Chloe Kelly smashed the ball into the net to seal another European title for England – and the first person Sarina Wiegman turned to in the aftermath was her trusted assistant, Arjan Veurink.
Veurink has been by Wiegman’s side every step of the way, the tactician helping to mastermind yet another triumph alongside his Dutch compatriot. With Veurink set to return to the Netherlands now the tournament is over, this victory served as a fitting farewell.
Moments later, Wiegman sprinted over to Kelly, lifted her off the ground, and gave her a jubilant squeeze before planting a celebratory kiss on her cheek. The pandemonium had officially begun – and this is the story of the secrets of their success.
Wiegman had promised to mark the occasion with some dancing, adding: ‘I might have a drink, but I won’t be drinking as much as the players.’
And celebrate they did. After extended time on the pitch with family and friends – Kelly tearfully racing to embrace her brothers and husband, Scott Moore – the team returned to their hotel in Zurich, an hour’s drive from Basel’s St Jakob-Park where history had been made. They wore specially made ‘Champions 25’ jerseys and were greeted by a Dolder Grand adorned with ‘One Family’ banners.
With them was their unofficial mascot, Reggie the Cavapoo, owned by the founder of Cheals on Wheels – the mobile barista company that has accompanied the Lionesses throughout the tournament.
Sarina Wiegman and her right-hand man Arjan Veurink celebrate England’s Euro 2025 victory
England’s lucky mascot Reggie the Cavapoo leaves the team hotel on Monday after the Lionesses’ historic triumph
They stayed up celebrating into the early hours with family and friends. Ella Toone hijacked the microphone, dedicating a rendition of River Deep, Mountain High to Rachel Daly – the former England player who belted out that same song at Trafalgar Square after the 2022 win. Lioness anthems Freed from Desire and Sweet Caroline also made their way onto the playlist.
Leah Williamson paraded the trophy around the room adorned with photographs of the triumphant Lionesses, and the England captain and her manager marked the victory with a special cake-cutting.
The Lionesses have lived a tournament of extremes – fitting, then, that Georgia Stanway would choose a rollercoaster as the image she’d tattoo to capture it. Highs, lows, and everything in between.
It began with the jolt of that defeat to France. England looked like strangers on the pitch, short on connection, confidence, and clarity, and it was a night that rattled the foundations of this squad. After all the noise leading up to this moment – following three squad withdrawals and questions raised over whether this was a squad in turmoil – England missed the chance to put the chatter to bed.
But, as Beth Mead later said, that defeat was ‘probably the best thing that happened to us’. Because it was here that the roots of ‘proper England’ began to emerge. Lucy Bronze brought the team together to remind them they lost to France in their opening game of the 2019 World Cup, and how they had come back and fought their way to the semi-finals.
It was a reminder of a time when one, let alone two consecutive titles, was only the stuff of dreams. And the right back, who is one of the last remaining figures to straddle both eras of the Lionesses, felt some of the youngsters in her team needed reminding of this.
And what followed were two games of ruthless assurance – 10 goals across back-to-back wins against Netherlands and Wales – and it echoed of a team finally finding its stride.
But the knockouts brought new challenges. The quarter-final against Sweden tested England’s patience. They dominated possession but created few clear chances, registering only four shots on target to Sweden’s seven over 120 minutes.
Lucy Bronze brought the team together to remind them they lost to France in their opening game of the 2019 World Cup, and how they had fought their way to the semi-finals
England roared back in the group stage, smashing the Netherlands 4-0
In need of a hero, it was in this game that Bronze – who’s middle name is actually Tough – really came alive, scoring the first before Agyemang came again two minutes later, forcing extra time and eventually penalties.
Bronze singlehandedly willed England’s progression into the next stage, kicking the hoarding boards, smashing the ball into the ground. The psychological edge the 33-year-old carries is second to none, and it’s impossible to quantify England’s most decorated player’s impact on this team.
It’s hard to argue with a team-mate when they are battling on through a fractured tibia. When she believes, England do too.
Esme Morgan later joked that Wiegman had sent her a note reading, ‘Save us GOAT’ – and the right-back delivered, smashing home the winning penalty.
Against Italy, despite conceding early, England responded well, and looked the stronger side for much of the second half. Substitutions came late – Kelly in the 77th minute, breakthrough star Michelle Agyemang eight minutes later – and the two sent England to their third consecutive major tournament final.
Wiegman had a toiletry bag that said ‘b*****s get s*** done’ to motivate her team before that game, and it worked.
Aside from some quiet grumblings about the length of time it took Wiegman to make substitutions in the Italy game, the squad unity at this camp has been unparalleled.
This has partly been due to the siege mentality that arose from the criticism – first of concern that the withdrawals on the eve of the squad announcement of three of the starters in 2022 at Wembley (Mary Earps, Millie Bright and Fran Kirby) was going to unsteady their title charge, and then of their performances, particularly of the opening defeat against France.
The Lionesses are the first England team to win a tournament on foreign soil – and the first to defend a title
Wiegman has now won the last three Euros, one with her home country and two with England
And then, later, of the racist abuse of Jess Carter. Bronze spoke at the time about how it was a shame that Agyemang, Khiara Keating and Lauren James had to witness such hatred, particularly given they were some of the younger players of the squad. But this, in lots of ways, brought them closer together.
It was from here that many players decided to take themselves off social media, following Keira Walsh’s lead who has been away from it for five months and said she felt ‘a lot better’ for it. They went further into their bubble, blocking out the noise, and found a way to deliver.
Even when Spain looked the better team, the Lionesses never gave up, and their decisive penalty shootout screamed of a team who forced their luck.
Looking ahead, the international landscape is shifting. Since the 2023 World Cup, competition has grown stronger – a vital development for the women’s game, but also one that could challenge England’s dominance. Navigating that terrain will demand innovation and resilience.
Based on the elite facilities at this tournament, the FA clearly intends to keep England at the top of the game. But beyond investment, maintaining a clear pathway from grassroots to elite level – for both players and coaches – must remain a priority.
Veurink’s impending departure also adds uncertainty and the defence – especially with Bronze and Alex Greenwood nearing their time – will need reinforcement. Replacing those two stalwarts is no simple task given their vital off-field presences.
Jess Carter (second left) suffered vile racist abuse – and it had an understandable impact on the likes of Lauren James (furthest left), Michelle Agyemang and Khiara Keating
Chloe Kelly scores the winning penalty to seal England’s glorious triumph
Yet the core of the team remains remarkably young. It’s astonishing to think Walsh is still only 28, Stanway 26, Lauren Hemp 24, and James just 23. There is so much more to come from this group.
If there’s any manager equipped to steer England through this next chapter, it’s Sarina Wiegman – a beacon of consistency and now once again, history-making success.
The FA said even before the tournament began that the Dutchwoman was going nowhere, and that has only been reinforced.
As Toone said on the eve of the final, ‘We know we’re in good hands and when we go on the pitch, we fight for each other, but we fight for Sarina and the staff too.’
