Pizza, partying and a new mantra - How Lionesses celebrated reaching Euro 2025 Final

Not. Done. Yet. That’s the Lionesses mantra with England’s Women now one game away from going back-to-back at the European Championships.

The 2021 Euro Queens have been nothing if not belligerent in Switzerland, stubbornly refusing to give up their crown. The quarter-final against Sweden, they looked dead and buried, 2-0 down lacking inspiration. Tuesday night’s semi-final against Italy, 1-0 down with 95 minutes on the clock and struggling to break down fiercely obdurate opponents it looked like the end.

Both times, by hook or by crook, they found answers. Just as questions were asked of Sarina Wiegman, whether she’d got her tactics wrong or used her substitutions too late, her side found the answer.

In both games, Michelle Agyemang proved critical, the teenage striker stepping off the bench and finding crucial goals - not least her equaliser against the Italians in Geneva. "She has something special," the England boss gushed. "She's only 19-years-old, she's very mature, she knows exactly what she has to do."

Another super-sub, Chloe Kelly, struck the extra-time winner to KO Italy, having been vital in turning the tide against Sweden with her dribbling and crossing ability. Both games England’s dream looked like dying. Instead, they emerged victorious, boisterous celebrations following into the night after booking another final spot.

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Veteran star Lucy Bronze declared: "I mean I never doubted that we had what it takes to push through but I think we've put our families through hell and back these last few games, to be honest.

"I think that's people from the outside thinking teams have to win every single game. I think people talk about consistency with this England team, we've done six consecutive semi-finals, three consecutive finals, who else has done that? Nobody. You know, Spain and Germany are fantastic teams, even they haven't managed that feat.

"It's hard to stay at the top in international football, so many teams, they have performances, then it's up and down, they develop, but this team just keeps fighting until the end.

"I feel like we didn't have anything to prove because we've been there, we've done it many, many times, just about it's just the fact that the game's getting better, international football's not as easy as it used to be. And everybody's fighting and everybody wants to win and everybody feels like they can win."

As they returned into their dressing rooms post-match the relief and sheer delight was clear. "Come on" roared Beth Mead, a dancing Kelly not far behind. "Goodness me" was Esme Morgan's simple statement that said everything about the 120 minutes she'd just been involved in.

Inside, the Lionesses partied, slamming tables and singing ‘Freed from Desire’, a team delirious, still running on adrenaline, enjoying themselves and living in the moment, surrounded by sports drinks, bananas, tape and other changing room knick-knacks.

After a quick shower and change they popped into the stands to celebrate with family members, boyfriends, loved ones - chats and debriefs shared over pizza. For some fans on social media, that normalcy was almost the highlight of the night.

By the time the Lionesses and the coaching staff cleared out of the stadium it was nearly 1am.

"Three finals on the bounce and we want more," declared Kelly. "It's such an unbelievable feeling"

"We never give up," declared Wiegman. "We say we can win by any means. This team just keeps on going."

For Bronze, now 33, there would be no party long into the night, regardless of what some of her team-mates were planning.

"I'll be in the ice bath, let the kids celebrate."

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