In Switzerland, at a distance of less than a month since the onset of female euros, England entered the tournament as a defending champion in the tournament, with the world at number 4 and with memories of success.
Vambali stadium sat in the dressing room, where those Euro 2022 ceremonies took place, Lioness Head coach Sarina Wigman recalled a group of players and a nation, who were not only ready to win, but were desperate to lift some silver utensils.
However, he recalled that the feeling was eager to extinguish the pre-euros.
“I have talked to many people even before the tournament begins, and many players said that they were desperate to win a tournament. So, I asked them to take off the word ‘desperate’ and just do everything to get ready and stay in their best,” Wiegman recently told CNN Sports.
That mindset change he found him on a long -awaited Finnish line in Wambley in 2022, but the 2025 tournament in Switzerland brings a new cycle and fresh challenges with him.
The scenario of women and girls football has changed dramatically in England, and since globally, since Shernis epic win.
The FA reports an increase of 56% in women and girls playing beautiful games from 2020. After completing the target of 75% of schools, after providing similar access to football a year ago in England, the governing body has set a new target of 90% schools that offer boys football to offer girls’ football by 2028. In addition, according to investment and revenue, according to the delete.
With rapid growth, although challenges come. Chelsea’s defender Milli Bright spoke openly about the impact of the game on mental health, posting about fan misbehavior on his Instagram stories in February, saying, “Please I can remind you that we are not gathered as a player, we are not robots, we are humans with you.”
Wiegman touched a similar point in his interview, emphasizing the importance of helping the players adapt to the changes in competitive demands on the pitch. Demanding better facilities, scheduling and improving access is part of increasing pain.
“A lot of good things happened. Also, a lot of challenges with sports development. You know, we talk about the calendar, we talk about the outside world that whatever has changed, players are now domestic names. Which is very good, but also brings challenges because his life has changed,” Dutch-birth coaches said.
“There is still a relationship between players and different environment from different countries and is trying to support each other to improve facilities, or improve structures and address things. And I think it is beyond football.
“I think women in football help women in sports and women in society, and that, I think, there is a deep purpose,” said Vigmanain.
Wiegman’s teams – Netherlands and now England – have won the last two editions of the Women’s European Championship with two consecutive visits in the World Cup final on both sides of those win. No other manager has won the female euro since 2013.
Nevertheless, she is not thinking about the upcoming tournament as an opportunity in a personal three-beat, nor does she feel that his team is a lump sum preferred due to his victory three years ago.
“There are many countries that I think it’s favorite to win (Euro),” Wigman accepted.
“This is a new situation. Of course, I cherish the moments. I will never forget it. It was incredible, but we are now in a new position, going into a new euro. Everything starts again. Everything starts again. I would say at zero,” Lionus Head Coach said.
“We are moving forward, so we cherish that moment, we never forget it, but you have to move forward. If you are still standing, people will pass you and then you are doing it.”
Build-up, however, the title has stayed away from plain sailing for defense. On the pitch, England have won three, drawn one, and lost two matches in 2025.
Its closed, unexpected news continued to grow for the announcement of Viagman’s team earlier this month, as both former number one goalkeeper Mary Earps and veteran midfielder Fran Kirby both announced their retirement from international duty.
Additionally, 2023 World Cup captain Bright made himself unavailable for selection. Chelsea’s defender posted on Instagram, saying, “I am not able to give mentally or physically 100%” and have done knee surgery since then.
Combining that potential headache for Wiegman, a handful of major players are returning only from a long injury mantras. Lauren Ganja and Alex Greenwood both returned for the last three matches of the WSL season. Bayern Munich Middle Midfielder Georgia Stanway has played 60 minutes since only 60 minutes since December, after an operation on a lateral collateral ligament (LCL) tear in his right knee. And Forward Lauren James has not played a minute for a club or country since maintaining a hamstring injury in England’s 5–0 win over Belgium in early April.
Despite an chaotic week led by the team’s announcement, 13 players of that 2022 victory are in the squad. The chosen group has an average of 40 cap per player, which is only two less than the average for the previous version roster. The team has a lot of experience at its origin, while seven players are going to their first major tournaments.
The two -time Euro winning coach told CNN Sports, “I think we now have a new England team and we are in the transition, new players are coming. Some very experienced players are still. This is where we are standing right now.”
“I think we have a lot of quality. But let individuals bring together and cooperate in the best possible way, which brings us to the highest level.”
England reached their first World Cup final in 2023 and reached new heights. LionessAlthough lost 1–0 in Spain, with some people it was seen as a power shift in women’s European game.
La Roseja Despite the large on-the-pic and social issues, continues to compete at the highest level, which will be a team to complete successes and defeat this heat.
“I think, in the World Cup, he had a deep purpose, a high purpose. They have a very specific style of playing that is really good, which is attractive to see,” Wiegman appreciated.
“But we also showed that they also have some weaknesses, and this is what you are seeing in the game too. The level of level is increasing, and the countries are growing, teams are developing and trying to find out that they are trying to find out and are taking super forces and trying to find the weaknesses.”
Lioness Start your UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 campaign against World No. 11 France. And this is not easy because his next group D rival 2017 is the European Champion Netherlands.
The 55 -year -old England coach knows that anyone can win any day; The competition has never been rigid.
“We should be on this on the fifth of July. We play France. They are a very good team, and this is the same for them. Our group is really difficult, but we also know if you want to win a tournament, you must be in your best. And we need every player to contribute to the team’s performance.”
England Euro 2025 Squad: Hannah Hampton, Khiyara Keating, Anna Murhouse; Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Niyam Charles, Alex Greenwood, Maya Le Tysier, Esme Morgan, Lia Williamson, Lote Wuben-Moy; Grace Clinton, Jess Park, Georgia Stanway, Ella Tone, Keira Walsh; Michelle Egimang, Agi Beaver-Jones, Lauren Ganja, Lauren James, Cloe Kelly, Beth Mead, Alesia Russo
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