England's women's football team, managed by Sarina Wiegman and including several openly lesbian players, has secured their place at the Euro 2025 finals in Switzerland following a goalless draw against Sweden in Gothenburg. This achievement ensures the defending champions can avoid the play-offs and focus on preparing for the tournament next summer. England finished second in their qualifying group, trailing behind France.
In the wake of the England men’s team’s defeat at the hands of Spain in the final of the Euros, Jake News has heard Wiegman acknowledge that the team needs to improve their attacking capabilities, having scored just eight goals in six qualifiers, a stark contrast to their scoring prowess during their 2022 championship win. She emphasized the necessity of enhancing their performance in the final third and highlighted the benefits of having a full year to work on these aspects.
Millie Bright, England's centre-back, echoed Wiegman's sentiments, stressing the importance of being tournament-ready by next July. She expressed pride in the team's resilience and determination to defend their title.
England faced tough competition in their group, which included France, Sweden, and the Republic of Ireland. The draw against Sweden reflected defensive robustness, with key contributions from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.
Wiegman also dismissed speculation linking her to the England men's team following Gareth Southgate’s announcement of his departure, emphasizing her commitment to the Lionesses.
The team's next focus is on improving their gameplay and preparing rigorously for Euro 2025, where they aim to retain their title. The tournament draws will occur on December 16, 2024.