Image source, Getty Images
- Author, Emma Sanders
- Role, BBC Sport journalist
Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman says England’s men “know exactly what they have to do” to win Euro 2024 and is backing them to “bring it home”.
Dutchwoman Wiegman guided the Netherlands to Euros success in 2017 and the same with England in 2022.
She watched Gareth Southgate’s men beat her home country 2-1 in the semi-finals on Wednesday evening alongside the Lionesses’ players in a hotel in Norwich.
And despite admitting her “orange heart was hurting”, Wiegman is fully supporting England to beat Spain in the final on Sunday in Berlin (8pm BST).
“They know exactly what they have to do. It is their second [Euros] final, which is incredible,” said Wiegman.
“I just wish them all the best and in England you would say, ‘let’s bring it home’.
“We all know that football worldwide is the biggest sport. In England it’s on a different level [which I saw] since I came in and worked here.
“It’s so deep in society and the people support it so much. It’s incredible. I never, ever take it for granted. I think the whole country should be very proud of what the England men do.
“It’s not easy – that’s what we’ve seen too. It’s good to be English at the moment.”
Success makes us ‘relive special moments’
Manchester City forward Lauren Hemp was among those cheering on the men’s team as the Lionesses prepare for their Euro 2025 qualifier against the Republic of Ireland on Friday (8pm BST).
Wiegman’s side need to secure their spot in next year’s tournament in Switzerland in order to defend their European crown.
Despite being the only English side to win a senior major trophy since the men’s team won the World Cup in 1966, Hemp says the men “don’t need our advice”.
“They are on a journey themselves, they know what’s needed to win. They’re all very experienced players,” she added.
“Loads of those players have been in Champions League finals, many different finals, so I don’t think we need to give them any advice but obviously we’re all rooting for them and wish them the best.
“When we won the Euros it was probably the best day of my life to date. We want to do the same thing next year.
“It’s so nice to see the men’s team at the moment and it does make us relive those special moments.”
‘My heart is still in the Netherlands’
Image source, Getty Images
It was a strange scenario for Wiegman on Wednesday as the Netherlands conceded in the 90th minute, thanks to a superb strike from substitute Ollie Watkins.
Alongside her assistant Arjan Veurink, also from the Netherlands, Wiegman admitted she was “hurt” by the defeat despite wanting success for England.
“It was an intense game and of course a very good result. I wish Gareth Southgate and his team all the best but I also have a Dutch heart,” she told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“That orange heart hurt a little bit after the 90 minutes. I said before the game that I always win because I work here and have a connection with the people here – but my heart is still in the Netherlands.”
Hemp said the game “kept us on the edge of our seats” and she hopes it spurs them on to victory against the Republic of Ireland, then Sweden on Tuesday.
“We were all rooting for England and they managed to do it in the final few minutes which they always seem to do,” she added.
“It’s nice to see the success from the men’s team as well as that pushes us on to want to get those results.”