As the anticipation builds for the upcoming UEFA European Championship, England Lionesses’ captain Leah Williamson and star forward Beth Mead have unequivocally expressed their “hunger for more” as they prepare to defend their coveted European title. Their comments come just days after a triumphant club season with Arsenal, where they secured a Women’s Champions League victory, adding further momentum to their national team aspirations.
Both players, instrumental in England’s historic Euro 2022 win on home soil, are eager to translate their club success into international glory once again. Williamson, known for her calm leadership and commanding presence in defense, articulated the athlete’s relentless drive: “I think when you win, as an athlete you get hungry for more. As soon as you’ve won one, you’re like, right, I want the next one. So maybe we have a bit of a kick about us.” She also noted the quick turnaround in professional sports, emphasizing that there’s “always something round the corner, you can’t sit still for too long.”
Mead, the Golden Boot winner and Player of the Tournament from Euro 2022, echoes this sentiment. Her return to peak form after a challenging injury period has been a major boost for both Arsenal and England. Their collective experience, coupled with the freshness brought by newer, younger talents in the squad, creates a potent mix. Williamson particularly highlighted the benefit of these new faces, noting they don’t carry the “emotional fatigue, good or bad,” from past tournaments, bringing a “fresh-faced” enthusiasm.
The Lionesses are currently in their final preparations for Euro 2025, with a friendly against Jamaica today, June 29, 2025, before heading to Switzerland for the tournament. Their opening match in the group stage is against France on July 5, 2025. With key figures like Williamson and Mead driving the charge, England’s title defense is set to be a fierce and determined affair.
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