Young Lionesses victorious in U23 European Competition with stellar Performance

England Women’s Under 23s secured the European title on Friday, after beating Sweden 3-0 in Spain. Under new head coach Lydia Bedford, the team delivered a confident and composed performance in the final, showcasing both their attacking quality and resilience.

With goals from Izzy Goodwin, Hannah Silcock and Olivia McLoughlin, England sealed a dominant victory that underlined their growth throughout the tournament. 

Recent form

The Young Lionesses journey to being crowned champions was far from straightforward. They began their campaign with a 5-0 loss to Germany, a result that left them needing a strong response. That reaction came in October, when they showed greater resilience to earn a draw against Portugal, helping them steady their form and regain confidence. 

From that point on, performances started to improve. England picked up momentum with a series of important results, including well earned victories over Norway in November and France in March. 

Those wins proved crucial, not only boosting belief in the squad but also securing their place in this month's finals, where they would go on to compete among the top four teams and ultimately be crowned champions. 

Flawless in the Final

England delivered a confident and controlled performance in the final, producing their best display of the tournament when it mattered most. A quick start allowed them to take early control of the game, and from there they managed it effectively, combining attacking threat with solid organisation.

Their ability to score in key moments and maintain pressure put Sweden on the back foot, while their composure ensured they remained comfortable throughout. Overall, it was a mature and dominant performance that highlighted both quality and growth as a team.

Having only taken charge a matter of weeks before the final, newly appointed head coach Lydia Bedford could hardly have asked for a better introduction to her role, as her side delivered an incredible performance to secure the competition title. Speaking after the victory, Bedford expressed pride in her squad, saying:

“I’m incredibly proud, they’ve exceeded my expectations and they’ve gone one step further today.”

She highlighted not just the victory in the final, but the growth across the competition, adding:

“To win the game by three goals and to keep a clean sheet and perform the way they have across two games, the consistency they’ve shown is fantastic.”

To round off a hugely successful campaign, the Young Lionesses not only lifted the trophy but created an intention to quickly come together and deliver top quality performances when it matters most. Their ability to combine attacking threat with defensive skill across the competition highlights the level of composure and understanding across the team.