If you’d asked fans at the beginning of the tournament whether England could pull off back-to-back European titles, many might have hesitated.
But on a magical night in Basel, Chloe Kelly smashed home the winning goal and made the dream a reality.
As the ball hit the net, England not only claimed another trophy, but they wrapped up a campaign filled with grit, unity, and heart.
Wiegman’s Right-Hand Man Gets a Sweet Farewell
Before the celebrations kicked off, Sarina Wiegman’s first move was a heartfelt one.
She immediately embraced Arjan Veurink, her trusted assistant and tactical partner.
Having stood by her side for years, Veurink now heads back to the Netherlands—and there couldn’t have been a better send-off.
Emotions Overflow on the Pitch and Beyond
Wiegman wasn’t done yet. She sprinted to Chloe Kelly, swept her off the ground, and planted a big kiss on her cheek—pure joy.
The celebrations spilled from the stadium to the team’s Zurich hotel, where family and friends welcomed the squad with banners reading “One Family.”
Wearing special ‘Champions 25’ shirts, the players partied into the early morning hours, joined by a familiar furry face: Reggie the Cavapoo, their unofficial tournament mascot.
Late-Night Karaoke and Football Anthems
No Lioness celebration is complete without a little music.
Ella Toone took over the mic, belting out River Deep, Mountain High in honor of teammate Rachel Daly.
Iconic anthems like Sweet Caroline and Freed from Desire blasted through the speakers, as Leah Williamson proudly showed off the trophy and cut a celebratory cake with Wiegman.
How the Team Rebuilt After a Rocky Start
The road to glory wasn’t smooth. England opened the tournament with a tough loss to France.
That game raised plenty of eyebrows, especially given the drama before the tournament started—three key players dropped out, and fans were nervous about the squad’s readiness.
But rather than fall apart, the Lionesses regrouped.
Lucy Bronze reminded the team of their similar stumble in the 2019 World Cup and how they bounced back to reach the semi-finals.
That message lit a fire, and England responded with dominant wins over the Netherlands and Wales, scoring 10 goals in two matches.
Grit and Glory in the Knockout Rounds
Once in the knockout stage, the matches got tighter and the pressure higher.
Sweden in the quarter-finals pushed England to their limits.
Bronze stepped up, scored the opener, and roared with intensity—kicking ad boards, slamming the ball in fury.
Then came Agyemang with a crucial goal, followed by a nerve-shredding penalty shootout.
Esme Morgan nailed the final penalty after a cheeky message from Wiegman—“Save us GOAT”—which she clearly took to heart.
The Italy Game and Some Tactical Questions
Against Italy, England found themselves trailing early but didn’t panic.
Late subs like Kelly and rising star Michelle Agyemang turned the tide.
Wiegman, famous for her calm and collected demeanor, had a makeup bag with the bold message: “Bs get s done.”** Safe to say, the message landed.
While some questioned her delayed substitutions, there’s no denying the team’s chemistry and unity were off the charts.
Blocking Out the Noise and Sticking Together
The squad faced harsh criticism—some fair, some not.
Racist abuse aimed at Jess Carter was a low point, and it left many players shaken.
But it also brought the team closer, especially younger players like Agyemang, Keating, and Lauren James.
Several players, following Keira Walsh’s lead, stepped away from social media.
Instead, they focused inward, leaned on each other, and kept their eyes on the prize.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Change
With Bronze and Greenwood nearing retirement and Veurink heading home, there are some big shoes to fill.
The defensive line, in particular, will need reinforcing.
But the future still looks incredibly bright.
Players like Walsh (28), Stanway (26), Hemp (24), and James (23) have already proven their worth—and they’re just getting started.
Sarina Wiegman Isn’t Going Anywhere
If there’s one constant in this evolving story, it’s Sarina Wiegman.
The FA made it clear long before the final whistle: she’s here to stay.
And with another trophy to her name, that decision looks smarter than ever.
As Ella Toone summed it up perfectly: “We know we’re in good hands.
We fight for each other, but we fight for Sarina and the staff too.”