On the eve of England’s highly anticipated clash against Germany, Sarina Wiegman and Leah Williamson took to the stage for a lively press conference at Wembley Stadium. With a crowd of 54,000 expected for tonight’s game—a slight dip from previous matches—the atmosphere was still one of excitement and positivity. Wiegman and Williamson discussed their recent successes, the journey of women’s football, and the upcoming challenge posed by a strong German side.
For Wiegman, memories of the euphoric Euro 2022 win against Germany are still fresh. “It was one of the best moments of my life,” she shared, her face lighting up as she recalled this great memory. But she is clear about one thing: the past is behind them, and the focus is on what’s next. “We need to move on now. It’s a different team, a different challenge. Our eyes are set on the next Euros next summer,” she emphasised.
Williamson echoed her manager’s sentiments, reflecting on how far the women’s game has come in recent years. “To think we’re playing twice at Wembley in a row—this wouldn’t have happened two or three years ago,” she pointed out. Even if the attendance for this match isn’t breaking records, both Wiegman and Williamson view it as a sign of progress, a marker of how the women’s game continues to grow and draw in larger audiences.
Despite the slightly lower ticket sales, Wiegman remains optimistic. She sees it not as a setback but as evidence of how far women’s football has come. For her, the challenge lies in consistency: if England continues to play good football, the fans will keep coming. Williamson agreed wholeheartedly, believing that a good performance against a formidable opponent like Germany will only fuel the game’s momentum.
The England captain acknowledged that there’s still room for more headline-making moments in women’s football. But both women stressed that progress isn’t just about breaking records—it’s about building a legacy, one match at a time.
Turning their attention to the task at hand, both Wiegman and Williamson were clear about the challenges Germany presents. With Christian Wück as new coach at the helm, Germany remains a formidable, versatile team known for its physicality, long balls, and ability to play short-pass football. Wiegman expressed her respect for the opposition still amongst the best in the world.
Beyond tonight’s game, a separate debate has gripped the footballing community: is Thomas Tuchel, the well-known German manager, fit to be England men’s coach? The speculation swirls as Sarina Wiegman, herself a non-Brit who has found success with the Lionesses, weighs in. ” He has shown how good of a coach he is, and I hope he will bring success for England” she remarked, drawing a parallel to her own journey as a Dutch woman lifting the first English women’s silverware. Her success has proven that sometimes, an outside perspective can bring fresh energy and a winning formula, and maybe Tuchel can replicate that for the men’s team.
As the press conference wrapped up, it was clear that both Wiegman and Williamson are laser-focused on the future. Although being a friendly fixture, the game against Germany is also about a step toward something bigger eying for the next euro in 2025 in Switzerland.
There’s a palpable sense of anticipation. For Wiegman and her squad, it’s not just about reliving past glories but about creating new ones. They’re aware that another standout moment could be exactly what the women’s game needs to keep climbing. Whether it’s through a stunning goal, a tactical masterclass, or simply the joy of playing at Wembley, the spotlight is theirs to seize.
