Womens Football

Understanding the pressure elite sport puts on women’s bodies is pushing athletes to new levels of excellence.

Understanding the pressure elite sport puts on women’s bodies is pushing athletes to new levels of excellence.

• Nikita Parris to have medical before free transfer

• Forward joins six new recruits at Michelle Kang’s side

Nikita Parris is poised to join London City Lionesses in their first season in the Women’s Super League, following the expiration of her Brighton contract.

The Guardian understands the 31-year-old forward will have a medical with the Michelle Kang-owned side on Tuesday. Parris joined Brighton from Manchester United on deadline day last summer, and has scored seven goals in 22 games for the side.

Continue reading…

• All the news before the big match at Stade de Genève

• Mail Tom | Russo’s rise | Italy icon Girelli | Power rankings

Chris Boardman, the chair of Sport England, has written an open letter to Ofcom urging it to use its powers to end the abuse of Lionesses and female athletes online.

In the letter, he writes:

“The abuse faced by these athletes not only causes personal harm but also sends a damaging message to the next generation of girls who aspire to follow in their footsteps. Research on behalf of our This Girl Can campaign has shown a fear of judgment is a huge barrier to women being active, and abuse of our elite athletes online only increases reservations amongst those taking part at a community level …

“We also believe that Ofcom has a vital role to play. The Online Safety Act 2023 provides a framework to address illegal and harmful content, including hate speech and misogynistic abuse. We note that Ofcom has now published its initial Codes of Practice, including those relating to illegal harms and the protection of children. These codes place legal duties on in-scope services to assess risks and take proportionate steps to mitigate them.”

Girelli has played her entire career in Italy, bridging the gap from amateur to full-time, with Serie A Femminile going fully professional in 2022. She has spent seven seasons with Juventus and finished the last campaign as the league’s top scorer with 19 goals that propelled Le Bianconere to their first title in three years.

Continue reading…

• All the latest news and reaction from Switzerland

• Top scorers | Player guide | Mail Will

Chloe Kelly is probably more of an asset to England than she’s ever been, more even than 2022 and all that. And she’s been praised heartily by her teammate Alex Greenwood, as PA Media reports:

Chloe Kelly needed no persuasion to take the pressure-cooker extra-time penalty that sent defending champions England into the Euro 2025 final, according to defender Alex Greenwood … “That takes a lot of courage to step up to take that,” Greenwood said. “I asked her, she had no doubt in her mind, she was confident enough to take it.

“All of our penalty takers were off, so who was left was probably me or Chloe. I missed the pen in the [Sweden] game, in the shootout, Chloe scored hers comfortably, so they [the manager, Sarina Wiegman, and assistant, Arjan Veurink) said, ‘It’s up to you, you or Chloe’.

Continue reading…

This generation of great England footballers has had its time with Wiegman’s staunch loyalty to the class of 2022 exposing limitations

Hannah Hampton is up for the corner. It’s the fourth minute of injury time in the Euro 2025 semi-final. Every England player bar Chloe Kelly is within 20 yards of Italy’s goal. And as blisteringly underwhelming as England have been all night, this is still a team with an unerring sense of their own narrative, a belief in themselves, a taste for the dramatic climax.

The noise builds to a roar. The roar builds to a scream. Kelly puts her corner straight into the side netting. Hampton hangs her head and gallops back into more familiar territory. End of the road. England are done.

Continue reading…

After the nail-biting Sweden quarter-final, it was the same again as England somehow battled back to beat Italy and reach the Euro 2025 final

This time they needed only one penalty, although even that came with complications. England are through to the Euro 2025 final and, in keeping with the white-knuckle nature of their tournament, that tells only a fraction of the story.

Sarina Wiegman’s team were moments from losing against an unfancied Italy who had played the role of underdog to perfection, holding on to their first-half lead with an exemplary tactical performance. England looked down and out until Michelle Agyemang, the young Arsenal striker, seized on a loose ball and finished clinically in injury time. The Lionesses had got out of jail again and the breaks did not end there.

Continue reading…

The substitutes Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly shone as the Lionesses secured dramatic passage to the final

Hannah Hampton Looked strong aerially and made a crucial save on 86 minutes, keeping England alive. 7/10

Continue reading…

Germany vs France: A Tale of Missed Opportunities and Unyielding Resolve In a match that promised to be a showcase of European footballing prowess, Germany and France delivered a spectacle that was as much about grit as it was about skill. The Women’s Euro 2025 quarter-final clash saw both teams locked in a battle of attrition, ultimately spilling into extra time after a dramatic penalty miss by Chelsea’s Sjoeke Nüsken. Nüsken, a player of undeniable talent, found herself at the center of a pivotal moment. Her penalty, a chance to tilt the scales in Germany’s favor, was thwarted by a resolute French goalkeeper. It’s a scenario that every player dreads, yet it is the crucible in which true champions are forged. One might argue that the pressure of the moment got the better of her, but let’s not forget that football is a team sport, and the burden of victory or defeat should never rest on a single pair of shoulders. The match itself was a testament to the tactical acumen and physical endurance of both sides. Germany, with their characteristic efficiency, and France, with their flair and tenacity, each had their moments of dominance. Yet, as the clock ticked on, it became increasingly clear that neither side was willing to concede an inch. It was a game that demanded more than just technical skill; it required mental fortitude and a willingness to fight for every ball. As the match dragged into extra time, the tension was palpable. Both teams had their chances, but the finishing touch seemed elusive. It was a reminder that in football, as in life, opportunities must be seized with both hands. The missed penalty was a microcosm of the match itself—an opportunity squandered, a moment that could have changed the narrative. In the end, this quarter-final was not just about who would advance to the next stage, but about the resilience and determination that defines the beautiful game. While the headlines may focus on Nüsken’s missed penalty, the real story lies in the collective effort and unwavering spirit displayed by both teams. As the tournament progresses, one can only hope that the lessons learned from this encounter will serve as a catalyst for even greater performances.

Hendrich’s Hair-Raising Antics: A Red Card Comedy in the Women’s Euro 2025 Quarter-Final In a match that was supposed to showcase the pinnacle of women’s football, Germany’s Felicitas Hendrich decided to channel her inner pantomime villain with a hair-pulling stunt that was as subtle as a sledgehammer. In a moment that left fans and pundits alike questioning her decision-making, Hendrich’s antics earned her a well-deserved early exit from the pitch. One might wonder if she mistook the football field for a wrestling ring, but alas, this was no WWE event. The incident, which occurred during the high-stakes quarter-final clash against France, was a masterclass in how not to conduct oneself on the international stage. Hendrich’s actions were not only unsporting but also a disservice to her teammates, who were left to battle on with ten players. It’s a shame that such a talented player resorted to tactics more befitting a schoolyard squabble than a European Championship. Yet, in a twist of fate that only football can deliver, Germany’s Lina Nusken stepped up to equalize, salvaging some dignity for the team. Her goal was a testament to resilience and skill, qualities that were sorely lacking in Hendrich’s moment of madness. Nusken’s performance was a reminder that football is won with talent and tenacity, not theatrics and tomfoolery. The match itself was a rollercoaster of emotions, with France initially taking the lead and looking poised to capitalize on their numerical advantage. However, Germany’s resolve, embodied by Nusken’s equalizer, ensured that the contest remained fiercely competitive. It’s a credit to the German side that they managed to hold their own despite the self-inflicted handicap. As the dust settles on this quarter-final clash, one hopes that Hendrich will reflect on her actions and return with a renewed focus on the beautiful game. Football is a sport that demands discipline and respect, both for the rules and for one’s opponents. Let this be a lesson in the importance of maintaining composure, even in the heat of battle. In the end, the match was a reminder that while football can be unpredictable, it is ultimately a game of skill and strategy. Hendrich’s red card may have been the headline, but it was Nusken’s equalizer that truly defined the spirit of the game.