Upfront's Euro 2025 Awards! | Euro 2025 #16

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1:28Rachel: welcome to up front i'm chloe morgan and i'm rachel o'sullivan i think we're all still recovering from sunday night so is my voice but it is time to look back on euro 2025 what a tournament it has been who were our heroes of this tournament what was my spiciest moment what was rachel's favorite snap you'll find out all of that and much much more so stay tuned for our final episode of Euro 2025. Rach, we've done it. We've reached another major tournament in our upfront history. Episode 16 of this tournament, we've averaged pretty much an episode every two days. It has obviously taken it out of us.

2:12Rachel: There's been some very early mornings, some very dramatic moments, a lot of emotional turmoil as we've progressed and not known what's going to happen day to day or what kind of mood we're going to be in as the next day for the pod. I mean, how are you feeling first off, mate? Knackered, to be honest. I think it all kind of, I mean, this is the thing that you're tired throughout, but I think when you then finally stop, it does kind of hit you. So, but I'm on holiday now. So I think that's going to just all dissipate once we finally close the chapter on these podcasts. I agree. I think the early mornings definitely have kind of, yeah, it's definitely been a little bit more difficult but lifted spirits we are still in the glow of the Euros win um I'm off to the parade later I cannot wait it's going from Trafalgar Square all the way down the mall down to Buckingham Palace where the Lionesses are going to be announced on stage is the the Euro 2025 champions um I heard from a couple of people today that people are already like setting up tents setting up seats just feels like such a a glorious moment and there were so many beautiful uh photos and credit to Nike actually I don't know if anyone's seen the plane that they flew home in but it's um it was a white plane adorned with the um home it said home in written in letters but they're taking out the little bit that connects the two um like long bits of H uh so they made look it so it made it look like it was like two obviously winning the second trophy but yeah massive credit tonight because it looked like such a and then they had like the trophy coming through like the baggage claim as well which is another great bit of content but yeah it just feels like we're still in this glow i can't wait to go down see the bus see the more waving see the more jubilant it is a little bit gray here which is a little bit disappointing but so many good vibes around london like so many people saying they're gonna line bike it down there at lunchtime and try and get the best spots but race you're gonna miss it i'm gonna be there it finally feels like you're gonna have the fomo which i've had the entire tournament yeah but i won't i've been there done that done a trophy lift tournament parade all of that jazz okay i got the t-shirt So I'm very happy to be in Lake Como and not doing it, to be totally honest.

4:13Actually, just what you say there about the trophy coming through security. I think they actually do do that because two years ago when Barcelona won against Wolfsburg, we were getting, obviously flying home and the Barcelona team were flying home at the same time and they were behind us in the security queue and the trophy is out and has to be checked. And then I Tanabon Mati was sat like next to me while I was packing my bag with a Champions League trophy on her lap, just waiting for everyone else to come through. so that's accurate That is absolutely mad

4:40Rachel: can you imagine the audacity of a team that tried to sneak something illegal through baggage claim in the trophy I mean that what on earth but how are you feeling now the dust has sested on England's victory how are you reflecting on the England win Well I think like if we compare it to Euro 2022 which was magic and you know had never done it before you know your first time only happens like you only do it for the first time once. So that's always going to be a very unique situation. And for your first one to be a home tournament, I think all of that is just such a magical experience. And I don't think that will ever be replicated.

5:21And I think that's fine. I think it doesn't mean that you get used to it. And it doesn't mean that when it happens again, it's not special. I think what made this one special, and maybe the reason it's harder, longer for it to settle, is because of the nature of the tournament for England and how difficult it was and how it went to extra time and how they had to play three extra times back to back, go to penalty, shoot out twice. Like just all of that, I think makes it harder to just be like, holy shit, I still can't really believe that they've actually managed to do it. And to turn up in the way they did in the final, for the final to be a real battle and good game of football.

6:03yeah I think it's maybe because it's not in England as well so and I'm still away maybe it just takes longer to settle but I do think the nature of it just makes it that's what makes it special in its own right I think is the fact that a it's away from England and b how hard not that they didn't work hard in 2022 but how they had to graft to get keep their hands on the trophy I

6:24Rachel: think that makes it special no definitely and I think um I mean we were talking a little bit before the pod started about like the difference between the Euro 2022 win and this win and I think going into Euro 2022 I don't know how you felt Rach but it just felt like there was a belief that we would do it that actually there was something special in that year having a home tournament I think we were all off the back of Covid there was this like hope and like positivity around the squad and there was a real belief that actually we're going to do it and obviously they went on and did it and it felt like there was some really awesome performances that took place that he had galvanised hope as he went through the tournament.

6:58Rachel: This was a completely different vibe. I think going into this tournament, there was a bit of a cloud of negativity. It was a bit greyer, I think. I think the expectation was a lot lower. I think obviously, you know, we've seen some inconsistent performances with England this year. We then saw a spate of injuries. We weren't sure if Lauren James was going to be a part of it, whether Lauren Hemp was going to be a part of it. And then we had the news about Millie Bright and Mary Earps dropping out. So I think going into this tour, and then obviously, you know, being in the group of death as well and seeing how incredible Spain had been performing.

7:26Rachel: They were the clear favourites for this one. So I think going into this tournament, it kind of felt like, oh, do you know what? It's a bit more finely balanced. I think England should, you know, progress fairly well. But at the same time, there just wasn't that feeling, that real feeling that we were going to be bringing it home. So, yeah, I think in terms of my own experience, like when you had the home Euros, there was just so much like energy because you were going to the games and like, obviously, you know, having that celebration at Wembley Box Park, you felt so kind of I don't know involved in it whereas I think with the Switzerland games and especially with them being so late and I think we didn't really see kind of we had these watch parties in London but we didn't kind of feel the same energy of like the flags and the bunting and like obviously that's what happens when you have a home nations tournament but yeah it kind of felt a little bit flatter but to do that at the same time like the expectation is off people aren't expecting that much from you as they did in 2022 you're still defending champions but to then get yourself into a headspace where you kind of override all the the negativity that's coming especially you know after that France game because that was like devastating for fans everywhere and people just thought well well we're written off we're kind of done and to overcome that to overcome the adversity to overcome the injuries that were suffered before the games and then in the games and then to overcome things like what you know what Jess Carter had to go through like you go through all of those moments you come back from the brink of death a couple of times and then you pick up the trophy I mean you can't give enough credit to the Lionesses for what they've achieved do you think that the knockouts and the way that the semi-final went the comeback and the comeback in the sorry the quarterfinals and then the semi-finals like drew more people in because I think as I touched on before I think sometimes we're in this bubble of people who are really invested in women's football and watch it a lot and critique it and analyze it and I think when you look at people maybe who aren't in that headspace who maybe just join or watch during a major tournament and can actually just appreciate the drama and the fight and the grit and they don't look at this team and say well you were brilliant back then why are you being shit now they or or this team you should be beating comfortably you know they don't go into it with that kind of um opinion they go in thinking wow you were two nil down and that team was like look way better than you and now you're back in it and now you've taken it to penalties and now won on penalties like I just wonder if if you feel like the manner of those two knockout games perhaps drew even more people into the story because it just reminded me a little bit of 2015 in Canada when England were in that that match against Japan in the semi-final and Laura Bassett scored the own goal in injury time and you just that kind of went almost not around the world but if that was a headline everywhere the heartbreak and the fact that England still had a chance for a bronze medal, but they had to play Germany.

10:12And it almost felt like the narrative pulled more people in to watch that final game. And I just wonder if you feel like the knockout kind of journey just pulled more eyes on the football.

10:24Rachel: Definitely. I think when you look at the drama and the jeopardy that it creates, and I think the buzz and attention every time you progress through to the next round. I mean, we hosted three watch-alongs this tournament, which has been absolutely amazing. And I think credit to people for, you know, turning out and, you know, supporting the Lionesses no matter what's been going on. But, you know, when you speak to people who are coming to these events, yes, you've got the diehards, you've got the hardcore fans who've been supporting the Lionesses, you know, way back when, way back when it wasn't even popular to do so.

10:51Rachel: And then you've got these new set of fans that are coming in and sort of getting involved in like women's football culture. And I think the more the Lionesses have progressed, like the more you've started to see like ticket sales are rocketed. They'll go online and within like, what, 30 minutes, all of them are gone. and like when you speak to people at the offence they're saying I wasn't that interested in women's football but actually like that I saw what they did in the semi-finals and from the like from the clutches of death and now I'm going to go to this game and kind of be a part of this community and hopefully celebrate something big not just for women's football but for women's sport and just for women's culture in the in the country to show like what these incredible sports people are capable of so it kind of felt as yeah 100 % as the tournament grew I think so did the fan base and so of people who weren't naturally women's football or sports fans getting involved in in the drama and wanted to see see them succeed because everyone loves a bit of a buzz and positivity like it's been a really like I think when you're working in women's football it's such a tough industry I think in these moments because you want to celebrate the tournament but you're working and working and working and sometimes you know you get to the end of it and to have a moment like the Lionesses victory and to be able to celebrate that and kind of take a load off and go Christ it was all it was all worth it it does feel like it's just um yeah it makes it all worthwhile but i mean this final was the most watched tv moment of the year so far 16.2 million people watching it across bbc and itv um i mean that's just a massive stat in itself we've seen a couple of you know attendance records broken you know highest ever at games like it's you can't deny kind of the success of what switzerland have achieved i mean obviously race you've been out there I've been gutted so much FOMO coming from me like you've had so many like lovely lovely moments but um what's it been like to be out there in in the tournament and out in Switzerland and see the tournament progress yeah it's been great um you know all the stadiums pretty much other than maybe my favorite Wankdorf um you know but they were all like good sized stadiums like good facilities for the fans, easy to access for the fans, you know, all the trams and trains and stuff were free, which was fantastic because of course Switzerland is an expensive country.

12:57So being able to utilise that was brilliant. You know, it was majority of them that I can remember. And I went to every stadium, but the majority of them were very easy to access. And I think that was great. What was your favourite stadium in the end?

13:10Rachel: You did it, it was a conclusive one after that i really liked the saudi and let's grunde in zurich um went there a number of times i don't know what it was about it and i normally don't like a ground with a running track around it because it's not great you're much further away as a fan but um i don't know i just liked that stadium i just good vibes in that stadium and i had been to that one before so i quite liked that one actually i think i am and oh cion obviously the one with the castle overlooking was incredible like the most beautiful stadium i've ever shot at um although slightly distracting so i think those two would be my fave.

13:43I think from like a media perspective, when we talk about, and it was something we discussed beforehand and the concern about, you know, smaller stadiums and stuff. And I think they did a brilliant job of making sure they're pretty packed out or mostly packed out at least throughout, which was brilliant. I think from a media perspective, they felt small, you know, and facilities wise, not brilliant all the time, you know, small press boxes and some of them small press rooms you know not having tvs with replays like that's really key for journalists when you're writing and not having access to that kind of thing could be quite tricky always a problem a lot of the time with wi-fi in some of these stadiums it was the same in england um and you know things like small press rooms you know and like at the people getting turned down for um the final which was really difficult some people out here who covered england all the way through and suddenly they weren't getting accreditation for the final which was really shit because the press box was small and 10 of the seats were going to UEFA officials and 14-15 of the seats were going to foreign media and you know that kind of stuff is tricky and that's where you feel it and but from a fan perspective I think the stadiums were really great.

14:54Rachel: Oh amazing mate I mean what what has been in terms of sort of like the the competition that we had in Australia or you guys going out to to France I mean how does that kind of compare in terms of like you know when I was out in Australia, you kind of saw the country kind of galvanise and get behind the home nation and kind of, you know, grow into the tournament as it, as it came across, obviously really helpful that Switzerland made it to the quarterfinals, but how have you kind of seen like the atmosphere build throughout the tournament in terms of the fans and like the cities getting behind it?

15:21I think, well, I thought Australia was amazing and, you know, went to so many games that didn't have the host nation in it that had like 40 ,000 people like consistently. I thought that was incredible and I thought the manner in which the country got behind the Tillys was unreal and I think you factor in as well that the World Cup is a little bit longer there's an extra game and so it allows for more time for people to get behind their team and you could really see that everywhere coffee shops pubs bars everyone signs outside and talking about the Tillys and all of that so you felt that in switzerland to perhaps a smaller degree um you know every shop in the towns had something to do with football in their windows like you'd have flower shops with little like football balloons and like you know bunting and stuff in their in their windows and i think that definitely grew over the tournament and i think the way switzerland galvanized the nation behind them in terms of the fans was incredible.

16:21They were super loud even from the first game. And I think that was amazing. So yeah, I think I was super impressed with that. Like 25 ,000 of them marching from the centre of Bern for that Spain quarterfinal is definitely a memory that will stand out for this tournament for me. So yes, it probably wasn't quite to the same capacity as Australia, but understandably a smaller country and a shorter tournament. So I think they did a pretty good job.

16:56Rachel: In 2023, a source sent me a tip. It tied baseball's biggest star to a vast, illegal sports betting operation.

17:08Rachel: But then someone surprising confessed to me, his best friend. I'm Epey Mizuhara, and you do have permission to record me. From 30 for 30 Podcasts, this is The Betrayal of Shohei Otani. Listen now, wherever you get your podcasts.

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19:18Rachel: all right Rach it is time for our upfront awards so this is the first time we've done this for a major tournament we've previously done our awards at the end of every league season season season I've got into the Swiss accent but by popular demand we're going to dish out our esteemed awards for Euro 2025 so here we go we'll be giving awards for the following categories player of the tournament surprise package of the tournament and our favorite what the fuck moment we also have two new categories Rach's snap of the tournament and my spiciest moment um Rach we're going to get stuck into the player of the tournament first we did our votes completely separately we have come to the same conclusion which is absolutely lovely um always a big one for me to have a goalkeeping hero in the play of the tournament because we have seen so many amazing goalkeepers in this tournament but this one for me I think I think it's kind of under the radar a little bit in moments where we've had other people kind of take those heroic spots obviously Chloe Kelly, Michelle Adjumang, Alessia Russo but for me Hannah Hampton has been like one of the most consistent very quietly going about her business like she's not the biggest character She's not the kind of, you know, the biggest energy in the squad.

20:35Rachel: But my God, what she's done and the pressure that she's been under in this tournament. I think there was a little bit of shakiness in the goalkeeper camp going into the tournament. Mary Earp's a big leadership person, not going to be a part of the goalkeeping set up. I think when you're a number one keeper, like you do have like a responsibility to kind of like set the tone for like the goalkeeping set up. And you've got, yes, Anna Morehouse, who's a lot older and a lot more experienced. But Hannah Hampton and what she's had to deal with throughout this tournament and the amount of penalties that have been thrown at her.

21:04Rachel: And I think there hasn't really been a situation that I've thought, oh, my God, like, yeah, that was a really bad game. That was a really poor game. Or we've seen her fluff things or we've seen the defence having to lose confidence in her. She has commanded her box. She has been vocal at the back. She has nailed the penalty shootout. She has just been a beacon of hope and kept us in the tournament at really pivotal moments. There was that incredible double save that she made in the semi-final, which kept us in it. And I think those moments, I know we can say that about any moment in the tournament.

21:33Rachel: Sometimes it does all just hinge on a moment. But Hannah Hampton for me has been the absolute ride or die of the England squad. And I think it was so lovely to kind of to hear her talking about her grandparents and like how much the tournament meant and to have like grandpa in the back of her shirt. And I just, yeah, I've got a lot of time for what she's done. Well, I found this really hard. and I know many people will come and tell us why we're wrong and it's not Hannah Hampton and it's six other names and I think at the end of the group stages I would have said Alexi Pateas, absolutely nailed on, no question.

22:05I thought Geraldine Reuteler had an incredible tournament knocked out of the quarterfinals. And I think Guillaro, another wonderful player for Spain who perhaps doesn't get the same plaudits in that midfield but like an absolute integral part of that midfield. People are talking about AKB, you know, and I've seen this as it been a number of teams of the tournament being put up across social media and it has generated so much debate because no one can come to a consensus. And I think that tells you a lot perhaps about the tournament, a combination of maybe numerous standout performances, but also perhaps not having an out-and-out player who's just been consistent in every single game and just been like, unbelievable, unbelievable, unbelievable.

22:53So I think that's made it really hard. And I struggled with this one. And I'm sure people will come and tell us that we're biased. And, you know, I do think it's worth mentioning Itana Bonmati winning player of the tournament. And, you know, what a game she had in the semi-final particular, getting them through in those final moments.

23:09Rachel: Oh, that cheeky little girl catching AKB off guard. Yeah, an absolute, like, magician. I thought Clara Bull had been Eula Brand had been brilliant for Germany Delphine Cascarino looked like she could potentially be on course for it as well so I just think yeah it's perhaps some players who'd been having standout moments then getting knocked out or perhaps then not being as impactful in the knockout stages so yeah I really struggled with this one so I've gone with Hannah Hampton I think you've touched on some of those key saves and I just think if you took her out of this team would England have gotten to the final?

23:45And that's maybe the way I've looked at it. Because I think, yes, the plaudits are going to Michelle Adjumang and Chloe Kelly because they have been unbelievable and have dragged England back from the brink. And I think that's just been incredible. But I also think that penalty shootout with Sweden, like that could have gone so easily multiple times Sweden's way. I thought she was going to have to take a pen at one point. Yeah, you touched it there, that double save at the death from the Italy game. The saves she had to make against Spain. She had to be so honoured against Spain. I think she made four saves in that Spain game, the same as Catecoy.

24:25And then, of course, the penalty saves. And to save off Mariona, to save off Vitanna. Like, these are world-class players, particularly Caldente, who we've touched on before, you would kind of put your house on scoring a penalty. So, and yes, I think the context behind her coming into this tournament as number one, as arguably the most experienced England goalkeeper in that goalkeeping group, which seemed crazy because it would be her first time starting as the number one keeper. So all of that on her shoulders. Yeah, I think that's why she's edged it for me. And I'm sure we'll be given other suggestions and I'd love to hear other suggestions.

25:04But I found that one really difficult.

25:05Rachel: I think that's the thing, isn't it? Like there are so many different people that we could have chosen and validly so. But I think, yeah, Hannah, I think her role, like the defensive surety that she's provided, how she's stepped up at this massive, massive moment. I think you've got to give her credit. So, yeah, 100 % agreed on this one, mate, all day. Right, surprise package of the tournament, player or team? Rach, what have you gone for? I think it's probably going to sound a bit repetitive, but like I was just super impressed with Switzerland. I think given the way they came in, they couldn't buy a win.

25:39They'd had like terrible preparation for a major tournament. You know, you had the whole issue in Switzerland of funding being pulled and then funding being put back in. And we were all a bit like, God, like how's this going to go? They've got this easy, well, easy. They've got the easier group, the less difficult group and they should get out. So what if they don't get out? And, you know, all of that kind of stuff. You'd a couple of players coming in with injury, of course, losing the likes of Bachmann so close to the tournament. so there was a lot going on I think for Switzerland and I think the pride and the quality and the bravery and you know the way in which they kept themselves in and you know that game against was it Finland towards the end and that kept them in it for for qualifying like all of that kind of stuff I think really brought people on a journey with them they felt very seemed very connected with their fans which I think was really nice as well and hopefully that that's a kind of connection and bond that will last um so yeah for me getting to quarterfinals brilliant performing the way they did against spain brilliant um so yeah i'm gonna go with them what about you no i

26:43Rachel: think i was very close for this one i think i i was i've edged towards italy but i think given switzerland their flowers 100 so well deserved i think they they hold themselves to such a high account i think especially with that spain game as well that could have gone i mean a lot of people were expecting that was going to be you know four five six nil and it was nowhere near and they put Spain to the test. I think it was not until the 66th minute that Spain scored. And I think there were even moments there where Switzerland could have even edged a goal. There were a couple of chances that they had.

27:11Rachel: And I think to face that kind of competition so early in the tournament is probably a little bit disappointed. I think had it been another competitor, I think he wasn't as strong as Spain have been throughout this entire tournament. I think they would have maybe even made it to the semifinals. We'll obviously never know. But I think that was such a good reflection on the heart and passion that they had to try and do their absolute best in that game. But I went with Italy. I think their progress in the tournament, I mean, obviously they had Spain in their group. It was never kind of guaranteed.

27:41Rachel: They had Belgium and Portugal as well. I think the way they got out of the group stages and they started to cause team problems. And I think you could see kind of like how much like passion was just behind the Italian squad. I think the fans were absolutely outstanding. I think the performances they put in, I mean, especially against England, we had such a torrid time in that game. And I think that's credit to Italy. I don't think a lot of people were talking about Italy being anywhere near the semifinal before the start of this tournament. And I think as it's progressed, you can kind of see the strength that they have.

28:11Rachel: But I know, Rach, you're absolutely beaming because you were one of the, I think, the only people that I'd even heard mention Italy as a team to look out for, even to kind of go and watch the games. And 100 % make credit to you because I've been so surprised by the performances, especially, you know, someone like Giorelli. Like her, like she could have been kind of player of the tournament had they progressed a little bit further. But yeah, I thought, you know, what she did for the team and galvanising them and kind of getting those through in those key moments. And, you know, we saw the Italian players go into other teams games and even like supporting just the tournament as a whole.

28:43Rachel: And I thought, do you know what? Like, yeah, credit to them. I enjoyed watching Italy. I know there were some frustrating times, I think, being on the other end of Italy, where they were very much an expert in the dark arts. It was not always the way that I wanted to see football played, the kind of delays and the frustration and the rolling around on the ground sometimes and the theatrics. But I think, yeah, they definitely brought an energy and a vibe to the tournament that I really, really loved. Yeah, I mean, yeah, I'd pegged them for Dark Horses kind of coming into this tournament. I thought, although they had some difficult teams in their group, I did think they would get out of it.

29:21I think they grew into it, which I think was impressive. And they had some impressive performances like as the tournament went on. And yeah, I think you could just see their confidence grow and grow with each kind of passing match. And yeah, so they're not, it's not a huge surprise for me. I expected them. I thought if they got Norway, I thought they could take Norway. so I was like wow they could get to a semi-final that could be incredible so um yeah delight for them and I hope that does have a big knock-on effect in football in Italy no definitely um

29:49Rachel: okay I've gone with spiciest moments I know it's a new category um I wasn't made up you have you have to because I don't know how we haven't got a bloody sponsorship deal from Nando's yet because you're always wanging on about spicy things I don't think those moments that you lack self-awareness because for me, I hadn't mentioned the word spicy that often. I've actually made a concerted effort not to say spicy in this whole podcast so far. Let's roll the tapes, Finn. I feel like we need to have some sort of little montage of you. Oh, it's going to be spicy, spicy, spicy, spicy, spicy, spicy, spiciest, spicy.

30:21Rachel: But yeah, if Landos are listening, I'm sure they are, give us a shout because I really... Do you know, I'd love a black card, actually. I'd really love a black card. But going back to my spiciest moment, I have chosen AKB in the Germany game versus France. I mean, my God, was that a performance of a lifetime. And I think every single thing that she did in that game was absolutely stellar. I mean, France, we've seen them kind of like almost plough through England pretty much in that first game. They were an absolute force. This is a France squad that could be potentially going to the final, really.

30:54Rachel: Along comes AKB. I just think in those moments there is I know she's had a little bit of criticism because there are things that she definitely draws attention to the kind of Cruyff turns in the box the kind of inviting pressure those last minute kind of playoffs on the back that kind of feel those squeaky bum time but in that game she was such a leader she absolutely owned it not only that she was enjoying it there was a smile on her face pretty much the entire game and you just felt this sense of she's invincible there is absolutely she is an impenetrable wall there is nothing getting past her in this game and then obviously to take the game into like panels it just it just there was everything about like akb that i just absolutely loved in this tournament i think she grew into it i think like she owned it i think yeah i just i can't give enough flowers to her but for that particular game that was such a difficult game like they were 10 people down like one person there were one person down there weren't 10 people down I'm surprised.

31:51Rachel: One person got that. APB versus France. That's how I felt sometimes, to be fair. To be fair. But that was a really lovely stat. So she made nine saves, excluding the shootout, the second most on record by a goalkeeper in a Euro knockout stage match since 2013, like previous to the England, sorry, the Germany-France game. But I just, yeah, I just really enjoyed her in that game. I thought she was absolutely perfection. And it was just so lovely to see a goalkeeper just enjoying owning that space. Especially after, and I think maybe we forget this, after not having a very good group stage. She didn't really play great in the groups.

32:23So to step up in that moment when needed and not just in a quarterfinal, but in a quarterfinal against France and in a quarterfinal against France when you're down to 10. So many elements. I don't know whether each of those things just lifted her, lifted her, lifted her and she thrives off that kind of pressure. So yeah, you definitely saw that in both knockout games, quarterfinals and semis.

32:59Rachel: well mate let's go to yours then we've got rachel's snap of the tournament rachel what was your pick for this i actually think i would have struggled for this until the semi-final and i got two photos in that game and it was a game i struggled with um i was the wrong end for every goal every goal was scored down the one end and I felt like I was getting very very little and I got a photo of I was chatting to Sophie about why I did this because I don't really know why I faced the bench at this moment but I remember kind of seeing Leah Williamson sitting over there with her head in her hands um stressed the team the bench looked stressed and I think I thought there's like a minute 30 seconds left of this game if it doesn't happen now it's not going to happen so I panned across to the bench and that was the moment Michelle Adjimang scored and the bench absolutely erupted Serena flying through the air players dragging themselves from out from the back of the bench leaping over chairs and sprinting down the sideline and also the family members sitting behind the bench erupted and I captured that and that photo seems to have done the rounds and I've had players ask for it they've shared in their whatsapp group It's been spoken about at press conferences.

34:17It's been used by the BBC in one of their chats with Beth Mead. The family members have asked for it. Staff at the Lionesses have asked for it. So I think sometimes you know when you capture something special. I don't think I knew at that time. And I came in from the game feeling a bit like downbeat. That England were through, so I'd try and deal with a bloody emotional rollercoaster of that. But I just felt a bit like, oh, for fuck's sake, I didn't really have a great game. decided to pull out that picture because I was like at least I have some celebrations to put out and it ended up doing an awful lot better perhaps than I realized and then I went through all of the other shots I'd taken around that and kind of all the different people in all the different moments and celebrating that was yeah it was pretty cool and then the other one that I really loved from that game was Jess Carter and Kiara Keating, LJ all going over to Michelle Adjimang at the end of the game and having a moment with her and for me that was just a really powerful image given everything Jess Carter had gone through it was such a powerful image of strength and quality and like just humbleness and it was just it was a really lovely yeah a lovely thing that I captured that I was really pleased that I captured I love that mate

35:32Rachel: really really love that um to flip that completely on its head we're now going to go to favorite what the fuck moment of the tournament. Lovely to see that we've both gone for the same moment. Carlos of Amster's handball. I mean, I've talked a little bit about goalkeeping in the previous section and I really can't deny the quality of the save. Like, you know, that's not the issue here at all. I mean, the actual perfection of the technique was incredible. The launch that she managed to get off her planted foot. I think that the hand span that she managed to get behind the ball to save that goal.

36:05Rachel: the issue obviously being is that she's not a freaking goalkeeper um it really kind of felt like those brain fart moments where she kidded she kind of I think in your mentality you're always thinking protect the goal protect the goal protect the goal so I think there was an overriding thing here there was a main narrative that was like playing in her head but then it kind of spilled over into doing anything at all costs to protect the goal I mean it was just such a even I think she found it a what the fuck moment it kind of felt like she was obviously in tears afterwards she there was intention obviously behind what she did but I don't think there was like a real intention if that makes sense I don't I think she just did it and it was kind of like oh fuck what have I done um but yeah it was it was it was a great save at the end of the day so yeah but a very it could have been a very costly one yes and I do feel for Vamster because I thought she'd been doing very well stepping in for Julia Gwynn so she had quite an important job already but I agree a wonderful save and a moment that she did on purpose but didn't mean to do so which is a bit of a hard one to wrap your head around and yeah I think for a lot of this Germany team we've given them so much credit for playing with 10 but we kind of forget that playing with 10 is generally because you've done something intentional that you shouldn't have done so that's poor discipline but I think yeah you're right that one was definitely a bit of a reaction as opposed to an intentional action if you know what I mean and was a It was definitely a wild one because everyone in the box was just like, what?

37:32You just, you can't do that. Hang on.

37:34Rachel: I had to honestly go back and rewind it. I was like, she hasn't. She has. She definitely has. But Rach, what's your second one then? Because it kind of leads on to the first one, really. And I think both of us went for the Vamser and then both of us pulled a second one down as well. And I put down the other red card for Germany. The hair pull from Hendrik was just absolutely bonkers. Like, what the fuck were you doing? and then on top of that to have their like technical director or whatever come out afterwards and be like oh she was looking the other way I mean that made it worse that just compounded the whole thing because all the photos were her looking at the girl and yanking her hair and it was just another brain fart like I just that one that one's not forgivable I mean Vamster sticking a hand out reactively a bit more forgivable than what Hendrik did for such a such a mature experienced player in such a heightened game in such a key moment of a game it was stupid such an aggressive move as well and I think like you said there there was so much riding on that game to put yourself in that position where you're going to let the team down in that manner as well that's yeah not great at all and I think I'm glad that VAR picked up because initially I didn't even see what had really gone on I couldn't work out what had happened but yeah great great shout from VAR for once have you got a second one?

38:48Rachel: yeah go on go on if you're asking if you're bending me back mate I mean England winning the penalty shootout with Sweden it was there was so many what the fuck moments just in that 20 minutes itself I mean there was hope there was belief there was dashing of dreams there was kind of like destruction there was penalties flying off those penalties being saved there was a couple of good penalties in there somewhere there were a couple of absolutely awful penalties but I think it was just that roller coaster of emotions I'd never felt anything quite like it and I mean even getting to the penalty shootout in the first place was super super tense then once we got there the shootout itself was one of the most dramatic things I'll ever see and it just I was sat on the edge of a couch we were supposed to be on this like really relaxing work away day there's supposed to be a real nice like culmination of like I was all getting together and supporting the line letters in this moment super hopeful of what was going to happen and then all of a sudden there was like what I think it was at least three moments where England had missed their penalties and Sweden could have put it to bed now it could have destroyed our hopes and ambitions and dreams in those moments and then they didn't and I was like what the hell is going on here and then like by the time it actually came to celebrating the win and us getting that final penalty and us you know progressing through to the semi-final mate I was shattered I was absolutely shattered but it just kind of felt like that was a culmination I think of like all the penalties that have taken place across this tournament because there have been some real what the fuck penalties and I think you know when you've had the likes of like a Lauren James or a Caldente or like Itana Bombatic or like Alexey Pute as like missing penalties.

40:23Rachel: Like people who, like you said, you'd bet your house on. Probably not LJ, but yeah, the rest of them for sure. Like all these like massive, massive names. Ada Hagerberg. Ada Hagerberg. You can keep on going with these names. And I think that was just like a real hodgepodge of just penalty drama. So yeah, that's definitely my favourite what the fuck moment. Okay, our last one. Any honourable mentions for this tournament? Oh God, I wrote a few things down. I wrote Norway's anthem sung by Astrid in the first game. was magical. Go and YouTube it because I remember listening to it being like, I did not know Norway's anthem sounded like this.

40:56It didn't. It was like this beautiful arrangement by Astrid who is like a famous Norwegian singer. So that was cool. Michelle Adjimang, just her generally, all of it. Honorable mention, absolutely. The drama in the Switzerland-Finland game and the Italy-Portugal game to keep both of them in the hunt for qualification to the knockout stage. Like there was some drama in the group stages that you were just like absolutely living for. and you're like, these are two teams I did not know I'd be so invested in and did not expect to have such high drama. And those two were brilliant. The Germany-Sweden game was helter-skelter.

41:31I thought in the first 20 minutes it was going to be this really high-scoring game that Germany were going to win. And then Vamster does what Vamster did and just threw a spanner in the works. So yeah, there was a couple of moments that were just quite memorable that would stay in the memory, I think, for this tournament. Absolutely love that.

41:45Rachel: I definitely agree with Michelle Ajman. I mean, we've given her so many flowers in this tournament and I'll leave it be for now just because I can't keep going on. I can't keep saying the same thing about her. She's just absolutely incredible. I went for the France v Wales game and I think it's kind of my wider point around Wales and kind of like what they've done in this tournament. Obviously, it's their first major tournament. I thought the Wales fans were incredible. I mean, we had Josie Green, the Wales midfielder, in our panel at the Watchalong on Sunday and she was kind of saying like how amazing the atmosphere was.

42:16Rachel: like so many Wales fans had travelled to go and like support the squad there was this gorgeous moment where they were singing the Wales national anthem outside their first game when they played the Netherlands she was like the energy they brought was absolutely stunning but I think they really held a good account of themselves and like getting that first goal Jess Fishlock against you know a team like France I mean France had just like pretty much dominated the entire England performance and then for Wales to go out and perform like they did I know it didn't go to plan afterwards I know it ended up being the 4-1 result but I think there was just a we saw like a glimpse of like what what Wales could really do and frustrate teams so I think I just got to give them massive credit and I think obviously a big honourable mention Rachel touched on it earlier as well but Jess Carter I think what she's had to go through this tournament is absolutely abhorrent I think the way that she's handled herself and the way that she's you know acted with maturity called it out has you know done that in the middle of a tournament as well when pressure has been so high and there has been a lot of commentary on her performances in the tournament I think to go out with your head held high and have the game that she did against Spain was nothing short of absolutely heroic I think you know there's there was obviously a bit of two in front about whether she'd take that space whether it was going to be Esme Morgan in but every single game that she's been a part of she's shown this incredible leadership quality she's come in she's been vocal she's picked players up she's got people back in the game and that Spain game you know there were so many pivotal moments that she was a part of in that defensive back line she really showed her true colors so i've absolutely got to give a massive mention to jess carter because i think she's been absolutely outstanding and has probably has had one of the most difficult tournaments i think for from any player um that we've seen this year so for sure yeah big big shout out to her and big big big love um rage before we go we simply have to remind everyone of our pre-tournament predictions okay so our first category is dark horses i said wales you said italy italy great shout mate absolutely great shout we talked about this before but yeah very very spicy teams i think both teams definitely held themselves um yeah they can walk out this competition with their heads held high england's tournament will end in there i said the final and you'll see why in a minute rates you said semi-finals and we were talking about this before i was like the sweden topping the group just completely threw all of my predictions out of the window because I expected England to face either Germany or Spain before the final.

44:36We all did. And I think it would have been really interesting to see how the team would have gotten on had they faced either of those teams so early. We don't need to talk about it

44:44Rachel: because it didn't happen and we're the winners. Talking of winners, I said... Go on, Rach. Who did I say? Why am I saying what you said? Go on, who did I say? I said... Are you going to say who I said? The winner. I said England were the winners. I had no doubt. I had... Yeah, right. There was no moment that they even questioned that they wouldn't be this successful. I mean, yeah, roll it back, mate, because you'll see I had their backs pretty much from the start of the tournament. I didn't even consider... Should Serena still be coach? No, no, that was not my question. That was not my question.

45:18You were given all the reasons why people were not happy. They were jammy. Rachel Brown finished it not like that.

45:24Rachel: Anyway, let's get on to you being wrong. So you said the winner would be Spain. Delighted to be wrong. amazing absolutely amazing you were you were torn you did say head and heart you know between england and spain so so fair enough but i also said i hope i'm wrong so you can rinse me all you like i'm fucking delighted i was wrong oh my i mean okay mate last comments on euro 2025 what is your like this is the last pod of the tournament we have covered 16 podcasts in a matter of three weeks uh my voice is fucked like i think you're about to lose your shit with the cleaner i mean we're in the hotel by the way not not like they're inside battering the room next door with the hoover for some reason uh i found this one quite tough it was really tiring we obviously started the tournament quite sad as well so i think that added to it um so yeah i found this one tough but enjoyable i think england winning it i think perhaps made those late very late nights and tired nights all all worth it 100 and I think um yeah for especially like when you work in the media and you work in the obviously the English media to have a team that is successful I think it just means a lot for the industry and also like women in grassroots football like we saw the impact of what it meant when the Lionesses won the last time around like it galvanized the country it galvanized women's sports I mean not to forget that we also have the Women's Rugby World cup taking place kicking off on the 22nd of august a home nation i mean to have the red roses win and the lionesses win in the same year would be nothing short of have you got tickets for women's sport i have 100 i have yeah um so yeah i think for that to take place and like the impact it's going to have on the country is you can never underestimate so just really happy that we were able to bring it home under a little bit more difficult circumstances this year and shout out to all the men on socials being negative, leaving comments, saying as shit it was.

47:18All of your views, all of your engagement only serves to further boost our content and give us more chance of doing more. So the silent heroes, thank you to you. 100%.

47:27Rachel: And a big shout out also to Gerry Barton who made an absolute laughingstock of the penalties that had been produced in this tournament. And there was a lovely bit of footage from him. I think he was playing for Man City or something at the time where he skied a penalty over the board. So if you've not seen that footage, please go and have a look because you are a fucking joke. That's it. That was our final episode of Euro 2025. We're going on a break for a few weeks to rest, recharge and get our voices back before the Women's Super League returns at the start of September, mere weeks away. Thank you so much for joining us on this adventure through another extraordinary tournament.

48:02Rachel: We really, really appreciate all of your support and we absolutely couldn't do it without you. So thank you so, so much. If you've enjoyed our Euro 2025 coverage, please leave us a five star review wherever you are listening it really helps us out and it will help with new listeners finding up front too um please follow us on socials we're at up front underscore pod i am at morgy underscore 89 and rach is at girls on the ball and don't forget don't forget my voice is gone and don't forget to hit that subscribe button to get our first episode of the new season straight into your podcast app thank you so much to everyone who's listening throughout the tournament we really do appreciate it lots and lots of love to you all and go and rest up because it's going to be another big WSL season starting very very soon so big love from from me and Rach.

48:50Grazie, arrivederci.

49:05Rachel: Upfront is a Stack production and part of the Acast Creator Network

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