England women captain Leah Williamson said the Lionesses are determined to not be a “flash in the pan” and “continue their legacy” as they prepare to face world champions Spain in the Euro 2025 final in Basel.
“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.”
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: 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.”
(Getty Images)Jamie Braidwood26 July 2025 17:01
Leah Williamson confirms she is also fit for the Euro 2025 finalLeah 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.”
(PA Wire)Jamie Braidwood26 July 2025 16:41
Sarina Wiegman and Leah Williamson press conferenceSarina 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 conferenceLeah 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 conferenceLeah 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 conferenceSarina 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
Is England vs Spain on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Euro 2025 final for freeEngland will get their shot at back-to-back European titles after clawing their way to the Euro 2025 final in Switzerland – and they will face familiar opponents on Sunday.
Jamie Braidwood26 July 2025 16:03
England delayed at packed press conference A packed press room at St Jakob Park – with standing room only before the Euro 2025 pre-final press conferences. England have been delayed by 15 minutes until 4pm.
(Independent)Jamie Braidwood26 July 2025 15:46
England’s pre-Euro 2025 final press conferences coming upEngland manager Sarina Wiegman and captain Leah Williamson will appear at a press conference shortly before the Euro 2025 final against Spain. They’ll be speaking from St Jakob Park in Basel, which hosts tomorrow’s final.
Wiegman faced many questions from the Dutch journalists in Zurich (The FA via Getty Images)Jamie Braidwood26 July 2025 15:35
