
Sarina Wiegman’s side have the historic opportunity to become the first England team in history to defend a major tournament title, as they go in search of back-to-back European crowns after their Euro 2022 win three years ago.
“You don’t want to be a flash in the pan, a memory, and before 2022 we said it was the start of something,” captain Williamson said. “So we’re still trying to play our role. We know how powerful that is. I hope it continues to grow, the respect for women’s football, for women, and women’s sport in general.”
Williamson did not think the Lionesses will be underdogs against world champions Spain, in what is a rematch of the 2023 World Cup final in Sydney. England will be out for revenge after Spain’s 1-0 win, while Spain are determined to enjoy the moment after their victory was overshadowed by Luis Rubiales.
England required miraculous escapes to defeat Sweden and then Italy in the knockout stages, with Michelle Agyemang’s dramatic equaliser and Chloe Kelly’s penalty rebound firing the Lionesses into a third consecutive final.
There were some concern over forward Lauren James after she picked up a knock to her ankle during the win over Italy. But the 23-year-old trained on the eve of the final and Wiegman has confirmed that she has all 23 players available on Sunday.
England captain Leah Williamson delivers powerful message ahead of Euro 2025 final
England captain Leah Williamson said the Lionesses are determined to not be a “flash in the pan” and “continue their legacy” as game-changers as they prepare to face world champions Spain in the Euro 2025 final in Basel.
The Lionesses have reached a third consecutive major tournament final and will defend the European title won at Wembley three years ago against a Spain team who defeated them in the World Cup final in 2023.
Jamie Braidwood26 July 2025 17:53
Spain head coach Montse Tome ahead of the Euro 2025 final
Asked if Spain are under pressure as world champion ahead of playing England in the Euro 2025 final, head coach Montse Tome says Spain have already made history by reaching the Euros final for the first time.
“ I don’t think about pressure. I think during the tournament we have been writing history, semi-finals, final for the first time, winning against Germany for the first time. We have been accomplishing objectives and that’s why we are here.
“We wanted to play six games and we are here [in the final]. England are defending the title, they are champions. We will compete and want to enjoy the game but we want to win. The journey has been spectacular.
Jamie Braidwood26 July 2025 17:31
Spain’s captain speaks ahead of Euro 2025 final
Spain captain Irene Parades ahead of facing England in the Euro 2025 final.
“England is one of the best national teams in the world. They deserve to be in the final. We will have players tomorrow who share clubs and we have played each other several times. They have made us suffer, we do the same. It will be a balanced game. All the respect tomorrow.
“The team is here in an important moment. We are mature at all levels. We are in a good shape and have a good combination of players, which helps in order to be in a final. We are calm, we are cool, we are enjoying football. We don’t see pressure – we see this as an opportunity to continue writing history.”
Jamie Braidwood26 July 2025 17:11
England captain Leah Williamson: Lionesses can’t be afraid
England captain Leah Williamson speaks of the importance of not being “fearful of losing” in the Euro 2025 final.
“That’s the main thing. If you’re fearful of losing, even if you win, do you enjoy that experience, do you full take it in? Do you give everything that you have? Or are you expending energy in the wrong way?
“I think this team is so task-focused that whatever is in our way, we will try to overcome that together. I don’t think we’re a team fearful of losing. In football, anything can happen in football – there is so much out of your control.
“We focus on being the best people we can to each other, performing the best that we can and hopefully that gives you the result you want. But definitely not fearful of losing because you do expend energy in ways you don’t want to.”

Jamie Braidwood26 July 2025 17:01
Leah Williamson confirms she is also fit for the Euro 2025 final
Leah Williamson confirms she is fit for the Euro 2025 after recovering from her own ankle scare during the tournament, as she is asked to what extent she would play through injury ahead of such a big match.
“I can speak for every single member of the squad when I say that as long as we get the green light we would play through anything [pain]. My ankle is great. My mum rolled her ankle the other day so she’s taken all the attention now. I had a scare but I want to be involved, I want to help the team so I’m ready to go tomorrow.”

Jamie Braidwood26 July 2025 16:41
Sarina Wiegman and Leah Williamson press conference
Sarina Wiegman jokes that she has been having as many “heart attacks” as England fans late in games – but talks though her mindset when it comes to in-game substitutions.
“We want to be the best prepared. We’re trying to prepare what can happen and what we need. When we picked the squad we talked about what we might need in different scenarios. In the game, you do what you think is necessary. When we want to make a change, we can make it very quickly.”
Jamie Braidwood26 July 2025 16:26
Sarina Wiegman and Leah Williamson press conference
Leah Williamson on whether England are underdogs against Spain.
“Tomorrow we play a game against the world champions that continues to prove themselves. They are the best at what they do. We think we’re good at what we do as well.
“There’s a lot of respect between the teams and I would be hesitant to say there’s an underdog. But we’re playing the world champions.”
Williamson says it was “horrible” to watch the 2023 World Cup final.
Jamie Braidwood26 July 2025 16:18
Leah Williamson: ‘You don’t want to be a flash in the pan, a memory’
Leah Williamson on what she hopes the legacy of England’s Euro 2025 can be.
“The consistency of the girls. I wasn’t involved in 2023 but the landscape keeps changing and we’re trying to change with it. That’s a hard thing to do but it proves that the quality of the game continues to rise. We don’t want to be a flash in the pan, or a memory. We want to continue and that the respect for the women’s game and women can continue.”
Jamie Braidwood26 July 2025 16:16
Sarina Wiegman and Leah Williamson press conference
Leah Williamson on the chance to win the trophy and become the first England team to win a tournament on foreign soil.
“We’re very connected to what it means to the nation. I think the opportunity of tomorrow is the best thing in football. We wanted to be here and for the chance to fight for the trophy. We don’t carry the weight of it, and how much it means, but we’re aware of it and will do everything we can to take it.
“The beautiful thing about 2022 was that I don’t think any of us will have that again. Being away from home is different, you represent your country somewhere else. The history on the line, it feels like every time this team plays [we have the chance to make history]. It’s a real privilege to be involved in, to continue the legacy we have already started.”
Jamie Braidwood26 July 2025 16:14
Sarina Wiegman and Leah Williamson press conference
Sarina Wiegman speaks to the packed room in Basel ahead of the Euro 2025 final. She confirms that Lauren James trained today and is available.
“We had 23 players and the pitch today and everyone came through. We have many players that can impact, and she can have an impact too.”
Jamie Braidwood26 July 2025 16:09