London, Jun 28 (AP) England will look to eliminate the 鈥渘oise鈥 when it kicks off its campaign to retain the Women鈥檚 European Championship crown.
The defending champions travel to Switzerland as one of the favourites at the 16-team tournament, despite recent upheaval in the squad, after winning last time and finishing runner-up to Spain in the 2023 World Cup.
Euro 2022 saw England triumph on home soil and secure the country鈥檚 first senior title since the men鈥檚 team won the World Cup in 1966. And, in a soccer-mad country, that success has ratcheted up the hype around the Lionesses.
鈥淢y experience is before a major tournament there鈥檚 always noise,鈥 England coach Sarina Wiegman said.
鈥淪o we expect noise until we go into the tournament, and it probably stays.
鈥淭he difference is that 鈥 now, just the attention and the visibility of the women鈥檚 game has increased so much. So it sounds like that鈥檚 more noise, but there鈥檚 just more talk, more journalists here 鈥 we just have to deal with it and move on and focus on football.鈥 The 55-year-old Wiegman, who took charge of the Lionesses in September 2021, is bidding to make it a hat trick of European Championship titles, as she steered the Netherlands to the trophy in 2017.
However, a chaotic week leading up to her Euro 2025 squad announcement saw several key, experienced players pull out of selection for the tournament.
Star defender Millie Bright declared herself unavailable, saying she was not ready 鈥100% mentally or physically,鈥 while goalkeeper Mary Earps and midfielder Fran Kirby retired from international soccer. All three were in England鈥檚 title-winning team at Euro 2022.
鈥淲e can only control ourselves and how good we can be,鈥 England captain Leah Williamson said.
鈥淭hat noise it鈥檚 there, it is a factual thing, and of course there will be times when it will weigh heavier than others, but ultimately I think we鈥檙e very much focused on this new task which has changed dramatically.
鈥淭he two tournaments of the Euros are incomparable really in terms of what鈥檚 out there and what鈥檚 to come,鈥 she added, 鈥渟o I think it will be very exciting for us and we鈥檙e excited for that new challenge as this new team.鈥 Bright had knee surgery but Earps鈥 surprise move came after she fell behind Chelsea鈥檚 Hannah Hampton in the goalkeeping pecking order. It leaves Hampton as the only capped shot-stopper in a relatively inexperienced squad.
The group includes 13 players who lifted the trophy three years ago, but there are also seven players heading into their first major tournament.
And Wiegman is hoping to have found a winning blend of experience and youth.
鈥淲hen I came in, the team was very experienced. But I do think we have enough experience in the team,鈥 Wiegman said.
鈥淭here鈥檚 about 16 players who have played a major tournament. Also with playing at such a high-level club, you are experienced with having media around, playing for big crowds. So I don鈥檛 think that鈥檚 a problem.
鈥淚 think the experience is enough, the balance with very young, with players that are coming in and playing the first tournament, they are so eager too.鈥 In the build-up to Euro 2025, the Lionesses had ups and downs in the Nations League, where in their last three games they lost at Belgium 3-2, beat Portugal at home 6-0, and lost at Spain 2-1.
So there is uncertainty surrounding the team鈥檚 title defense, which begins with a Group D opener against France on July 5 in Zurich.
England also plays the Netherlands, which is Wiegman鈥檚 home nation, as well as tournament debutant Wales.
鈥淏efore every tournament, things are different,鈥 Wiegman said.
鈥淎nd, to be honest, before every tournament you have your doubts. I think that鈥檚 completely normal because if we all knew what was going to happen, then it would be very boring too.鈥 AP SSC SSC