First a message from our editor, James Andrew:
Three summers in the past, the Lionesses captured the general public’s creativeness and a spotlight after they defeated Germany at Wembley to win the Euros.
The day of the ultimate, I bear in mind sitting in a London pub the place the sport was on within the background. Because the minutes ticked by and extra folks took curiosity, further TVs have been switched on as England pushed for glory, and when Chloe Kelly poked dwelling her extra-time clincher, the entire place erupted.
Since then, Wembley has seen the ‘offered out’ signal slapped on the door for a number of Lionesses fixtures, whereas WSL crowds proceed to soar with quite a few top-tier stadia internet hosting matches. So, as one other competitors beckons, the ladies’s recreation has one other alternative to seize the hearts of followers.
On this difficulty, we converse to 5 members of Sarina Wiegman’s aspect – golden boot-winning Beth Mead, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Fran Kirby and Alessia Russo – who’re hoping to defend their crown in Switzerland. We additionally chat to Wales star Jess Fishlock, who at 38 years younger will lead her nation out at their first main match, nearly twenty years on from her debut. Get pleasure from!
James
Euro 2025 Information
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Get clued up on the Swiss showpiece with an additional 36-page complement, additionally that includes our suggestions for the golden boot and 25 causes to like Euro 2025.
Huge Wallchart
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Observe the Lionesses’ progress from Zurich to St Gallen and past courtesy of our colossal poster. You possibly can even fill in every accomplished group desk as you go.
England: Lengthy could they reign
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For the primary time since 1970, an England senior staff will try and defend their title. The Lionesses haven’t had issues all their very own method since that wondrous Wembley day at Euro 2022, however they’re decided to retain their crown.
Wales: The wait is over
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It’s been 19 years since Jess Fishlock made her debut for Wales – now, at 38, she’s led them to their first main match, and is eyeing a Euros report…
Spain: Simply allow us to play
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La Roja’s World Cup pleasure was overshadowed by off-field chaos – this time, they, together with fit-again Alexia Putellas, need their soccer to do the speaking.
Sweden: The following step
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Chelsea winger Johanna Rytting Kaneryd is Sweden’s reigning participant of the yr – after bagging bronze Down Below in 2023, she fancies an excellent higher medal.
Sheva tells his story
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Andriy Shevchenko fled the Chernobyl catastrophe to change into the world’s finest footballer – in his personal phrases, the Ukrainian icon relives a profession impressed by Valeriy Lobanovskyi’s clocks and Ian Rush’s boots, and explains why president Volodymyr Zelensky can at all times depend on him.
Membership World Cup crib sheet
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Every little thing you should know concerning the American extravaganza, from Barry Norman and crocodiles to chinwags with John Terry and David James. After a lot scepticism, can it set up itself as considered one of soccer’s prestigious occasions?
From The Vault: 1985
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The Heysel catastrophe in Belgium dropped at an finish 11 weeks of turmoil, during which 96 soccer followers went to observe the game they cherished however by no means got here dwelling. Forty years on, FFT remembers the tragic inspiration for a brand new fan daybreak.
The rise of the Basque Nation
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Athletic Bilbao and Actual Sociedad have gone deep in Europe in latest instances, by mining fertile native expertise swimming pools. In a four-day journey to the Spanish area, FFT visits these golf equipment and extra to learn the way quarries in Euskal Herria proceed to thrive.
Owen Hargreaves solutions YOUR questions
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The previous Bayern Munich, Manchester United and England midfielder spills the beans on European glory, harm heartache and hurtful jibes from Cherie Blair.
Across the grounds within the EFL, non-league and Scotland
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The Loopy Gang’s final man standing, Dean Lewington , discusses his outstanding, record-breaking longevity, MK Dons retirement and the break up that shook soccer.
Manchester’s different breakaway membership: FC United could hog the limelight, however they’ve been round nowhere close to so long as Maine Highway FC…
In Finest & Worst , diehard Falkirk followers James and David Maxwell have a good time Kevin McAllister, sinking Paolo Di Canio’s Celtic and Brockville’s pungent loos.
Fleetwood, India, Nepal: 4-time EFL promotion-winning boss Simon Grayson is having fun with South Asia, however hopes the journey will result in a job again dwelling…
I want I used to be a baller: A number of ex-pros have had that want granted within the new Baller League – they share their experiences of the six-a-side competitors.
The Mixer
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Our newest round-up of soccer’s must-have merchandise contains Kaka’s Gordon Gekko-style trench coat, Nurnberg’s anniversary shirt, Milan’s groundbreaking girls’s assortment and the Salah-endorsed watch that’ll set you again £800,000.
Wish to get one thing in The Mixer? DM Deputy Editor Matt Ketchell
Upfront
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Ex-Chelsea and Brazil man Juliano Belletti names the video games that modified his life , whereas Jules Breach displays on the influence of the Lionesses’ Euro 2022 win.
Put your soccer information to the take a look at with our quiz about Italian talismen and Brazilian aim machines, then peruse My Soccer the place badminton Olympic medallist Gail Emms talks dodging Shearer pictures and her mum’s Azteca heroics.
Elsewhere, we debate if Wrexham’s fast rise via the leagues is a fairytale.
Within the Gamers Lounge this month…
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Paul Dickov revisits Manchester Metropolis’s last-gasp play-off comeback at Wembley, Egil Ostenstad describes his ‘hat-trick’ towards Manchester United and the magic of Matt Le Tissier, plus Liam Ridgewell remembers irking Sir Alex Ferguson.
Good XI
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The previous Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Leicester man speaks up for Steve Chettle and insists Lars Bohinen suited his type higher than Jamie Redknapp.
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