56 YEARS OF ANGUISH ARE FINALLY OVER
THE Lionesses brought football home after a glorious victory at Wembley.
Sarina Wiegman toasted an “incredible and unbelievable” moment after Chloe Kelly’s extra- time winner (left) secured England’s first major trophy since 1966.
England’s players barged into Wiegman’s press conference, chanting: “It’s
Coming Home!”
They will have a celebration party in
Trafalgar
Square today after the women won their first piece of silverware, in front of a record 87,192 crowd.
England boss Wiegman said: “We won the cup. It is unbelievable. It is incredible.
“We had the whole of England behind us, we’ve had so much support from the fans and we did an incredible job.
I’m so proud of the whole team, players and staff.
“For the first time in years, I had a beer! I don’t really like it but I drank it. It will take time for all of this to settle in.
“Now we’ve got a party. There were so many strong nations, so many countries, and it’s not easy to win this tournament.
“It will be even stronger at the World Cup. But now it’s time to party, then have some time off, prepare for the World Cup qualifiers and go again.
“England were ahead of the Netherlands, this team were far ahead in development, but the whole country stood behind us inside and outside of the tournament.
“This tournament has done so much for the game, but also for women and society. It’s wonderful to make this change.” Wiegman (with assistant Arjan Veurink, top) hailed matchwinner Kelly
and said: “To get picked was very close and tight. She had only just started to play again after injury, she needed some rhythm.
“But what’s really, really nice for her is that she had a long-term injury and then she scores this goal. It’s incredible and I’m so happy for her. It’s such a special moment for her.”
Kelly (below), who celebrated her 110th-minute winner by tearing off her shirt and wheeling away in delight, said: “It’s amazing, thank you everyone, this is what dreams are made of as a young girl watching women’s football. Wow, this is unbelievable.”
England captain Leah Williamson said: “I just can’t stop crying. Something like this, we talk and talk and we finally did it. It’s about doing it on the pitch and I’ll tell you what, the kids are all right.”