UEFA WOMEN’S EURO: We put words into action, says victorious boss Wiegman
LONDON: England manager Sarina Wiegman described her team’s 2-1 extra-time victory over Germany in the final of the Women’s European Championship as “really incredible.”
Goals from substitutes Ella Toone in the second half and Chloe Kelly in extra time edged England to their first victory in a major championship after Lina Magull had earned the Germans the right to the additional 30 mintes.
Wiegman, undefeated in 20 games in charge including 18 wins, said: “I think what we’ve done is really incredible. I’m so proud of the team. I think I need a couple of days to realise what we’ve done.
“It was so tight but who cares? We won 2-1 and we are European champions. If you really want to win and become better every single day, that’s what I have noticed the whole year. It’s been incredible. We agreed a couple of things on behaviours, they weren’t just words, we lived it – and this is the result.”
Wiegman paid tribute at the post-match press conference to her sister who had died during the build-up to the finals.
Match-winner Kelly, who had overcome a serious knee ligament injury in the spring, said: “This is what dreams are made of.
“As a young girl watching women’s football and now this, it’s unbelievable. These girls are special, the manager is special, and what a special group of staff. This is amazing. All my family are in the crowd – my mum, all my brothers, my sister, all my nephews, everyone.”
Captain Leah Williamson described lifting the trophy as “the prouest moment of my life.”
She added: “I am going to lap it up. Every single piece of advice I got was to take every single second in because you’re going to want to relive it over and over and I’ll be reliving that for a long time.”
“The legacy of this tournament is a change in society. It’s everything we’ve done. We’ve brought everyone together. We’ve got people to come to games and we want them to come to WSL games, but the legacy of this team is winners and this is the start of the journey.”
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net,” she said. “That’s because she can do it on the biggest stage of all.”
