England Into Euros Final After More Late Drama

0:09Hello everyone, Gary Lineker here. I'm sure you've all just seen England sneak through to the final of the Euros 2025 in spectacular fashion. Boy, did they make us suffer. And that late, late, late equaliser by Michel Anguimang. And then, of course, Chloe Kelly after the goalkeeper saved at the penalty right near the end of extra time. But however they did it, they did it. We wanted to give you a quick reminder that if you want to be following the tournament closely or more closely, make sure you're listening to our other show, The Rest is Football Daily Brightness. It's with Millie Bright and Rachel Daly.

0:54Both won the Euros, of course, with the Lionesses a few years ago, as they have quite literally been there and done it. Here's the episode from today for you to enjoy as they review England's 2-1 win against Italy and look ahead to the big final on Sunday. Before we kick off today's episode of Daily Brightness, a massive thank you to our proud partners, Shaw, for backing us since day one. What started as a leap into the unknown has turned into something really special for us and it means a lot to have Shaw with us on the journey backing us like teammates. Right Rach, we're into the summer. What does life after the WSL season look like for you?

1:32This year I just had a nice week at home, which was really nice to just get my feet back on the ground after travelling and everything. and then I went away for a couple of weeks and then it's hit the ground running. Pre-season programme starts. It's like the hardest thing ever. What about you? Yeah, I've really just taken a little bit of time to just do me really. Not been on any luxury holidays like you have because she sent me pictures every time you're away which has been nice but very jealous. Obviously we're going into a massive summer ahead for women's football. We're going to be backing the Lionesses, aren't we?

2:01Always. So a big thank you to Shaw for always showing up for us on and off the pitch and supporting the podcast and thank you all for tuning in. Whether you've been with us from the start or you're just jumping in now, there's so much more to come. Keep subscribing and keep watching.

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3:25Hello everyone and welcome to today's episode of Daily Brightness. We're celebrating the fact that England are through to the final of the Euros after another dramatic comeback victory against Italy. It's just me and Benji tonight. Millie can't make it, unfortunately. But Ben, talk to me. How's your heart? Do you know what? I have a formal complaint they want to make to Lionesses. Like, this is not good for any of us. No. The stress, the nerves, the anxiety. And what's mad is I still didn't feel that they were going to lose. Even as the clock was creeping down, knowing that you've got Michelle Adermang on the pitch, and she's starting to get that air of inevitability about her.

4:06Do you know what I mean? Starting to feel like something's going to drop her. It's mad to say I'm the same as you. I just feel like as soon as you start to see these subs coming on, you know these teams are getting a bit tired, it's a bit cagey, and then you just think, no, we're going to win. There's never a doubt in my mind. Even with two minutes to go in stoppage time, I'm like, no problem. Don't worry about it. It's so weird. But this is the same feeling that I had when I played for England. is it everyone will say oh we're so lucky whatever whatever yeah there's an element of luck but you create your own luck when you're that good do you know i mean like i'm not sitting here going we were amazing like we've been amazing the last few games no but no one gives a shit when the points are on the board and you're in the european final three finals in three tournaments the last three tournaments does that start to like seep into the the group because i think look i'm buzzing i'm i'm so excited for them and it's amazing if you think about the knock-on effect of making another final is unbelievable.

5:03But do you reckon, like, in that group, they're just starting to sort of think, like, this is going to happen. Like, this is meant to be. There's a reason we're getting all of these things going the right way at the right time. Yeah, but I think it's in the DNA. Do you know what I mean? Like, it's part of the culture now. Like, when you become a Lioness, like, it's already there. Like, you've got players like Lucy, Leah, Kira, like Alex, It's like big Beth, not big Beth, but like big, like experienced players that have already got that culture that's been created. And then you've got this absolute enormous amount of talent in the youth coming through.

5:42Like it's just, you can see it, like you can see that they've got the togetherness. The England DNA is to find a way to win. Like I said it from the beginning that we were going to win. Like I said it from literally daydaw that we were going to win this tournament. And I still have no doubt in my mind that we're not going to win this. like we're going to win this tournament for sure. Like I don't give a shit who we play next. Like it's England. It does feel like whoever we play and whatever happens, I think one of the things we're going to be looking back on is the, the subs, the finishes in this tournament.

6:10It just changes the dynamic of the game so much, doesn't it? That was literally my tweet. That was my tweet when Chloe scored. I was just like, oh shit, they're so good. Like they're just, but it's a theme, isn't it? Like look back, rewind to our Euros, like 2022, Tooney Les they come on and just change the game and it's the same thing like it's the it's like history is just repeating itself like but I'm so happy that they're thriving as well because it like we spoke about it last time didn't we like it's so difficult to be in that role you can use it to your advantage or you can use it as a negative and just blow on the bench don't give a fuck or you can go nah I'm a sub right now but when I come on I'm making the difference and I'll be the hero like Like Alessia was behind Ellen the whole Euros and just played phenomenally.

7:00Scored so many goals. I impacted the game so much. Tooney the same. It's like, it really makes me happy. And I think obviously Chloe's shining as well. But yeah, for a young kid like Michelle, honestly, I jump through the roof when she does well. Like I just want to see success for her. And the one that hit the bar. Oh my God. What a casual little finish. Keeper was in no man's land as well. I was like, see you later. That is one of my favourite types of finish. You know, when the keeper watches it over their head and you just see it arc in, you think if that drops in, we're talking about this forever.

7:31I feel like Chloe Kelly has got this, look, we obviously need to talk about Michelle Adramanga as well. The way that she seems to be able to come on and influence games with so little experience and yet she's shining on this stage, which is just unbelievable. And at the same time, I feel like Chloe Kelly, they both do it in different ways. Chloe Kelly comes on and you can almost see from the way that she's carrying herself she's like oh by the way I'm going to win this game for her it's a little swaggy swaggy isn't it like she's got like that aura and like that air of like it's not arrogance it's like it's pure confidence supreme confidence yeah it's like don't worry about it even the penalty right it's quite hard if you miss a penalty like that like I think it's difficult to like switch on to like get that rebound there's obviously other people around you but like instant reaction is fuck yeah yeah and like even just a celebration she's just like you know you know it's always gonna happen like those two i just think it's it's absolutely it's sick it's so good i love absolutely love stuff like that when you see them coming on is there still that part of you because i saw it across social media so much tonight just going i would have wanted to see them 20 minutes earlier but that's the thing right that is the thing people want it's really it's a fine balance isn't it right because who's to say if like i don't know serena changed the whole team and then started the players that are impacting and whatever what if it doesn't work like we've not tried that yet what we know is that that is working so what i could argue is maybe a little bit sooner but yeah yeah equally like it's working so like don't fix what isn't broken like that's that's my thoughts like you saw it in the last or I was tuning in Alessia, 60 minutes, bang, every single time, changed the game every single time.

9:16So, yeah, people will call out, start them, start them, start them, but there's so much to be said for people that can come on and make a difference. It's really difficult to do. Like, as a player coming on, that first, like, five, ten minutes, it's like you're bloody breathing in blood. It's so hard. Like, the emotions are high. Like, you're trying to get up to speed. The game's flowing. Like, to be able to come on and change a game like that is not an easy thing to do. and there's only a certain amount of people that can do it so it's it's a difficult one for me like I'd love to see them play the whole game don't get me wrong but equally the other players are also wearing the other players into the ground and then it's it's a good opportunity for them to I don't know I'm not a manager like you said in Serena we trust she's got it right so far so and also that what you said there is like so bang on the money with the tempo thing about getting up to speed the game because this game was so bitty like Italy in the second half bitterly they

10:17in the second half they made it just horrible to the point where you sort of almost wanted to throw my TV out the window they every single minor touch down 30 seconds killed every goal kick 30 seconds killed every throw in 30 seconds gone you just like it's nauseating it's so frustrating to watch to the point where you kind of almost admire it you're almost like this is actually like fair play the way that they're killing this and it it was so fitting that england got back into the game by them having a lapse like it was their error they should have gone and like taken care of the ball both in extra time and in normal time they should have just taken care of the ball just a little bit better in this final couple of minutes just a little bit of naivety maybe and then it as as the camera cuts to Giurelli on the sideline and she's like almost celebrating that you could see that was possibly the moment that it was always going to be that image because if England then had a sniff, if any Italian players are thinking, oh, we're there, we're done with three minutes to go, that was like a huge error.

11:27But equally, that's like what Sweden did. It's almost like they'd gone early, started early thinking, all right, okay, we're fine now, we're cruising, like whatever. Italy missing that chance, obviously Hannah coming up massive again, but that late on in the game you score that it's game over right we don't see it like England are out there but again it's like you just have that like Hannah's going to save it or like we're not going to concede again like I don't know I just think it's one of them where you get into those final like latter stages of the game and you're just like England are going to win no problem but I do think what is wrong with defenders like at the minute like why are you pulling Beth Mead like what was the need as the Italian defender to do that.

12:09Like, what are you doing? You're giving your team a 50-50 chance of going to a European Championship final in three minutes if you just stand up and defend your space. What are you doing? I mean, I'm buzzing about it. Don't get me wrong. Let's go. I'm here for the penalty. What outrageous from Mido is so smart, isn't it? It's just so good because like, she's pulling a little bit. She just gets her to lean into her and then goes down in front of the referee. But as a defender, you've got to know that that's coming. Like you're playing against some of the most top players in the world right now.

12:41And most experienced, like, what are you doing? Oh, I look like I'm angry about it, but I'm just fucking buzzing. Do more of that. It's just, I just think it's so, that is the, that's the difference, isn't it? It's those that are like the little gains that you need, just a little bit of inexperience at that moment to just not, it was so smart from Beth Mead. And it was like the polar opposite of what we were talking about the other day with Germany, like getting a red card for a hair pull. Like this one was just so subtle. It was like Beth just getting into a position where she knew she could go down.

13:19And the moment the ref gives it, it's not going to get overturned because she was so close. It was just magic. And then literally every part of me thinks Chloe Kelly is going to smash that penalty into the top corner. Oh, I absolutely said. I said top bins. And then, I don't know. I don't know. It was a weird one. but who gives a shit she scored the rebound you just don't care now the job done onto the final right shall we take a quick break and then come back and discuss how we're going to the final and the celebrations tonight let's do it this episode is brought to you by Tinder people think that dating is to just find the one mill but I think there's so much more to it than that we spoke about it before about you know you have a soulmate in life but you have a soul best friend and you're my soul best friend as you know I don't think it should be looked upon as just a dating app you might want just a companion or you know you could have an unexpected friendship blossom I think it's quite small-minded just to think of it as oh I have to find like a it's a relationship I'm looking for like no it's you could find a friendship and that could be someone that you rely on for the rest of your lives I think we've heard a lot of success stories from tinder from people in relationships and stuff but like you said it's not just about that it's about you might not get on with them romantically but they might become your best friend or someone that you can go to the pub with and have a drink with or go do a pub quiz with so I think there is a lot of success behind that as It's not just finding the one.

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16:21Welcome back to the rest is football daily brightness. Let's have a quick natter about how things are going to go down over the next 48 hours. Rachel, I'm so intrigued to know what happens after you come off the pitch in a semi-final. This one probably a little bit more dramatic, I suppose. I think first things first, they're probably going to be like, we've done it again. But I think, yeah, I think initially, of course, you're celebrating like in the change rooms. I hope the girls are like buzzing because, do you know what? It doesn't matter how you win. like for me you win you're in the final no one gives a shit about the score no one gives a damn how you play like you're in the final so there'll be initial celebrations I think obviously rest and recovery and then yeah focus on I'm sure they'll all be watching the game together obviously a big semi-final see who they've got in the final that's it's lovely not having that pressure right they can literally sit there and just go right just soak this one up see who it is yeah chill out over there do they do anything so we're recording this on Tuesday night at Cillia Clark.

17:22Do they do anything? Yeah, cheers girls. If they could win the final in regulation, that would be great. Yeah, serious. Do they do anything tomorrow? Do you train? Yeah, so the players that didn't play much will train. It's the same sort of schedule all the way through. And then the players that have played over 60, so pretty much half of them, will usually be like rest and recovery. and then, yeah, obviously just focus on watching the next game. But I think what's exciting about this year is if it's Spain, it's a repeat of the World Cup final. If it's Germany, it's a repeat of the Euro final.

17:58So it's like there's no coincidence that these teams are consistently making it through. That's what I love about it. But I don't know if they're going to have a preference of who they want to play against. I don't know. I think they're very much, we focus on ourselves. So whoever it is, we'll just deal with it. And, yeah, obviously the preparation will be right. and the analysis team will be working hard behind the scenes and the staff to prepare them for whoever it is. But I'm not sure if they'd have a preference, to be honest. Will it be easier now, once you get to this point, you've got four days to prepare?

18:30Obviously, there'll be a lot of noise from the outside. Will they have got into a pattern now where nothing really will get through, where they've kind of got their bubble, they know their patterns, they know their behaviours. Will they be quite calm, shutting the noise out? Yeah, I think so. Obviously, they've got this far. It's been a consistent theme for England to be in finals for the last few years. So I think, like I say, you've got the experienced players that have been through that that will be guiding the younger players and pulling them along and sort of taking them under their wings.

18:59But I don't think so. I think they've got this far and there's so much quality. I think they're just on to the next one. It's just another game. Do you know what I mean? And I think obviously there is a massive expectation. But they'll be so well prepared. and so well trained to just sort of just tunnel vision on. It's just us, like we've just 90 minutes of, well, maybe 120 minutes of our preparation and what we're good at. I think that extra day is massive as well. I think it's huge. I think two lots of 120s basically. And that's no easy thing to do. I don't know what actually what the weather's like there at the minute, but I mean, it's been a long, obviously a long summer, a long season.

19:40It won't be easy. I mean, the bodies are going to be, they've put the bodies on the line. And yeah, I think hopefully LJ is okay coming off at halftime. So all the ice struck down her ankle. So I think it's just like mad. They're so robust as well. Like they went into this game with 23 fit players, like after that last 120, everyone was like walking wounded. But yeah, I think another, an extra day will be, will be crucial for them. This is one of those ones now where you just, I know we said it before the semi-final, but even more so for the final because Leah came off as well. And I might be reading too much into it, but just the way she was running when she came off, I was like, she looks uncomfortable.

20:15She looks like she's maybe still hobbling a little bit as well. But you just know now there is no way any of those players are going to let Serena say, I don't think you're up to it. No, and I think that's like a testament to Leah as well. Do you know what I mean? Like we spoke about before, it's like playing, like I'm sure she wasn't comfortable tonight with her ankle, you know, after how badly she rolled it and we saw her against Sweden. but just a pure leader to get through that, to get through the pain, to shut everything out and just go, right, semi-final, focus on winning this game, give absolutely everything and play through whatever pain I'm in.

20:51And that's, you know, it's a true leader. It's someone who wants to win and, yeah, massive respect for her. You know, hopefully she went off tonight just as a tactical thing rather than anything wrong. But, again, precautionary maybe, save the legs for the final and I'm absolutely buzzing me. I can't wait for the final. I know it would be so special I do I do just want to give a shout out to Esme as well dropped in at centre back we we said there might be tactical tweaks it might be changes and barring the the goal which I think is one of those ones where they'll go away and analyze it afterwards and say we probably could have stopped that five times over there's so many points for the Italy goal where you felt like oh on another night you don't concede that I think she handled that occasion in that situation unbelievably well I mean I think anybody stepping into a team where you've not featured much the mental like switch on that you've got to have throughout the whole tournament to be focused and be ready that if your time comes I watched a press conference with her and I thought she spoke really well about you know I'm sure Leah is going to be ready but all I can do is my best to be ready and I thought that was really good and anyone that steps into a game starting a game in the semi-final of the Euros I mean that's such a big challenge in itself so absolutely massive credit to her for stepping in and delivering a really good performance and I'm sure she's going away absolutely buzzing with that tonight and helped the team to another victory and yeah, shout out because that's not an easy thing to do especially not centre-back She's got to go win another Euros on Sunday now Exactly, bring back that gold Easy work Right, that's it for today's episode of the rest of this football daily brightness.

22:37We'll be back later in the week getting excited about the massive, massive, massive game on Sunday. But for now, it's goodbye from me. Have a great week, everyone. Bye from me.

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23:29No two football players are exactly alike, and the same is true off the field. That's why State Farm gets to know you so they can help personalize coverage for your life and budget. And like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. This episode is brought to you by ChatGPT. Hey, it's Bill Simmons from the Bill Simmons Podcast. Have you guys heard about ChatGPT work? It's the new way to use ChatGPT for bigger multi-step projects. And when you need more than just answers, Give ChatGPT work access to your apps and files, and it can create real work documents like spreadsheets, slides, and structured reports.

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