David Beckhamdelivered a strong message of encouragement for the Lionesses on Saturday as millions got ready to support the team againstSpain in Sunday night’s European Championship final.
With the Prince of Wales traveling to Switzerland on Sunday for the game, and over 15 million people anticipated to watch from home, Sir David expressed his admiration forSarina WiegmanTheir team for their remarkable initiative.
Sir David stated, “The entire nation has witnessed how our Lionesses have once more battled their way to the final, showcasing the resilience and perseverance that we recognize as the core strength of this outstanding team and of our country.”
Best of luck, girls. We are all supporting you, and we believe you will do your best for the final.
If the England team secures victory in the Euros for the second time within three years, the squad will generate millions through Football Association bonus payments, sponsorship rewards, endorsement agreements, and income from social media.
Each team member could receive over £70,000 as part of a rumored £1.7 million bonus pool from the FA — £18,000 more than their payout for winning.Germany at Wembley in 2022.
The 23 players will also split 40 percent of UEFA’s prize money pool among themselves, which amounts to a minimum of £87,000 each due to their advancement to the final.
The excitement will be highest on Sunday night in the players’ hometowns. In Studley, Warwickshire, where goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was raised, locals have knitted postbox covers in the green color of the 24-year-old’s jersey.
At the same time, hundreds of supporters are anticipated to assemble in Lucy Bronze’s hometown of Alnwick, Northumberland, where the 33-year-old has recently unveiled a pavilion named after her at a youth football club.
A FA patron, the Prince of Wales, has postponed his summer vacation to attend. In 2023, he declined to fly to Australia to watch England face Spain in the women’s World Cup final. The trip was considered too lengthy for such a brief visit. The Lionesses lost that match, but his absence was not well-received.
His intention to depart on Sunday was disclosed following the Lionesses’ overtime victory against Italy on Tuesday, which drew a maximum TV audience of 10.2 million – the highest viewership for ITV this year.
England got a significant boost last night as Wiegman announced that star player Lauren James, 23, who had to leave the semi-final due to an ankle injury, would be available for the match against Spain.
Wiegman, who believes England’s exciting tournament could be adapted into a movie, mentioned that the last-minute comebacks against Sweden and Italy in the quarterfinals and semifinals boosted her team’s confidence.
She said, “You don’t desire a stressful match, but it highlights the level of competition. The women’s game is advancing rapidly—each match is challenging. The key is for the players to believe they can win and influence the game. That’s what we’ve demonstrated.”
Captain Leah Williamson, 28, who has also dealt with an ankle injury, stated: ‘You don’t want to be a fleeting success. Before 2022 we mentioned that it was the beginning of something.’
Speaking about Spain being considered as favorites, she remarked: “We must be at our peak to defeat Spain – I believe they also need to be at their best to beat us.”
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