ENGLAND fans have been warned to STAY AWAY from the airport as the Lioness heroes land back in the UK on Monday.
Sarina Wiegman‘s side won back-to-back Euros titles after defeating world champions Spain 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Switzerland last night.
EPAEngland fans have been urged not to travel to the airport as the Lionesses heroes return to the UK[/caption]
Hours after their wild celebrations, the Lionesses are preparing to leave their team hotel in Zurich
Lioness hero Lauren Hemp carrying a Swiss castle replica on her way to the coach
PAEngland’s Georgia Stanway was pictured outside the team’s hotel in Zurich on Monday morning[/caption]
PAReggie the Cavapoo, who is essentially an unofficial emotional support dog for the team, waved to fans this morning[/caption]
Team captain Leah Williamson brought the trophy to the coach
PAEngland’s player of the hour Chloe Kelly was among the last to venture out of the hotel[/caption]
But the FA have released a statement begging jubilant England fans to not travel to the airport, as the squad makes their triumphant return home.
A spokesperson wrote: “Our history-making Lionesses will return home this afternoon.
“But due to limited space at the airport, we would advise fans not to travel there today.
“Instead, we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in Central London tomorrow for the homecoming celebrations.”
The move is to ensure the players’ smooth and safe arrival, preventing potential overcrowding and logistical nightmares at what will be extremely busy airports in the midst of the summer holidays.
Manchester City star Lauren Hemp, who played the full 120 minutes in the final on Sunday, was among the first pictured leaving the team’s Zurich hotel on Monday morning.
Hemp was carrying a ‘fairytale’ Swiss castle replica on her way to the coach – similar to the five-star luxury hotel that the team stayed in.
Georgia Stanway and Jess Carter quickly followed, as the nations sweethearts made their way to the team coach to travel home.
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England’s unofficial team dog Reggie the Cavapoo was also snapped waving to cameras outside The Dolder Grand hotel on Monday.
Reggie belongs to the owner of Cheals on Wheels, a mobile barista bar accompanying the Lionesses on their Euros campaign.
PAThe Euros Young Player of the Tournament Michelle Agyemang snapped leaving the team hotel[/caption]
PAAlessia Russo, who scored the equaliser on Sunday, was full of smiles after winning back-to-back Euros[/caption]
PALegendary manager Sarina Wiegman waved to fans while boarding the team bus[/caption]
PAEngland stayed at a fairy-tale castle called The Dolder Grand in Zurich, Switzerland[/caption]
PAEngland’s Lauren James was carrying a bag of goodies as rain broke out[/caption]
PAEngland goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was protected from the downpour[/caption]
All the players were kitted out in signature Nike England tracksuits, with the caption ‘Home’ plastered across their white T-shirts, as they fans grabbed the last chance to ask for signatures.
England’s saviour and super sub Chloe Kelly was among the last to venture out of the hotel.
The 27-year-old Arsenal star fired home the crucial spot-kick to seal the title and set up the equaliser in normal time after replacing Lauren James in the 40th minute on Sunday,
As England now head back to London, there won’t be much rest for the stars as they prepare for a jam-packed day and week ahead.
First, the Lionesses will make their way to a special reception at 10 Downing Street in celebration of the historic victory on Monday afternoon.
Hosted by the Deputy Prime Minister and Sports Minister, the victorious side will be welcomed alongside coaches and representatives from the Football Association.
An open-top bus victory parade will then kick off on Tuesday in London.
Starting at 12.10pm, the bus will drive past fans along The Mall before ending with a staged ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace at around 12.30pm.
PAEngland’s Beth Mead hi-fives a young fan as the team leave the team hotel in Zurich[/caption]
PAThe team bus waved goodbye to their hotel just before midday[/caption]
Maya Le Tissier was the first to be spotted wearing her winners medal
PAJess Carter leaving the team hotel in Zurich[/caption]
A decision has been made on a bank holiday to celebrate the Lionesses historic winAP
GettyGrace Clinton and Jessica Park pose for a pic on Sunday[/caption]
England‘s historic win saw them become the first English side to win a major tournament on foreign soil.
It also saw them defend their 2022 Euros title, having beaten Germany 2-1 in the previous final at Wembley.
The parade will be broadcast live across the BBC, ITV and Sky between 12pm and 1pm for those who can’t make the historic event.
Thousands of fans in Zurich will be making the same journey home over the next few days – with many hoping to watch the parade on Tuesday.
Millions flocked to Switzerland to enjoy the football, along with the picturesque towns, crystal clear lakes and breathtaking Alpine scenery.
The Swiss stadium, with a capacity of 34,000, was completely sold out for the final.
This helped push the overall attendance to 657,000, surpassing the previous record of 574,875 set in 2022.
Sunday’s final was full of twists and turns, with England falling behind in the 25th minute to a header from Mariona Caldentey.
But the Lionesses roared back with a header of their own from Alessia Russo in the 57th minute to equalise the game.
The teams then tussled back and forth throughout the rest of normal and extra time before a nail-biting penalty shoot-out.
Ultimately, two heroic saves from Hannah Hampton allowed star player Kelly to fire home the winning penalty, securing victory for the Lionesses.
England celebrated long into the night after winning the European Championships
The room was packed with booze and loved ones
And the team will likely be feeling a little worse for wear ahead of their flight home after partying UNTIL 4AM on Monday morning.
After an emotional trophy lift and plenty of on-pitch celebrations, the England team kept the party going as they returned to their team hotel for a massive bash.
Friends, family, staff and loved ones all awaited the Lionesses as they flooded through the doors wearing their “CHAMPIONS 25” shirts.
While captain Leah Williamson and boss Wiegman even cut a custom-made football cake that had been brought in for the team to celebrate.
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