How becoming back-to-back European Champions impacts the nation
Now that the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 is over, the Lionesses are trailblazers in women’s football.
Memories of the summer of 2022 are back, as the nation once again witnesses a European trophy lift. Becoming European Champions for the first time impacted the nation, but becoming European Champions for the second time has created an even stronger legacy.
How much have Sarina Wiegman’s England side impacted the future of women’s football? And how did they repeat history once again this summer?
July 2022: the month that changed women’s football in England
On the 31st of July in 2022, the Lionesses won the EURO, with a 2-1 victory over Germany in a nail-biting final. Goals from Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly, who scored the winner in the one-hundred-and-tenth minute. This was incredible to see, as women’s football was no longer seen as insignificant or unworthy in comparison to the men’s game. This victory was an eye opener.
Immediately after the tournament, the landscape of women’s football changed in England. More and more young girls got involved in football, as they followed in the footsteps of their idols. In fact, it is believed that over fifty thousand new opportunities arose, engaging women and girls in football. There were also over one hundred thousand more with the opportunity to play football in school, which is truly amazing.
Since the EURO win, number one goalkeeper at the time, Mary Earps proudly recognised the impact of their success on the number of girls signing up sports. The changes in youth women’s sport had never been so vast. England proved women in sport are capable of anything, inspiring the future of the sporting nation to follow their dreams and overcome any challenges faced along the way.
Improvements in the media
There is certainly some merit in recognising the differences between the EURO 2022 and 2025. First of all, media coverage has seen significant improvements. Following the victory on home soil, media outlets dedicated more time and work into the sport; this includes a wider range of matches and streaming services available for women’s football, both domestically and internationally.
Beyond the media, established brands including Nike and Adidas sponsor the women’s game, with huge partnerships taking over advertisement boards. Throughout the EURO 2025, many companies are partnering with stars of the Lionesses’ squad: Lauren James and Leah Williamson being two of them. Ahead of becoming European Champions, these opportunities were limited and open primarily to big names in the men’s game.
Times are changing. Women’s football is no longer seen as second best when major tournaments are on the horizon. Now, these collaborations must continue and flourish to take the women’s game one step further in the right direction.
July 2025: continuing their legacy
This summer, England set out to relive their memories of 2022. Despite a lot of noise in the buildup to the tournament, including questions over squad selection and the managers recent tactics, the Lionesses were ready to win.
However, the team did not make it easy. A rocky start saw a loss to France in the opening match of the tournament yet again sparking negative press and a loss of faith in Wiegman’s squad. But the Lionesses defied the odds, securing progression to the final with several last-minute winners. Against Spain in a FIFA Women’s World Cup final rematch, England showcased their collective brilliance and resilience to overcome their footballing rivals and lift the trophy once again.
Notably, Arsenal forwards Kelly and Michelle Agyemang deserve a mention for their match-winning goals, keeping England’s dreams alive. They are two members of a squad of twenty-three players who inspire the future generations. As substitutes they could perish the thought of starting every game on the bench, but instead they graft hard and prove that they have the killer instinct to step on the pitch and change a game. However, every member of the squad is a role model and deserves their name in lights.
Although the final, and fixtures leading up to it were a tough watch for England fans, the team never gave up and built stronger foundations for the legacy they created. Considering the impact of the EURO 2022 win on the nation and girls and women worldwide, this is another stepping stone in the right direction. More opportunities will be available in women’s sports, and more recognition of the women’s game and its unique brilliance will occur.
To see women on the big stage with such pride and resilience is a testament to the hard work behind the scenes for decades. This legacy will not stop now. This legacy is only just beginning.