England manager Sarina Weigman played down the importance of her side’s comprehensive 5-1 win over the Netherlands in terms of their European Championships credentials.
A message was sent out by the Lionesses to the rest of Europe after the reigning Euros champions were dispatched by Wiegman’s side – with substitute Beth Mead scoring twice and Lauren Hemp scoring and registering two assists at Elland Road.
Lucy Bronze and Ella Toone also ended up on the scoresheet as England’s depth in attack reigned supreme – and while Weigman accepts the expectation on this summer’s host nation will go higher after this win, there is nothing to celebrate yet.
“We’ve spoken about that, there are many favourites – we are one of them,” she said in her post-match press conference. “We know where we want to go to.
Lauren Hemp celebrates with Beth Mead for England
“We stick to strategy or plans, whether we lose or win. If we would have lost today, we know where we can improve in our style of play.
“The expectation will go higher but now is a moment. We had the Arnold Clark Cup which was close too. We have to improve a couple of bits.”
She also told ITV: “I don’t think we are there because some things didn’t go well and we have to improve that too, so we will start working on that on Monday.”
Lucy Bronze celebrates with England team-mates after scoring against Netherlands
England fell behind in Leeds as Lieke Martens headed past Mary Earps from a corner, which was just the third goal the Lionesses have conceded in Wiegman’s reign. Though the Lionesses head coach was delighted with the reaction from her team.
“It was a good learning moment that we came from behind and conceded a goal. We haven’t done that since September, since I came in. It’s good to see the reaction from the team and bring the game to the level we should be able to play.
“It’s not frustrating, it gave me the question of what was going on. Netherlands gave us a hard time too. Tactically we needed to do a little different, in possession and out of possession, we are good at high ball tempo and playing runs behind. We didn’t do that, it was too low and did that a lot better the second half.”
Holland’s Parsons: England should be favourites
Netherlands manager Mark Parsons was full of praise for England, claiming it is “very hard” to see why the Lionesses aren’t favourites as home nation.
The English-born manager – whose side only started their training camp this week and played their first pre-tournament friendly against the Lionesses – took responsibility for risking his players after little preparation time
“England will be favourites in the Euros,” he said. “Where they are, the quality of players, the home crowd, the resources the WSL has been putting in, the work the clubs have been doing – it all comes together and it’s very hard to see they’re not favourites.
Mark Parsons believes England are favourites for the Euros
“They’re very, very good. I think opponents watching the last 30 minutes will be worried. You have a top, top coach that’s been there and won it. Arjan [Veurink] and Sarina are doing some strong work.”
Parsons – who came through Woking’s academy as a player – hung up his boots and one of his first coaching roles saw him take charge of Chelsea’s reserve team, while he also coached Reece James and Mason Mount in the Blues’ U8s team.
The 35-year-old highlighted the influence of the Women’s Super League – and Sky Sports’ role in broadcasting it – as one of the reasons why the Lionesses could be more successful this summer.
“Eleven years ago, I left England and at that point, it felt like giving women’s football what it deserved is a responsibility and now people are looking at it as an opportunity to develop world-class players and make money. It’s an investment, the Women’s Super League has led the way.
“Sky Sports are putting big investment by showing women’s football – which is what this is about. The [Dutch] Eredivisie’s doing good work but between the Euros and the pound, the investment is big.
“It’s paying off for the national team. They’re a fun team, a great team and we’re going to be much more prepared the next time we face them.”
Follow Euro 2022 across Sky Sports
Keep up with all the latest from Euro 2022 across Sky Sports and Sky Sports News this summer.
Coverage will be anchored by Sky Sports WSL presenter Caroline Barker, alongside Jessica Creighton and Kyle Walker. Meanwhile, Karen Carney, Sue Smith, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk and Laura Bassett will give analysis throughout the tournament.
They will also be joined by experienced England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley and Manchester City defender Esme Morgan.
The pundits and presenters will work from the Sky Sports Women’s Euro 2022 Mobile Presentation Bus, which will follow the Sky Sports News team around the country to the various stadiums where matches are being played.
In addition, Sky Sports’ Essential Football Podcast will be rebranded for the tournament to Sky Sports Women’s Euros Podcast rom 21 June. Hosted by Charlotte Marsh and Anton Toloui, it will feature exclusive news and player interviews in addition to a strong programme line up around the tournament.
Euro 2022: The groups…
Group A: England, Austria, Norway, Northern Ireland
Group B: Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland
Group C: Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal, Switzerland
Group D: France, Italy, Belgium, Iceland
Euro 2022: The schedule…
Group stage
Wednesday July 6
Group A: England vs Austria – kick off 8pm, Old Trafford
Thursday July 7
Group A: Norway vs Northern Ireland – kick off 8pm, St Mary’s
Friday July 8
Group B: Spain vs Finland – kick off 5pm, Stadium MK
Group B: Germany vs Denmark – kick off 8pm, London Community Stadium
Saturday July 9
Group C: Portugal vs Switzerland – kick off 5pm, Leigh Sports Village
Group C: Netherlands vs Sweden – kick off 8pm, Bramall Lane
Sunday July 10
Group D: Belgium vs Iceland – kick off 5pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium
Group D: France vs Italy – kick off 8pm, New York Stadium
Monday July 11
Group A: Austria vs Northern Ireland – kick off 5pm, St Mary’s
Group A: England v Norway – kick off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium
Tuesday July 12
Group B: Denmark vs Finland – kick off 5pm, Stadium MK
Group B: Germany vs Spain – kick off 8pm, London Community Stadium
Wednesday July 13
Group C: Sweden vs Switzerland – kick off 5pm, Bramall Lane
Group C: Netherlands v Portugal – kick off 8pm, Leigh Sports Village
Thursday July 14
Group D: Italy vs Iceland – kick off 5pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium
Group D: France vs Belgium – kick off 8pm, New York Stadium
Friday July 15
Group A: Northern Ireland v England – kick off 8pm, St Mary’s
Group A: Austria vs Norway – kick off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium
Saturday July 16
Group B: Finland vs Germany – kick off 8pm, Stadium MK
Group B: Denmark vs Spain – kick off 8pm, London Community Stadium
Sunday July 17
Group C: Switzerland vs Netherlands – kick off 5pm, Bramall Lane
Group C: Sweden vs Portugal – kick off 5pm, Leigh Sports Village
Monday July 18
Group D: Iceland vs France – kick off 8pm, New York Stadium
Group D: Italy vs Belgium – kick off 8pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium
Knockout phase
Quarter-finals
Wednesday July 20
Quarter-final 1: Winners Group A v Runners-up Group B – kick off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium
Thursday July 21
Quarter-final 2: Winners Group B v Runners-up Group A – kick off 8pm, London Community Stadium
Friday July 22
Quarter-final 3: Winners Group C v Runners-up Group D – kick off 8pm, Leigh Sports Village
Quarter-final 4: Winners Group D v Runners-up Group C – kick off 8pm, New York Stadium
Semi-finals
Tuesday July 26
Semi-final 1: Winners quarter-final 1 v Winners quarter-final 3 – kick off 8pm, Bramall Lane
Wednesday July 27
Semi-final 2: Winners quarter-final 2 v Winners quarter-final 4 – kick-off 8pm, Stadium MK
Final
Sunday July 31
Winners semi-final 1 v Winners semi-final 2 – kick off 5pm, Wembley
