Captain Leah Williamson has dismissed England’s underdog standing in tomorrow’s Euro 2025 ultimate in opposition to Spain and insisted the world champions should be at their finest to prevail.
The Lionesses haven’t loved an easy path to the title recreation as they appear to defend the crown they received in 2022. They gave the impression to be heading out in opposition to each Sweden and Italy earlier than late comebacks secured their place in a rematch of the final World Cup ultimate.
Spain prevailed 1-0 on that event in Sydney two years in the past and are favourites to safe the continental crown as nicely.
Williamson bullish earlier than final take a look at
However Arsenal centre-half Williamson who, together with midfield playmaker Lauren James, has been declared match for the sport in Basel, is adamant Sarina Wiegman’s girls are in assured temper.
She mentioned: “Tomorrow we play the world champions who proceed to show themselves again and again. They’re a improbable footballing workforce, one of the best at what they do. We’re conscious of that.
“We expect we’re fairly good in some areas too. We must be at our greatest to beat Spain. I believe they must be at their finest to beat us too. I don’t assume there’s a transparent underdog on this however we go in in opposition to the world champions tomorrow and that’s not a straightforward job. We’ll put together as finest we are able to for that problem.”
Historical past at stake for Lionesses
Williamson and Co will change into the primary senior England workforce to win a significant trophy – males or girls – on overseas soil if they will see off the Spanish.
She added: “The gorgeous factor about 2022 was that I’m unsure any of us will ever be part of one thing like that once more by way of the change, the story and journey.
“Being away from house is particular differently. You exit to characterize your nation elsewhere and the burden of that’s necessary to think about. It generally provides a little bit further.
“I believe it’s an actual privileged time to be a part of this workforce. The chance to be the primary this and that could be a massive motivator however extra as a result of we all know what it does for girls’s soccer and continues the legacy that we’ve already began.”
Spain have received their final 10 video games, together with a 2-1 victory over England in June. Nonetheless, the Lionesses did inflict their final defeat, Jess Park scoring the one purpose at Wembley in February.
“We’ve performed one another lots during the last couple of years due to the Nations League,” mentioned Wiegman. “We may have discovered from them within the video games we now have performed. Tomorrow is a distinct situation however hopefully we are able to have a look at the strengths.”
England will go into the sport with further relaxation having performed their semi-final on Tuesday, 24 hours earlier than Spain, who had been additionally pushed to extra-time by Germany.