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The Lionesses are 90 minutes from glory after booking their place in the Euro 2025 final – with Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Lucy Bronze all looking to fire England to the title
Beneath the majestic glow of the Swiss Alps, England’s Lionesses are battling hard to do what only one other team in history has done: defend their European Championship crown. Their campaign began with a jolt – a 2-1 defeat by France that stung like an Alpine winter chill.
But Sarina Wiegman’s pride roared back, dismantling the Netherlands 4-0 and crushing Wales 6-1 before edging Sweden in a nail-biting penalty shootout in the quarters. Their semi-final clash with Italy was equally dramatic, with two last-gasp goals – one in second-half stoppage time and another at the death of extra time – completing an unforgettable comeback.
Now, the Lionesses stand on the brink of glory. Only Spain remain between them and a historic back-to-back European title. The pain of that narrow 1-0 loss in the 2023 World Cup final still lingers, but Wiegman believes her side are ready to exorcise the ghosts of Sydney with triumph in Basel.
«Spain are an incredible opponent but we got through too,» she said ahead of Sunday’s final. «We know them really well and they know us really well. We have tactical challenges but we’ll give them tactical challenges – we hope to win.
«We have our tactical plan ready. We want to be best prepared… We’ve played each other a lot over the last couple of years. You always have learnings. They will have learned from us. Sunday is a new situation so hopefully we can exploit some of the weaknesses they have too.»
On the pitch, the Lionesses’ blend of resilience, flair and grit has captured countless hearts and imaginations. Off it, their lives are equally as vibrant and purposeful.
Here, Mirror Football offers an intimate glimpse into the behind-the-scenes lives of the Lionesses, revealing the passions, bonds and love stories that are fuelling their hunt for Euro 2025 glory.
Leah Williamson: the resilient leader
Captain Leah Williamson is back leading the Lionesses after missing the 2023 World Cup due to an ACL injury. The Arsenal centre back, who lifted the Euro 2022 trophy, has been pivotal on and off the pitch, advocating for equal access to PE for children – recently meeting Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to push the cause.
Off-field, Williamson, 28, keeps her personal life relatively private but has shared her love for music, learning to play the piano during her injury recovery. She came out as bisexual in 2022, and earlier this year, it emerged she was in a relationship with former Miss USA model Elle Smith.
The pair, who reportedly started dating in 2024, jetted off for a pre-tournament break in Majorca last month. Commenting on Williamson’s Instagram post about the trip, Smith asked: «Same time next year? x,» to which Williamson replied: «Yes please x.»
Lauren Hemp: the young superstar
Manchester City’s Lauren Hemp is a dynamic forward with 68 England caps, despite only being 24 years old. After returning from knee surgery last year, Hemp has been typically dazzling and has started every single one of the Lionesses’ fixtures at Euro 2025 – netting in the 6-1 mauling of Wales.
Since 2023, Hemp – who is a self-proclaimed Lego fanatic – has been in a relationship with Sheffield United footballer Ashley Hodson. The couple keep things fairly low-key, but feature regularly on each other’s Instagram feeds.
When Hemp received an MBE for her services to football last year, Hodson uploaded a snap of the two of them together, with the understated caption: «She did a thing… and it’s great,» followed by a heart-eyes emoji.
Alessia Russo: the goal-scoring icon
Alessia Russo is no stranger to making an impact at the Euros. She scored an audacious back-heel in the semi-final of Euro 2022 – a goal that was later nominated for the FIFA Puskas award – and ended the tournament as the second-top scorer, despite only ever appearing from the substitute’s bench.
In Switzerland, the Arsenal star, 26, is looking to make a similar mark, though she only has one goal so far. Off-field, Russo is private about her love life, with no confirmed partner, focusing instead on her career and family.
Her brother Giorgio’s stint on Love Island made plenty of headlines, but Alessia remains grounded, co-hosting a BBC podcast, The Tooney & Russo Show, with international team-mate and close pal Ella Toone. England fans will be hoping to see Russo kick things up a notch or two at the Euros, particularly after she was crowned FWA Women’s Footballer of the Year in May.
Ella Toone: the social media sensation
Speaking of Toone, the 25-year-old is a fan favourite with a flair for the dramatic, scoring in the Euro 2022 final and a World Cup semi-final. Off the pitch, she’s in a relationship with footballer Joe Bunney, and the couple runs a popular YouTube channel.
Toone’s «ET7» brand, inspired by her idol, Cristiano Ronaldo, reflects her bold personality and saw her become the first England Women’s star to trademark her name. The Manchester United midfielder lost her father in September 2024 – a tragedy she says affected her performances last season.
But now she’s ready to bounce back by firing England to glory at the Euros. She’s already scored twice at the tournament, and can now add to that tally in the final on Sunday.
Lauren James: the creative maestro
Lauren James, 23, is a standout talent. Like her brother Reece James, she plays for Chelsea and is starting to make a significant impact at international level too.
She was infamously sent off during the 2023 World Cup, but ended the tournament with three goals and three assists. Her creativity and long-range shooting make her a game-changer, and she’s already bagged two goals at Euro 2025.
Little is known about James’ private life, but she is reportedly single, focusing on her football and family. She’s close to her brother, Reece, and the pair are often pictured in each other’s social media posts.
Lucy Bronze: the global trailblazer
At 33, Lucy Bronze is a Lionesses legend, with over 120 caps and a trophy cabinet boasting five Champions League titles. She moved to Chelsea in 2024 after a stint at Barcelona, and her versatility at right back or wing back remains vital for both club and country.
Off the pitch, Bronze is private about her love life, though she used to date England vice captain and Chelsea team-mate Keira Walsh. In March this year, she revealed she was diagnosed with autism and ADHD back in 2021.
The Northumberland native is a huge advocate for mental health support and has been open about her struggles in the past, particularly in relation to feeling guilty about missing the funeral of a close friend a few years ago. She’s been ever-present at Euro 2025 so far and delivered another all-action performance vs Italy.
Beth Mead: the comeback queen
Arsenal’s Beth Mead reclaimed her spot in the Lionesses’ squad after a devastating ACL injury in 2022 sidelined her for the World Cup. Her Euro 2022 heroics – including a Golden Boot win – remain iconic, and her return, marked by a goal in the Wales rout, signals her hunger for more silverware.
Off the pitch, Mead, 30, is in a relationship with Arsenal team-mate Vivianne Miedema, and the couple, who live together in London, often share glimpses of their life, from cosy date nights to supporting each other’s matches, on social media.
Mead’s mother sadly passed away in 2023 following a battle with cancer. It was her mother’s diagnosis in 2021, the forward later revealed, that has fuelled her domestic and international success in the years since.
The 2022 Sports Personality of the Year award winner’s advocacy for women’s sports and her candid autobiography, Lioness: My Journey to Glory, have made her a fan favourite. Her love for her dog, Myle – who features heavily on her Instagram account – and her Yorkshire roots add a touch of warmth to her vibrant off-field persona.
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