claim their first ever major title in front of a record 87,192 crowd on home soil.
The match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes and the sides could not be separated until 110th minute when England substitute Chloe Kelly reacted quickest to a loose ball from a corner and poked in the winner. England confidently held out for the final 10 minutes of the game as euphoria and relief rang out around Wembley - and the nation - as the magnitude of what they’d just achieved hit home. Sarina Wiegman’s victory press conference was interrupted by jublient players singing and dancing on the tables, the start of celebrations which ran long into the night.
The players and manager were all awarded the freedom of the city of London following the triumph, which was England’s first major tournament victory since the men won the World Cup in 1966. Thousands were in Trafalgar Square for the celebration of the team’s achievement, which was shown live on the BBC.
Follow all the reaction and latest updates following England’s success at Euro 2022:
Anita Asante on football in schools: ‘Hopefully this win will inspire that shift’
Asante, who is a first-team coach at Women’s Championship club Bristol City, believes the impact of success will be just as great off the field.
“People talk about inspiring the next generation but it is beyond that now,” she added.
“There are boys, girls, men and women of all ages that have got really behind and felt connected to this England side and that is the shift there is now, that value and respect of the women’s game at this level.
“Now it is about transferring this momentum to the WSL this season, making sure the fan experience is good and clubs are proactive in efficiently advertising their games.
“BBC and Sky have committed to showing the games and that is going to go a long way to supporting the long-term legacy of what this tournament has done.”
Over the last 10 years there has been a £50million National Lottery investment in women’s football and during the tournament a further £2m was allocated for a new grassroots girls programme later this summer, with £1m having already been invested in getting more women playing in each of the host cities.
And Asante believes the Lionesses’ victory could also help change policy.
“We have seen a roll back of exercise and PE in schools but kids spend lots of hours at school and it is rare opportunity to give the new generation of girls, in particular, the opportunity to play football,” she said.
“I think there is 40 per cent - maybe more - of girls in school who cannot access football and that has to change.
“Hopefully this win will inspire that shift so people within the game and who have power within the structure of schools can support it.
“It is about opportunities for everyone and that is part of the inclusive part of the game, we want everyone to be able to get access.”
Anita Asante: Euro win will empower England to reach new levels
Former England international Anita Asante believes the “psychological empowerment” of winning Euro 2022 will push the Lionesses to new levels.
Chloe Kelly’s extra-time goal at Wembley sealed a 2-1 victory over Germany as Sarina Wiegman’s side claimed the first major trophy in their history.
It was also first major tournament triumph for a senior England team since the men’s 1966 World Cup triumph over West Germany.
Asante, who was a member of the side beaten by Germany in the 2009 Euros final, said winning a trophy changes everything.
“From a football perspective, psychologically it is really empowering to know you are the dominant team in Europe at the moment and can play anyone and win,” she told the PA news agency.
“That allows the team to feel they can strive to new levels. There are a lot of young players in this team, they have many years ahead of them and so many tournaments to come it can motivate them further to establish real dominance at international level.
“It shifts the narrative. We sing ‘all the years of hurt’ and that has been intrinsic to our culture of football as a national team, but I do think there is a massive shift now and winning a tournament reinvigorates that belief in what our football teams can do.
“The men got to the (Euro) final last year and that was a wonderful achievement as well but this is fantastic for the women’s game at the moment as they also have the World Cup (next year) so we can build on this excitement.”
‘I saw my opportunity. I took it'
England goalkeeper Mary Earps memorably danced on the table during Wiegman’s press conference on Sunday night.
Explaining her decision, the Manchester United keeper told Lionesses Live: “I saw my moment. I saw my opportunity. I took it. I felt like it was the perfect moment to get on a table.
“If you can’t get on a table after you’re the European champion, when can you?”
England’s Euro 2022 win is not an ending – it’s just the start
Here’s our reporter Mark Critchley on a historic night at Wembley and why it’s just the start:
The morning after the historic night before, it is worth checking in on the Football Association’s eight-point Women’s & Girls’ Football Strategy, 2020-2024: Inspiring Positive Change, with particular attention paid to point six. “England: win an international tournament,” it reads. Well, there you go. Job done. A whole two years ahead of schedule as well.
Except it isn’t job done, actually. Far from it. And you could tell that much at Wembley, too.
England’s Euro 2022 win is not an ending – it’s just the start
Winning a major tournament was the easy part compared to the slow process of inspiring wider change, but this is a sport that knows where it has been and is focused on where it is going
England fan Tess, 8, celebrates with Euro 2022 trophy after stealing nation’s hearts singing Sweet Caroline
An eight-year-old England fan who stole the nation’s hearts when she was caught on camera singing to “Sweet Caroline” celebrated the Lionesses’ historic win with the Euro 2022 trophy.
The young schoolgirl attended the final and was given the chance to lift the trophy by the BBC. She was interviewed by Gabby Logan before the game and told the presenter: “I feel like we can win this match.”
Tess, whose favourite player is England forward Alessia Russo, was surprised on air before the game with the gift of shirt the footballer wore when she backheeled the ball into Sweden’s goal in the semi-final.
England fan Tess, 8, celebrates with Euro 2022 trophy after stealing nation’s hearts
Schoolgirl surprised by match-worn shirt and video message from favourite player Alessia Russo
Sarina Wiegman: 'English people can drink!’
England boss Sarina Wiegman enjoyed her night of celebrations.
She told Lionesses Live: “(It was) crazy. Lots of music, lots of dancing. English people can drink!
“A little bit too much alcohol, I think. But that’s OK. We enjoyed it. When you have these accomplishments, it’s really good to have a party.”
England’s players emerge from team hotel this morning
England's players emerged bleary-eyed from the team hotel this morning after a long night of partying.
The players celebrated on the lawn of the Lensbury Resort before taking the party inside until 4am, and many of the stars of their Euro 2022 final victory came out around 9am looking a little worse for wear.
Who can blame them?
The story behind Chloe Kelly’s celebration
England’s Chloe Kelly channelled Brandi Chastain when she took off her shirt after netting the winner against Germany in the Women’s Euros final on Sunday, with the celebration receiving a stamp of approval from the former United States player herself.
Kelly scored in the second half of extra time at Wembley Stadium and threw off her shirt in jubilation, 23 years on from when Chastain did the same after converting the decisive penalty in the 1999 World Cup final against China.
“I see you @Chloe_Kelly98 well done. Enjoy the free rounds of pints and dinners for the rest of your life from all of England. Cheers!” she tweeted.
Chastain later added that she was headed to England soon and the two could enjoy the victory together.
Kelly’s celebration, which is rare in the women’s game, earned her a booking but it was all worth it in the end as England clinched their first major trophy with a 2-1 win in front of a record home crowd.
England are on their way!
The bus carrying England’s squad has departed their team hotel for the trip to Trafalgar Square...
England have changed the way the country sees women’s football
England’s historic Euros triumph has changed the way the women’s game is viewed, a former player has said, as thousands of fans gear up to celebrate the Lionesses’ victory in central London.
England beat Germany 2-1 after extra time in front of 87,000 supporters at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, securing the first major tournament title for the country since 1966.
Up to 7,000 supporters will have the opportunity to join the team at an event hosted by ex-player Alex Scott in Trafalgar Square from 11am on Monday.
Scott, a former England international, said the Lionesses’ win would be a game changer in terms of raising the profile of women’s football.
She told BBC Breakfast: “These Lionesses have raised the bar. They have changed the way women’s football is viewed in this country.
“The train has left the station and it is gathering pace. It will be tragic to take any steps back after what we have witnessed yesterday and through the whole tournament.
“There must be an opportunity for every single girl to play football if they want to.”
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