The Lionesses won the UEFA European Women’s Championships a few short hours ago, sending the nation headfirst onto a euphoric journey.
The Lionesses are the first high-ranking English team to win two major tournaments.
They are also the only England team to win a major championship on foreign soil.
But first how did the Lionesses make history in the European Women’s Final?
The game’s 1-1 draw saw Spain charge ahead when Mariona Caldentey hit the back of the net in the 25th minute.
England equalised in the second half thanks to Alessia Russo’s deft play in the 57th minute.
It was Chloe Kelly’s winning penalty that catapulted the Lionesses to UEFA European Women’s Championship Winners 2025.
Heroic Kelly’s slam dunk followed hot on the heels of Hannah Hampton’s two saves.
It is a win so very well deserved, perhaps too difficult to put into exact words what this means for the next generation of women’s football players.
I had no doubt it was going to be an action packed grand finale, and I knew penalties were going to be involved.
The players probably did too, so I can only imagine their mental resilience (hello, shredded nerves?) when playing against Spanish giants in what is undoubtedly one of the Lionesses’ history-making games.
I’m something of a vanilla supporter, I don’t really feel anything about football, but for some reason, around two thirds of the way into the game, I started getting hooked.
By the start of the penalties I had cracked open a bottle of La Chouffe and truffle crisps.
Mid-penalties I was clutching a box of tissues, upper lip dangerously wobbling with emotion.
When it became apparent we had won, I was so, so chuffed.
For the past hour, I have been trying to make sense of my relief, gratitude and immense pride for the Lionesses (see what I did there)?
Why did I feel it was a personal win? I wasn’t on the pitch, yet I felt I was.
I thought maybe in such a fractured world, where the level of political discourse is red-hot, and headlines are usually about war-torn countries, anything that is delivered with soul and happiness has to be good for the mind.