THE LIONESSES posed on the red carpet outside Downing Street after lifting the Euros trophy in a heroic win.
Sarina Wiegman’s troops secured a sensational second straight Women’s European Championship title last Sunday with a shootout victory over Spain in Basel.
Shutterstock EditorialEngland are the Euro 2025 champions after back-to-back continental wins[/caption]
Shutterstock EditorialManager Sarina Wiegman and the Lionesses celebrating with the trophy[/caption]
ReutersBritish Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner smiles during the reception to celebrate England’s victory[/caption]
Richard PohleThe squad celebrating with their medals[/caption]
PAEngland’s reliable super-sub Michelle Agyemang enjoying the celebrations[/caption]
The team arrived for a celebratory reception at Downing Street, hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock, just before 7pm on Monday.
Number 10 was decorated for the occasion, with St George’s flags draped over windows and bunting along the railings.
Team captain Leah Williamson was seen smiling and holding the Euros trophy as the team left their hotel in Zurich and began their journey home in the rain.
Other team members, wearing their medals, smiled as they high-fived supporters waiting outside the building and signed autographs.
Staff inside No 10 were seen applauding the Lionesses as they formed a guard of honour.
The England players and staff were given canapes and drinks at the reception.
Several of them posed for selfies and were seen chatting with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner gave a speech and welcomed the England Women’s team to Downing Street.
She was met with cheers when she began by saying: “The Lionesses have brought it home again”.
The Deputy PM added: “And what a fantastic feeling that is. Champions of Europe again.
“The Prime Minister is disappointed that he can’t be here, but like the rest of us he was cheering you on.
“You’ve made us all so so proud.”
She said: “Role models like you send such a powerful message. The Lionesses are a shining example of talent and excitement for women’s football.”
She thanked them for their hard work “from everyone at No 10 and across the country”.
England manager Sarina Wiegman also gave a short speech at Downing Street, which started by joking “this is different from standing next to a pitch”.
She said: “I have to make my apologies (for giving) you lots of heart attacks. We made it through and that’s why we’re here now.
“The team is just incredible, we won the Euros but making the final, we’re already legendary. Thank you so much for having us here.”
Meanwhile, Wiegman and some of the Lionesses received a call from the Prime Minister while they were at a reception in the Downing Street garden to celebrate their Euros victory.
The video-call lasted about five minutes and Wiegman could be heard saying “hello Keir, nice to see you”, adding “it’s lovely here”.
She thanked him for calling and for supporting the team throughout the tournament.
England bested the Spaniards 3-1 in the shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra time on Sunday.
Chloe Kelly slammed home the winning penalty to send the nation into a state of pandemonium.
PAEngland captain Leah Williamson holding the trophy arrives at No 10 Downing Street[/caption]
PAEngland hero Chloe Kelly laughs as the team celebrate at the reception[/caption]
ReutersThe Lionesses and the Deputy PM were all smiles[/caption]
Richard PohleThe Euro winners enjoyed drinks in the sunshine[/caption]
Richard PohleIt capped off a remarkable tournament for the Lionesses[/caption]
Kelly and her team-mates partied into small hours of the morning after their historic achievement.
And they were greeted by a chorus of cheers as they touched down in Old Blighty this afternoon.
Scores of footie fans waited for their heroines outside the terminal after getting wind of their arrival.
Supporters erupted in cheers at Southend Airport in Essex as they saw the white and red plane approaching the runway.
Tuesday will see the team enjoy an open-top bus procession along The Mall and a ceremony in front of Buckingham Palace.
However, the Government won’t commemorate the Lionesses’ latest trophy haul with a Bank Holiday.
After the game, the King said the team had the royal family‘s “warmest appreciation and admiration” in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Monarch Charles added: “The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can”.
A trip to Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle may be on the cards for the winning squad as it is understood possible plans for a reception in the autumn are being explored by royal aides.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed the team’s triumph, saying the Lionesses had “once again captured the hearts of the nation” and were “an inspiration for young people across the country”.
The Lionesses had a bumpy ride in Switzerland, but always managed to come up with the goods in the big moments.
Sarina Wiegman‘s side produced several Houdini acts before triumphing on penalties against world champions Spain in the final.
As the clock ticked down the match inevitably headed to penalties – with England getting off to a poor start as Beth Mead missed the first pen of the shootout
But Hampton saved twice – including one from Caldentey and another from superstar Aitana Bonmati.
Kelly, 27, kept her cool to slot home the decisive penalty as England retained their title as European champions via a shootout on a historic night in Basel.
The former Man City forward was the definition of a supersub, coming on for an injured Lauren James at the end of the first half and going on to set up Alessia Russo‘s equalising goal and netting the deciding spot kick.
PAThe heroic Lionesses were cheered on as they arrived[/caption]
PAThe England women’s football team arrived in Downing Street, London, for a reception at No 10[/caption]
EPAThe Lionesses celebrate retaining their trophy[/caption]
GRIP ON GLORY
Instagram / @lionessesAlex Greenwood with the trophy at airport security[/caption]
The trophy on its own jet seat
LIONESSES captain Leah Williamson kept a tight hold of the Euro trophy as the team heads home — but had to release her grip when she got to airport security in Zurich.
Before boarding the private jet bringing the victorious team back to England, the trophy was placed on a conveyor belt to go through a security scanner.
Afterwards teammate Alex Greenwood retrieved it from the rollers, with the trophy passing through without a hitch.
Once the team was on board, the sterling silver trophy — which is 2ft high and weighs just over a stone — was given its own seat where it took pride of place for the trip to Southend Airport.
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