England manager Sarina Wiegman has praised the Lionesses for using their platform, reaching a third successive final to advocate for “positive change in society” while focused on defending their Euros title.
In an interview with Sky News, she spoke about how, if the “incredible support” throughout the tournament in Switzerland is matched by an incredible performance, that can “bring us the win” against Spain on Sunday.
But while progressing, the team has called out social media abuse after defender Jess Carter faced racism online.
Players used winning their first trophy in 2022 as a springboard to lobby the government to advocate for more access to football for girls.
“I think that’s the high purpose of women’s football,” Weigman told Sky News when asked about players as campaigners while achieving sporting excellence.
“Of course it’s England and we want to win, but there’s a bigger picture too, and of course we saw that last week that we said this is enough [on racism].
“We’re just leading that, and everyone’s supporting. We need to send a message out because it’s unacceptable and disgusting.
“And that shows also that the identity of the women’s game, that yes we want to improve and we want to get the results, but that gives us a platform to hopefully make a little change, positive change in society, and that’s what we go for too.”
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Comebacks
It has been a challenging tournament on the pitch defending their European crown. The opening match was lost to France before emphatic wins against the Netherlands and Wales took them into the knockout phase.
They were facing elimination against Sweden before coming back from 2-0 down to 2-2 before winning on penalties.
And they came even closer to being knocked out in the semi-final by Italy until Michelle Agyemang equalised in the 96th minute and Chloe Kelly struck the winner in extra time.
Asked about the impact of the drama on the England manager, attacking midfielder Ella Toone joked: “We’ve almost killed her twice this tournament.”
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So how does Wiegman cope with the frenzied finishes?
“I’m never angry at the players because I know they give their best and they do everything to make it work,” she said in our interview at the team’s Zurich hotel.
“I’m just really proud of them. How we show up, how we step up when necessary and I just hope that we do a little bit earlier now.
“But first, the most important thing is that we play at our best because that makes the chance of winning as high as possible and we want that best outcome of course.”
The outcome in 2023 was losing the World Cup final to Spain, and Sunday’s game in Basel is a rematch.
“Spain is a very good country, they play very good football, but I think we’re really good too, so we have our tactical plan ready,” Wiegman said.
“We have to be at our best. Then if we are at our best we can win and the urgency is there to be our best to make that possible.”
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Five finals
The double European champion has unprecedented managerial experience at her five international tournaments – only reaching the finals with the Netherlands and England.
“It’s very special because playing a final is very special,” Wiegman said. “There are many teams in the competition and there is only a spot for two countries to play a final and it’s very, very hard to get through to the final.
“So I feel grateful and I’m really, really excited to play another final with England. And yes, I’ve noticed a couple of things, what it does with the country.
“Of course, I already did that after the Euros, but also after the World Cup. So I’m excited about that too, of course.”
Super-subs
She can feel vindicated by the results, however much the clamour is to make substitutions earlier.
“I don’t feel that resistance, I don’t feel that because I’m in the game and we have our bubble,” she said.
“And the only thing I’m focusing on is my bubble, everything outside I’m not focusing on and don’t pay attention to.
“Of course there’s pressure, of course when you’re down or 2-0 down or 1-0 then there’s pressure because you need to score a goal and then you make your subs and it’s incredible that the subs make a difference.”
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With the team often rescued by super-subs Kelly and Agyemang, who is playing her first tournament at 19.
“She brings something different with her qualities and it’s really nice that she shows that too,” Wiegman said.
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Support
England have never won a trophy on foreign soil before – with the men and women only collecting trophies at Wembley.
Thousands of fans are expected in Basel and millions watching back home.
“I’d really like to thank everyone with the incredible support we’ve had here in Switzerland,” Wiegman said.
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“England is totally overloaded with the fans, there’s so many here and we know there’s so many watching from home and supporting us.
“That feels incredible and we’re very very thankful for that and I hope we can put an incredible performance on the pitch again on Sunday and I hope that will bring us the win.”
