Key events
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We are lucky enough to have the US Women’s National team head coach and former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes on board as a columnist this month. Here is what she had to say in her latest column…
Lester Broom emailed in to say:
“The Women’s Euros have been a glorious feast of Football, and should remind the Men’s game, that it’s not cool to swear at officials, have punch ups, or drink too much, but I think that’s expecting too much, and all of these things will continue. Meanwhile the Women’s game will continue to flourish as it gives a much better experience for children on Match Day, just as the WSL does in the UK.”
Today’s match officials:
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Referee: Stéphanie Frappart
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Assistant referees: Camille Soriano, Francesca di Monte
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Fourth official: Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi
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Reserve assistant referee: Susanne Küng
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VAR: Willy Delajod
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Assistant VAR: Christian Dingert
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VAR supervisor: Dennis Higler
Peter Lansley has messaged in to say:
“It’s exciting however you watch the Lionesses from home but there’s a tricky dilemma here: do you keep watching it (humanly) solo, debating potential substitutions with Jude (the dog), so that you can immerse yourself wholly in the game and the unfolding tactical narrative, or invite the neighbours round who started watching casually at their homes until this stage when they now think it would be great to get together as we do for the men’s tournaments. But you know they’ll then start asking stuff like ‘How would this England team get on against a men’s team?’ and ‘Why do so many of them have ponytails?’.
“Still, England competing in finals is fantastic and worth sharing. Extending more people’s consciousness of the women’s game incrementally helps.
“Also, can we just hear for it for Dan Ashworth, Sir Trevor Brooking, Kelly Simmons and all those who made SGP our national football hub. Since then, and over the past six years, England have been to five senior finals, men and women, and the men’s U21s have twice won their Euros. More kids are playing enjoyable, safe and better quality football. It’s not a coincidence.”
While retaining their title is the big aim for the Lionesses this summer, their run to the Euro 2025 final in Switzerland has already delivered a broader success – another huge uplift in visibility for the women’s game, at elite and grassroots level.
England and Spain will both wear their home kits today in the final. Spain are set to wear red shorts.
Wolfgang Hamann is heading to the match in Basel this evening:
“I’ll be in the stadium watching with a new found friend from Costa Rica. We met at one of the quarter finals, she put me in touch with another friend from Chile who I took to the Germany – Spain game because my son had to return home early. Football really does bring the world together.”
Jonathan Liew
After the traumatic fallout from their 2023 World Cup triumph, Spain are fighting for more than just a trophy today…
As always, I want to hear from you today! Feel free to message me with any thoughts, feelings, score predictions and all that jazz. Also, let me know your plans for the final! Where are you watching from? Are you in Switzerland? Heading to Boxpark? Or will you be watching from home? Let me know!
Richard Lapworth has messaged in to say:
“Wow. So excited. Let’s hope the “proper English” show up. Spain are going to be so good going forward. England expects… and prays for victory. Go Lionesses!”
Suzanne Wrack
Few could have predicted the rollercoaster of emotions England would take us on across five games, and trying to guess an outcome of a mouthwatering final between the European Championship holders and World Cup winners is futile as a result…
England fans, if anything is going to get you excited ahead of the match, it’s this…
Lauren James is expected to be available for England this evening after completing a full training session with no issues yesterday, meaning the Lionesses should have a full squad going into the clash.
Spain are also expected to have a full 23-player squad available for the match.
Preamble
Today is the day.
England face Spain this evening in the Euro 2025 final, a rematch of the 2023 World Cup final of which La Roja clinched a 1-0 win. Spain go into the clash having won each of their five games at the tournament so far, while the Lionesses have lost one and endured two near-misses along the way.
Nevertheless, England captain Leah Williamson is confident that her team can deliver on the biggest European stage once again.
I’ll be with you throughout the day, counting down to kick-off and bringing you the latest from Switzerland.
Join me!