'New England' ready to defend the crown

Leah Williamson leads a new-look Lionesses squad into the Euros determined to make more history for the nation.

- By Simon Collings

England are no strangers to creating history under Sarina Wiegman - and this summer they can make some more. For the first time in 55 years, England are heading to a major tournament as the defending champions.

The Lionesses were crowned champions of Europe in 2022 on home soil and now they are aiming to go one better. No England team has ever retained a major international title, but Wiegman believes her players can break new ground.

Women's football has enjoyed rapid growth since Euro 2022 and that has been evident with the Lionesses. Of the 23 players in Wiegman's squad for this summer's tournament in Switzerland, just 13 were among the group who made history three years ago. Nearly a third of them are appearing at a major tournament for the first time and it is why the Lionesses are talking of a “new England”.

Household names, such as goalkeeper Mary Earps, are gone and the next generation can become heroes. “This is a new England,” says midfielder Georgia Stanway. “We're hungry for it. We know what it's like to win it, and we would like to taste that again.”

Wiegman’s ‘noisy’ buildup

England kick off their quest for glory on Saturday when they take on France. The Lionesses have had a disrupted buildup, which began with Earps announcing her shock retirement from international football just five weeks ago. Days later, midfielder Fran Kirby, who like Earps played every game at Euro 2022, followed suit, then Millie Bright, who captained England at the 2023 World Cup, pulled out with fatigue.