England’s Lionesses stood tall once again, toppling reigning world champions Spain to retain their European title in Basel. But behind the grit, penalties and celebrations was one constant force: Sarina Wiegman.
There was something poetic about fans belting out “Three Lions” as Sarina swayed in celebration, another star earned, another tournament conquered. “I kept thinking, ‘how is this even real?’” Wiegman admitted. And yet, real it was, etched in history.
The 2025 tournament was a rollercoaster, wild and unpredictable. England’s run wasn’t built on domination but on fight, resilience and belief, hallmarks of Wiegman’s leadership. In her words, “This was proper England.” Players gave everything. Last-ditch blocks, full-blooded tackles, endless running even when their tanks were empty. That sheer will is what stuck with her.
At full-time, Wiegman remained the calm within the storm. While fans erupted and players wept, she was composed, reflective, proud. Her pre-match instruction? Just three simple words: “Enjoy the moment.” That’s exactly what they did.
This win didn’t come easy. Spain suffocated them with possession, yet England found a way. That’s Wiegman’s magic, grinding out results when flair isn’t enough. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was effective. This was the fifth time they came back from the brink, each time clawing, fighting, surviving. Her methods may not wow tacticians, but they bring silverware.
“She’s unbelievable,” Chloe Kelly said. “She believed in me when I had none left. She gave me another shot at wearing this jersey.”
Kelly’s redemption arc, from struggling at Manchester City to Champions League and Euros glory, mirrors Wiegman’s belief system. Every player matters. Every story counts. Whether it was Hannah Hampton’s penalty heroics, Jess Carter rising above abuse to shine in the final, or Lucy Bronze pushing through the pain, Wiegman saw the best in each of them and brought it out.
She’s now won three straight European titles. That’s not luck. That’s dominance. Even her supposed failures, two narrow losses in World Cup finals, prove how close she’s come to complete international supremacy.
More than tactics or formations, Wiegman builds culture. A team that knows how to suffer, grind and never give up. She doesn’t just coach, she galvanizes.
“What she’s done for the game, not just in England but in the Netherlands too, it’s transformational,” Kelly added. “We owe her so much.”
Wiegman doesn’t dwell on individual praise. She deflects, elevates others and stays grounded. But her legacy is written in bold. Two stars on the shirt. A generation inspired. A blueprint for winning when everything seems lost.
So how will she celebrate? Maybe a little dance. Maybe a small drink. But knowing Wiegman, she’s already thinking about the next mountain to climb.
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