#EURO 2022

[rana030]

Why can't all men be like him

[arsenal-womens-1]

Until the end of time

You and Leah have been together for about six years. Today is your wedding day. You have been engaged for around two years now. You remember seeing Leah for the first time—she was nervous. It was a big game: Arsenal vs. Chelsea. It was your first time going to a game, and you had never heard about women's football until you saw the 2015 World Cup. You had been switching through channels when Japan vs. England filled your screen. Ever since then, you have followed women's football. The next day, you found out that there was an Arsenal women's team. You had grown up watching the men play.

It was April 16th when you first met. Though Arsenal may have lost 2-0, you gained much more than you expected. It was the end of the game, and the girls were going around taking pictures and stuff like that when a 5'6" blonde-haired, blue-gray-eyed girl came up to you with a shy smile. She asked you if you had enjoyed the game. You spent a good 20 minutes talking, and by the end, she had asked for your number. If you had known that day how important she would be, you would have texted her back that day, not two days later.

You and Leah had stayed up on more than one occasion planning this wedding before you were even engaged. Everything was how you both imagined. You hadn't got to see what she was wearing, and she hasn't seen yours. But all you know, and she knows, is that you are wearing a white dress and she an emerald green suit. From the start, you knew when you got married that she was going to be wearing a suit. That was one thing she was adamant about, and you were okay with that as long as you got married. You had picked the dress of your dreams, the one that you had always dreamt of.

The bridesmaids' dresses were perfect. One set was going to be in emerald, and the other in a champagne pink. They were the same dress, just in different colors. The venue was probably the hardest part of it all. You had looked at around ten different ones, and by the end, you had two that you both loved. You had one, and Leah had one also. In the end, you flipped a coin on which one to pick. It landed on the one Leah liked, which you admit was nice. It has grown on you in the last nine months. You both decided that there wasn't going to be arranged seating apart from the first row. In the first row were going to be her mom, her dad, and her brother, who was a bridesman standing with her. On your side, you have your mom, dad, one of your sisters, and brother, with two reserved seats. One was for your granny, who passed in 2021, and the other for your nana, who passed not long ago.

There are a few other reserved seats in both front rows. There are meant to be just under 300 people attending, mostly footballers. With you and Leah knowing a lot of people, you had to cut it off at 300, or there would be around 650 people here. You had gotten to know a lot of footballers through Leah and a lot from your work. You had worked with 12 different teams in seven different countries, so it's definitely safe to say you know a lot of people.

It's 12:56, and you have to be ready to walk down the aisle at 2 PM, so you have to start getting ready. You don't really have much to do other than get your makeup done and put the dress on. You decided to just get light makeup and not much done with your hair. The thing that was going in your hair was the same thing Leah's mom wore for her wedding. You are wearing a new pair of white heels, and you might have, or might not have, borrowed one of Leah's bracelets. It was a gold bracelet with blue gems; it's beautiful.

Around one hour later, you were ready to walk down the aisle. Leah had already walked. You know it's your time when Lana Del Rey's "Young and Beautiful" starts playing.

[wosowrites]

Cool Heart, Hot Headed(Lionesses x Reader)

warnings: ⚠️blood, trash talking⚠️

a/n: also, writing this as chelsea are in the FA cup final… LETS FUCKING GO!!! BLUES UNITE. based off this request here (this seriously flopped)

prompt: during the euros, the swedes are playing incredibly dirty and as the reader tries to brush it off, her teammates are very angry and protective of her

Patience. It was definitely your best quality. Yes, you felt anger and disappointment, as well as rage and pain. But you were always patient.

It did come to a shock to your english teammates when Sweden suddenly had it out for you. But it didn’t surprise them that you were as calm as ever.

The Euros semi final had everyone on edge. This was the moment. This was the chance to bring it home. The lionesses needed this. They needed a major trophy for England. The men sure as well weren’t bringing it anywhere near the airport, let alone home.

So it was your chance to make your country, your people proud.

You walked onto that field behind Mary and Leah, sang your national anthem loudly and proudly.

"You look pale," Leah whispered in your ear. "All good cap. Just kinda scared of Björn. She’s giving me looks that make it seem like she wants to kill me," you said, locking eyes with the Swede, smiling lightly and receiving a scowl in return. "Don’t worry about them. They’re all look no game. Don’t tell Magda I said that," Millie said, having overheard.

You nodded and then took the team picture. The girls huddled up, did a cheer and then you took your position as the CAM.

Right off the bat, the game was nail biting. Any english fans watching at home, or in the stadium, surely felt as though something was going to happen. The swedes were coming in strong. But they weren’t attacking anyone as violently, as hard, and with as much resilience and they did to you.

The first hit you took was in the eighth minute. Fridolina Rolfö came out of nowhere. You were scanning your options from the midfield, no one around you. You were taking small touches to move forward, and then out of nowhere you heard "Man on!" and then felt a strong force hit you from behind. You went flying forwards, falling oto the floor with a loud thump. You groaned loudly, rolling onto your back as you heard the referee blow her whistle.

In your mind, that was a yellow, but Rolfö got let off with a warning. Lucy helped you up, brushing grass off your back as you tried to get dirt of your white kit.

Only two minutes later, you were the victim of another attack. This time by Jakobsson. As you turned with the ball and carried it down the middle, you felt your jersey getting tugged from behind, you tried to keep running but the pull made you stumble and fall awkwardly on your shoulder. Sofias momentum was still going, and she tripped over you, leaving a deep clear mark on your thigh.

You could hear scrambled voices of your teammates yelling at the referee who somehow decided the ball was to be given to Sweden. Fran helped you up gently, and you could see Millie trying to calm down Sarina as she was all worked up.

"What did you do to them? they’re going at you hard!" Fran joked. "I don’t know. But it’s okay. It’s fine," you answered calmly, walking towards Elle and Leah who were having a pretty angry talk with the ref.

"Girls! It’s okay. It’s fine. Let’s keep going," you said.

Swedens free kick resulted in nothing, and then you kept moving.

In the thirtieth minute, you were awarded a corner. You took your spot in the box, at the back post, and prepared yourself. The second the ball came in, you tried to jump up, but you felt a hand pushing you. Quicker than you knew it, you had fallen into the net pretty aggressively, your body crashing against the netting.

Zecira Musovic had caught the ball, and looked at you strangely as you struggled to get your cleats undone from the net. "She fucking pushed her! Yes you fucking did. Yes you did," Keira yelled, addressing the ref and then Hannah Glas.

"Keira!" you whispered harshly in her ear, making her turn to look at you and put her arms on your forearms. Most of your team was surrounding you now. "I am okay. Can we play this game please. Let’s go girls," you said sternly. "Y/n… this is getting unsafe," Leah said, concern in her voice. "I don’t care."

For once, you got away with the last word, walking off from the girls as they shared looks of worry.

At the end of the first half, your kit was a mess. There were more brown and green patches than white ones. Your face was dirty and your England kit was absolutely grimey. As you lifted the corner of your shirt, one of the only clean parts, to wipe off dirt from your cheek, you realized how scratched and bruise your stomach was.

You were quick to drop your shirt, hoping no teammates or cameras had picked up on your state.

The second you exited the pitch, Sarina had her arm around you. "You’re a fighter. You know that? I don’t know how you’re not loosing your shit out there," your coach said to you, squeezing your shoulder. "Loosing my shit won’t help anyone. It won’t help us win," you said simply. "That mentality, that’s gonna get us that cup. You hear me?" She said, keeping a hold of you as you both walked into the changing room. The second you walked in, the girls were all talking over each other with worry.

"I’ll kill them!"

"Are you okay?"

"How are you not screaming right now?"

"I don’t know how you’re so patient."

"Are you bruised? Cut? Bloody?"

"I am fine! But I won’t be fine if we don’t win this. So let’s win it," you said, sitting down next to Mary who gave you a quick kiss on the forehead.

Sarina went over what we were doing well, and what we weren’t, as you changed your kit into a clean one. You threw the dirty one away and then put your cleats back on as you had chosen to change socks too.

The girls and Sarina left the changing room, leaving you and Leah behind. She had given you a look that said "stay back."

"Listen to me, y/n/n. If you feel unsafe on that field for a second. You tell me, and Sarina will sub you off. Your safety is more important than a trophy. And this team is full of brilliant players, you’re irreplaceable… but what i’m saying is your spot can be… filled in if needed," your captain said. "Leah… we both know how bad you want that trophy," you said to her as you walked out of the room. "Yeah. I do. But I don’t want it enough to sacrifice you for it," Leah said.

"I won’t die, Lee. Let’s play," you said.

You jogged onto the field with her, the stadium erupting at the sight of their skipper and co-skipper.

Sweden seemed to have slowed down a little, on their attack on you, that is. The game was still very much packed with action. They left you along for a solid 30 minutes, which you were immensely grateful for.

But with the 75 minute, came what felt like the 75th foul on you.

Everyone lost their shit.

All, but you.

Everything about Asllani’s tackle was dirty. They way she didn’t even touch the ball. The way foot was way off the ground and her studs were pointed upwards. The way that went she connected with you, and you fell sideways with a scream, she made no attempt to stop her slide, choosing instead to let her studs graze all the way up the side of your leg.

Magda Ericsson had been the only sane Swede on the pitch, rushing toward her midfielder and grabbing her under the arms to pull her off you. She told her off in swedish before trying to check on you. But your team was having nothing of it. Millie gently told the swedish captain, and her club teammate, to back off so she didn’t get yelled at by the lionesses

Your eyes were teary due to the pain of it all. Your leg lay bloody on the turf, the crimson mess of it all starting to trickle down the sides of your thighs. You couldn’t really register the whole thing, but you could see the referee pointing at Asllani and giving her a yellow. But you also saw Leah get one, and Lucy, and then Keira. What were they saying to get them into that mess? "Tell them to stop before we have to play with a man down," you let out to Georgia who was kneeling beside you.

The medics were quick to soak up the blood, revealing a series of cuts made by the studs, but nothing too too serious. "I can keep playing, right?" you asked the medics. "No!" Leah said at the same time as all the other girls let out scattered cries of "no way" and "nuh uh".

"Guys. It’s a cut. It’s fine. I’m sure it was an acc-" you started saying. "No! No it was not an accident. You are too patient at this point, y/n. You need to protect yourself. But if you won’t, I will. You’re going off," Leah said with a sternness you hadn’t seen before.

You held eye contact with her for a while, the air tense. "No. Thirty pounds. Thirty pounds says i’ll score. Don’t take me off, don’t let Sarina sit me on the bench when I can make a difference for this team," you said, standing up, so determined to prove you could stay on the acknowledge the pain you should have been in.

"Fine. Thirty pounds," Leah said.

And then you were playing again, your leg bandaged up, your body in pain, and your mind set. You were everywhere on the pitch. Defending, attacking, demanding a goal. Everyone was shocked, shocked to see you so agressive after being pushed around so much. It just went to show that all your pain and annoyance was fueled into football.

Twenty minutes later, in 90+5, Leah because thirty pounds poorer.

A corner taken by Leah had gotten cleared away by a header, and came straight to you in your position from the outside of the box.

You didn’t think twice. You waited till the ball was perfectly low, and then hit it on the volley. The power on the shot made the ball spin, and it went straight into the goal, hitting the roof of the net.

You screamed loudly, running towards the corner flag, your team chasing after you, and jumping into Ellen’s arms. "LETS FUCKING GO. LETS FUCKING GO!" you screamed at full force.

Ellen let you down and your teammates took turn grabbing your face and kissing your forehead in excitement. The subs were all celebrating around you, and as you ran back to your position, you pumped your first in the air, making the fans screams double somehow.

When the final whistle blew, you cried. Partly of joy, but mostly of pure agony.

Your teammates helped you off the floor, basically carrying you around the field in their arms, making you laugh. But the second you were inside, you let out a shaky cry. Of relief, yes, but of pain. "It’ll be okay. You were amazing, and you’ll be all fixed for Wembley," Leah said, handing you thirty pounds and winking.

[jane-gunson123]

Making History

Your boyfriend, Mason Mount, supports you through the biggest victory of your career so far, winning the Euros as captain of the Lioness. (Social Media AU) 

The reader is also Jordan Henderson little sister, just so there isn’t any confusion.

Main masterlist.

England NT masterlist

Mason Mount Masterlist

Y/NHendo01:

Tagged : lj10, chelseafcw

Liked by lj10, masonmount, KSI, and 132,783 others

Y/NHendo01: Nice 3 points before international break. Ft. A sneaky goal from your favorite duo. ��️

view all 62,456 comments

lj10: always on fire 🔥

          ----- Y/NHendo01: 🔥

User084: stargirl ⭐️

Trentarnold66: come to Liverpool

———— Y/NHendo01: Up the toffies 🔵

——— jordanhenderson: stop antagonising my players pls.

——— Y/NHendo01: soz broski 💁‍♀️ (said in a bad Scouse accent)

User09: the banter between Y/N, Jordan and Trent will never not be my favourite 😂

ChelseafcW: Woman of the match 🤩

———— Y/NHendo01: ❤️❤️❤️

Y/NHendo01:

Tagged: Lionesses

Liked by Lionesses, Mbrighty04, Jordanhenderson and 203,482 others

Y/NHendo01: And the hard work begins. 24 days to change our lives. Euro 2022 here we come. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

View all 78,351 other comments

Lionesses: Our skipper 🤩

———— Y/NHendo01: honoured ❤️

User843: How is she that pretty and talented 😍

——— jordanhenderson: she gets it from her brother 🤷‍♂️

Centralcee: the manden be backing u bro.

——— Y/NHendo01: You keep talking road in my comments and I’ll post that video of u.

——— Centralcee: I was just been nice, Y/N and you wouldn’t dare.

——— User823: I need to see this video, pls post it Y/N

——— Y/NHendo01: I would and thank u. U better come and watch me play if we play at Wembley.

User05: Why is central cee in her comments. She’s lit not that famous 😂

——— user88: They have know each other since they were 15 and Y/N signed for Chelsea. They went to school together.

——— User134: Same with her and Trent. They went to the same school when Y/N had to move to Liverpool with Jordan.

Lionesses:

Liked by Y/NHendo01, KSI, Masonmount, leahwilliamsonn99 and 1,598,718 others

Lionesses: semi-final bound. The English are never done. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

View all 456,782 other comments

Masonmount: that’s my gf 😍

——— User23: He’s so lover boy coded

——— Trentarnold66: He’s whipped that’s what he is.

Y/NHendo01: The English are never done, Howay the lasses.

——— alessiarusso99: Skipper 🫡

JackGrealish: proud to be English. Keep going girls 🩶

User367: They have honestly restored my love of football.

Masonmount:

Tagged: Y/NHendo01

Liked by Y/NHendo01, Jordanhenderson, Centralcee, ChelseafcW and 1,257,286 others

Masonmount: supporting you every step of the way, my girl. We are all unbelievably proud of you. To wear your name on my back is like a feeling comparable with none, but hopefully soon it will be it will be mine you wear. I love you unconditionally ❤️❤️❤️

View all 834,562 other comments

Y/NHendo01: U have made me cry now I can’t leave the room for training. I love you so much and miss u loads can’t wait to see you face to face again 😂❤️❤️❤️

User617: I feel like I’ve just been called single in 627 different languages

——— Trentarnold66: same

Centralcee: I’ll be the DJ at the wedding.

——— Y/NHendo01: No, we want people to actually stay at our wedding, not leave because they heard your music.

——— Centralcee: Don’t lie I watched the interview where Tooney said you were in charge of the music in the dressing room and played my songs so 🖕

Jordanhenderson: your last name is going no where near my sister. Not when u haven’t asked me to marry her.

——— user162: He’s such a protective older brother 😂

——— Y/NHendo01: Can u not pls 😂

Y/NHendo01:

Tagged: Lionesses

Liked by Masonmount, Phil Foden, lucybronze and 567,278 others

Y/NHendo01: 1 step left. Bring on the final and wave the flags. It’s coming home 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

View all 135,167 other comments

Ellatoone: it’s coming home

——— 1MaryEarps: it’s coming home

——— MBrighty04: Footballs coming home

Masonmount: bring on Wembley

User56: let’s go, the lionesses are bringing it home.

Jordanhenderson:

Tagged: Y/NHendo01

Liked by Y/NHendo01, Trentarnold66, Lionesses, and 2,542,682 others

Jordanhenderson: From you begging me to take you to the park so we could kick a ball together at 5 to now at 23 captaining England through a Euros final.

Y/N/N, you are a true inspiration to everyone around you including me. I can’t put into words how proud I am of you. It’s an honour to watch you achieve what you have as your older brother.

You were always my biggest fan growing up, sitting front and center at all my matches now I will be for you. Bring on Wembley wor kid. You got this. Whatever the result I’ll be waiting arms open for you.

View all 982,617 other comments

Y/NHendo01: are you trying to make me cry.

——— Jordanhenderson: don’t get emotional on me now 😂

Y/NHendo01: Love u bro, what an honour it’s been to follow in your footsteps. Bring on this final. ❤️

——— Jordanhenderson: Love you unconditionally sis ❤️

User62: To have bond with your siblings like Y/N and Jordan would literally be a dream

——— Trentarnold66: you should see them bicker over who supports the better football team.

——— Y/NHendo01: it’s not my fault Jordan fell and hit his head as a child so support’s Sunderland. Up the mags 🩶🖤

——— Masonmount: not this again.

Liverpoolfc: Come on you Lionesses ❤️

Lionesses:

Liked by, Y/NHendo01, Masonmount, alessiarusso99 and 1,262,267 others

Lionesses: YOUR EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS 😍🏆

View all 523,372 other comments

User362: legends 🔥🔥🔥

Jordanhenderson: Come on you lionesses.

PhilFoden: Come on England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Lucybronze: champions 🏆

User267: It was Y/Ns goal that was incredible.

——— user36: yeah then she took her top of as a celebration. Ledgend 🔥

Y/NHendo01: Unbelievable

Masonmount:

Tagged: Y/NHendo01

Liked by, Y/NHendo01, JordanHenderson, CentralCee and 653,278 others

Mason mount: Champions after 55 years of hurt. A beautifully talented captain. A team filled with ambition and resilience. What a night a Wembley and what a goal from my gorgeous girl ❤️❤️❤️

View all 234,366 other comments

Phil Foden: come on u lionesses ❤️

JordanHenderson: Proud brother moment

——— Masonmount: Proud Boyfriend moment

——— CentralCee: Proud best friend moment 🙄

Y/NHendo01: I could not ask for better. Love u always my boy ❤️

——— MasonMount: love you forever baby ❤️

——— Ellatoone: Well forever is gunna have to wait cos we are getting smashed tonight. Soz Mason, me and less stole ur girl 😘

User347: what a team they are

[calacuspr]

Calacus Monthly Hit & Miss – Gareth Southgate

Every month we look at the best and worst communicators in the sports world from the last few weeks.

GARETH SOUTHGATE

It has often been said that being the England men’s football manager is ‘the impossible job’ given the levels of expectation that come with the role.

The England men’s team have only won a solitary international tournament – the 1966 FIFA World Cup staged on home soil, with that legendary 4-2 win in the final at Wembley against arch rivals West Germany a rare triumph.

Since then, ‘It’s coming home!’ is a regular theme for England teams who reach the latter stages of tournaments, the groundswell of expectation giving way to despair and heartache when defeat ultimately occurs.

While the influence of the mainstream media may have waned in recent years from the lamentable era when managers such as Graham Taylor had his head super-imposed on a turnip, the pressure still weighs heavy on whoever takes the job.

Big name coaches such as Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello came and went without lifting trophies, the success of the Premier League adding undue hope that this time, things will be different.

After England’s disappointing exit at the hands of Iceland at EURO 2016 and the short-lived tenure of Sam Allardyce after a scandal, what England needed was a safe pair of hands, someone to give the pride back to the Three Lions.

Former international Gareth Southgate, a quiet and under-stated former international defender, was promoted to coach the senior men’s team after a spell in charge of the England under-21 team.

Seen at the time as an underwhelming appointment, especially after his young charges finished bottom of their group in the 2015 European Championship, Southgate inherited a national team who appeared to need dynamic re-invention.

Perhaps his greatest achievement has been to make the team a success without the swashbuckling pizazz that many demanded.

Seen as a light touch, particularly given some of his reactions in-game, Southgate did far more to reinvigorate the men’s team than he is often given credit for.

Football management is a results game, and Southgate took England to the FIFA World Cup semi-final, which they lost against Croatia; before two Euro finals, losing first to Italy on penalties and then to Spain earlier this summer.

It’s important to note that Southgate won nine tournament knockout games during his tenure, as many as England had ever won in major men’s tournaments before his reign.

Some might argue that having worked with one of the more talented of England squads, he should have won a major trophy, but there was far more to his success than just winning games.

Southgate oversaw the England job during a turbulent period in England’s history, with the nation having to endure the drama of Brexit, five Prime Ministers, rising living costs and culture wars which stoked division among society.

That’s where Southgate’s strength lay, acting as a calming influence but also one who was not afraid to take a stand and do what he considered to be the right thing.

During his tenure, there was little to no scandal, such were the standards Southgate expected and secured from his charges.

But he was also brave enough to face down criticisms for the sake of social causes, encouraging his players to take the knee before games as a protest against racism, despite criticism from some of the fanbase, who had found themselves stoked up by populism.

It was fitting that the first game where this took place was an England match in Middlesbrough, where Southgate had played for many years, steadfast despite the mixed reaction from fans before the game.

He was not afraid, either, to address issues such as the rainbow captain’s armband when the decision was made not to wear it under threat of sanctions in Qatar, a conservative state where the FIFA 2022 World Cup took place.

Southgate explained: “I think we are supportive of the LGBT+ community. A large number of the team on the staff have either relatives or friends from that community, so it’s a relationship and a situation that we’re very conscious of.

“We have tried to be supportive, but I also accept that members of that community felt let down by the World Cup, but I think you have to live your life as you see it.

“I do know that we’re in a position where there might be a feeling we haven’t done enough in certain situations and if that’s the case we have to accept that criticism, but it’s not intentional that we would let down any of our fans, but these are all very complex situations that we’re trying to do our best at navigate.”

Qatar was a rare case of Southgate being caught in external political crossfire, but within the camp, he was a master of creating harmony.

Mindful of the factions that had hampered England before, during and after his player career, Southgate had also set about creating unity where there had previously been division, removing ego and selfishness for the selflessness which came naturally to him.

Players reported a good atmosphere during training camps and call-ups, the pressure of representing England being replaced by a calm environment in Southgate’s image, which allowed players to thrive.

That ability to manage egos, to meld players who spent the majority of their lives competing against each other, is one of his greatest legacies. It helped that he brought through players from different clubs who had played together at youth level for England, the bonds of camaraderie already established.

For example, Phil Foden, Marc Guéhi, Conor Gallagher and Jadon Sancho were all part of the England side that lifted the under-17 World Cup in 2017, while Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer played in the winning England under-21 Euros team in 2023. Having come up through the England ranks together, these footballers had an existing relationship that made them likely to form better bonds in the senior team, despite spending most of the year with their different clubs.

When three black England players, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bakayo Saka, received racist abuse online after missing penalties which contributed to England’s defeat in the Euro 2020 final against Italy, something Southgate experienced himself in 1996, the coach was a reassuring figure looking to protect the youngsters from the bellowing external criticism.

He said: "For some of them to be abused is unforgivable really. It's just not what we stand for. We have been a beacon of light in bringing people together in people being able to relate to the national team, and the national team stands for everybody and so that togetherness has to continue.

"We have shown the power our country has when it does come together and has that energy and positivity together.”

The decency and kindness which Southgate exhibited so often has been such an contrast to the aggression and petulance many other coaches show on the sidelines.

It felt like a bond had been built between England players and fans that hadn’t existed for a generation.

Even when ‘fans’ were throwing plastic beer glasses onto the field after a dour 1-1 draw against Denmark, Southgate retained his dignity and humility and faced down his critics, proving that decency is something to invoke inspiration; a strength, not a weakness.

There were criticisms, based around his tactical approach, that he was often too cautious and lacked a clear style of play.

But instead of being seen as the kiss of death, England became adept at winning penalty shootouts, not to mention the progress he made at the business end of tournaments.

Regardless of his failure to lift that elusive trophy, Southgate made the England men’s team contenders again. Where fans often crowed with misplaced pride, he gave them something to be proud of – not only becoming a football force again, but as ambassadors for the English game.

Perhaps it’s fitting that Southgate’s last act as England manager was to publish a letter on the Football Association website confirming that the defeat in Berlin was his last in the role.

“As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England. It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all.

“We have the best fans in the world, and their support has meant the world to me. I’m an England fan and I always will be.

“I look forward to watching and celebrating as the players go on to create more special memories and to connect and inspire the nation as we know they can.

“Thank you, England – for everything.”

As Rory Smith says in the New York Times: “No other England manager has spoken as much or as convincingly as Southgate. No other England manager has so successfully articulated a sense of what the England team is meant to be about, what it stands for and why it matters.”

[keiraxlucy]

Thank you England for reminding us of this video 🥰 Take me back!! 🥹😭

[elenitrack]

Alessia Russo (England)

UEFA Euro 2022

[womenplayerss]

PART 1

Hello, so I meant to post this on youtube but because of copyrights it won't work. I worked so hard and spent a few days on this video I didn't want to put it all to waste just like that, so I decided to post it here if anyone's interested.

Tumblr won't allow more than 10min videos, thus I had to cut it in 2 parts and also compress it (this is why the quality is not that good, it was supposed to be 4K but oh well tumblr).

Anyway, Merry Christmas and enjoy watching P playing since it's been a while :(

Part 2 coming right away xx

[soccer-love]

could you write a ship story between Sarah zadrazil and Laura Feiersinger? Like them being together?

Thanks! :)

You two are...? 

Sarah Zadrazil x Laura Feiersinger 

Sarah pov.

Can you remember the best day of your live?

Well I had many days in my live that I consider as really really good. 

The day I first played for the national team, the first time I played for Bayern Munich, some of the days I spend with my family.

But I think the best day was when I got together with my girlfriend Laura.

It was a Monday in June, after a game against Frankfurt I decided to stay with her, we were siting on the balcony in her apartment, drinking beer and talking.

I loved these moments, just being with her and knowing that I could talk to her about everything and she wouldn't judge me.

I can't really remember who was the first one that leant in, but we both did and when our lips touched and I felt her hand on my cheek, I knew that this wasn't because of the alcohol.

It was because both of us felt the same way.

The next day, she took me out for dinner, as a date and we talked about our feelings and admitted that we both liked each other. 

It's been over a year since that day.

I meet her family, she meet mine. We had our first vacation as a couple, in south Italy.

We celebrated both of our birthdays, Christmas and new year together.

The only thing we didn't do, was telling our team mates.

Since she plays for Eintracht Frankfurt and I for Bayern Munich its complicated enough to spend time with each other.

And we also didn't want to make things awkward between us and our team mates from Austria.

So we kept it a secret, during the whole qualification round for the euros and the group stage and the quarter finals and the semi finals until today.

Well it's still a secret, the only thing is that today are the finals.

We, the Austrian team against the English.

Its the first time for the Austrian women's national team to be in the finals of the Euros. 

And incase we win, it's also the first time for this team, and it would be my first big title. 

----

"You're ready?" Laura asks as she sits down on the bench next to me as I pull my warm up shirt over my head.

"I think so." I say, sitting down next to her. "Are you?"

"Yeah, it just feels so unreal right now, like I’m dreaming all of this and I keep thinking that I’m going to wake up and this never happened.” she explains, I place my hand on her thigh. 

“Well I don't think this is a dream, but incase I’m wrong you’re definitely going to wake up in my arms.” I say and she laughs. 

“Is it bad that I kind of wish that this is a dream?” 

“No because, first you would wake up next to me, which is one of my favorite things and then you could go though this whole tournament again.” 

She grins at me and I can't help but fall in love with her smile even more, Jesus this women has my whole hart. 

We soon get called out for the warm up.  

After that we head back inside and put on our jerseys and as we walk into the tunnel I feel myself getting really really nervous. 

The feeling as we walked out and I see the many fans, with the Austrian flags in there hands, some of them with jerseys of us, it kind of feels like a dream. 

Standing next to my team mates, singing the national anthem together with so many fans, I find the confidence I need for this game, the confidence I need to win. 

When the ref blew her whistle and the game finally started, I knew from the first second that this wasn't going to be easy. For both teams. 

It was still 0-0 at the halftime and I could feel myself and every other player, Austrian and English, getting more and more frustrated. 

We had three attempts on their goal, one went over the bar and the other two we’re prevented by the English goal keeper. 

They had four, but Manu was good enough to keep all of them. 

At the 62ned minute, Ella Toone scores the first goal with an assist from Keira Walsh. 

But it only takes us around 15 minutes to equalize, Laura got a perfect pass from Sarah Puntigam. 

The whole stadium is practically exploding, running straight towards me, Laura jumps into my arms and I can't help but smile so wide that my cheeks hurt. 

“Fuck, I’m so proud of you.” I whisper into her ear, before Barbara and Carina hug us from both sides, screaming at Laura in happiness for this wonderful goal. 

There we’re no more goals, so we got extra time but that didn't really lead to anything either. 

In the 99ned minute, we got a corner. 

Nicole was going to do it. 

She send in the cross, it was to far for me and I almost thought the goalkeeper got the ball in her hands but it bounced off of her hands and landed directly on my foot, and without hesitation I kick it. 

Straight pass the, now really pissed off looking goalkeeper into the goal. 

The same second the referee blew her whistle. 

For the fact that someone just scored, the stadium got really quiet. 

Everyone, players, fans, trainers were looking at the referee, waiting to know if the goal still counted. 

She nodded, probably listing to the person that had the video tape. 

The second she hold her hands up, pointing at towards our goal, the stadium explodes. 

I fall onto the floor, completely out of breath, but so happy that I can feel tears burning in my eyes. 

In less then a second, my team is with me, jumping on top of me, screaming and cheering because we just won. 

We won. 

We won the euro. 

We are the European champions now. 

Fuck this feels so unreal. 

“YOU DID IT.” I can hear Laura screaming, but I don't see her, mainly because I’m still buried under my team mates. 

-----

I loved our game celebration partys but this one was epic. 

Singing from the top of our lungs, dancing on top of tables, speeding Champaign everywhere and holding this trophy. 

We just couldn't stop, we were already celebrating on the pitch, then in the locker room, after that on our way back to our hotel in the bus, then with some of our family members and close friends in the hotel. 

I was with the last one that went to bad around 4am, well at least I tried. 

Laura and I decided, that we would spend the night together in her room so after I got chanced into my sleeping cloths I walk back to hers. 

“You did it.” she says as I enter her room, lifting me up and spinning me around. 

“You did it.” I answer and pull away a little. 

And then I do something, I wanted do to since she scored her goal. 

I grab her by the collar of her shirt and kiss her. 

“I love you.” she whispers as we break apart, slowly pulling me with her on her bed. 

I let her rest her head on my shoulder, one arm over me, while I draw circles on her back. 

“I never thought that I would come this far.” she whispers, looking up at me, her blue eyes meeting mine. 

“Me nighter, but I’m glad that we did this together.” I say, softly kissing her temple. 

We fall asleep like this, cuddled close together. 

Its around 12pm when I wake up and I hear Laura in the shower so I decided to leave a note saying that I’m already going to get Lunch, well technically breakfast but whatever. 

“Good morning.” Verena greets me as I sit down next to her on the table. 

Most of our team mates are already here too, everyone looking happy but tired at the same time. 

I get myself some toast with butter and a typical English breakfast with scrambled eggs and some bacon. 

I’m halfway through my meal when I see Laura entering the room, she shoots me a smile before walking over to the breakfast bar to get herself something to eat too. 

“Huh.” Jasmin next to me makes and I look up giving her a strange look. 

But she just stares at Laura, who's walking towards us. 

At first I don't know what's wrong but as I notice it I almost choke on my toast. 

Laura is waring the black team sweater we all have, but the only wrong thing are the numbers on her chest. 

Normally there would be a white 10, her jersey number. 

But instead there is a white 9, my number. 

Because it's my sweatshirt. 

“You’re good bro?” Laura asks, not understanding what's up. 

Jasmin looks from Laura to me and back at Laura. 

“You two hooked up last night.” she says, like it's the only possible way why she has my sweatshirt. 

The whole team turns her head from me and Jasmine next to me, to Laura and back, like in a tennis match. 

“No.” I say and don't even lie, yeah we spend the night together in one room, but we only kissed, cuddled and admired how happy we are for each other. 

“Well at least not last night.” Laura adds and now I’m the one looking dumbfounded, while she just sits down, acting like she didn't just told the whole team about us. 

“What the fuck?” Manu says and honestly I think I would react the same way. 

“You two are....” Jasmin struggles to find a word for it so Carina helps her out “fucking?” 

What? 

“Like friends with benefits.” Maria adds and now Laura looses her coolness too. 

“What's wrong with you all? I’m wearing her shirt and the first thing you all think is that were fucking.” she says, looking up from her smoothing bowl she was eating until now. 

“But you just...” Barbara says but Laura cuts her off. 

“We are together, like we are in love with each other, together.” she says, grabbing her spoon again. “Before you ask, one year.” 

And with that she focuses back on her breakfast/lunch, our team mates are starring at her like she just told them that she's going to move to the North Pole.

I ask myself if she just got crazy for announcing them that we’re together while I wish that someone would take a picture of their faces. 

A minute passes by and the whole room is silent. 

“Are you guys okay?” Annabel came in just a couple of seconds ago, now looking at the others worried. 

“Did you know that they are together.” Nicole asks, pointing at me and Laura. 

“No but by the way there are looking at each other it was kind of obvious.” she says, sitting down on the last free chair next to Laura. 

“Oh and congrats, you two make a great couple.” she adds. 

I shoot her a smile and Laura gives her a side hug. 

“Thanks.” 

“Come on guys, say something or I start thinking you guys are homophobic.” Laura says. 

Within a second, everyone starts talking and Laura gives me a smile. 

“Sorry, but I had to let them now that you are mine.” she whispers across the table. 

“Yeah I’m considering running away right now and I'm not sure if I want to take you with me.” 

She laughs, before grabbing my hand, rubbing her thumb over the back of my hand. 

“I know you so good that I know that you could never live two days without talking to me.” 

I just smile back, completely in love, because I know that she's right, but I don't have a problem with it. I would talk to her every second of every day, if I could, or at least be with her every second. 

“Hey.” Carina shouts, making everyone shut up. 

“Incase you two get married, feel free to tell us before your one year anniversary.” 

[transparentgentlemenmarker]

AFCON 2023 was watched by 2 billion people worldwide.

Super Bowl 2024 was watched by 200 million people worldwide according to Nielsen.

Euro 2022 was watched by 365 million people worldwide.

[beatrack92]

Georgia Stanway and Alessia Russo (England)

UEFA Euro 2022

[rana030]

I guess in their world the lionesses do not exist

[arsenal-womens-1]

Until the end of time

As you walked around the corner, you can see Leah. She's breathtaking. Her hair is down, she's got very light makeup, and her suit is a beautiful emerald green color with black high heels. You're three rows away from her when she starts crying. You can feel yourself about to cry, and you get to just before her when your dad stops. He hugs Leah. You can see him say something, then he turns to you, hugging you. "You will forever be my little girl. Go marry your princess," letting a few tears fall when he says the last part. As a kid, you were adamant you were going to marry a princess, not a prince, no matter what anyone said. Younger you was right. You were going to marry a princess, and not a prince. You and Leah hug quickly before taking your places. The ceremony begins.

"We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of these two women, Leah Catherine Williamson and Y/N Y/M/N Y/L/N, in marriage. They have chosen to write their own vows, a testament to their love and commitment to each other. Today, surrounded by loved ones, they embark on a journey together, promising to support and cherish each other for all the days of their lives. Let us witness and honor this beautiful moment as they pledge their love and devotion to one another."

You pull a piece of paper out of a pocket in your dress.

"Leah, when I was young, I always said I was going to marry a princess, not a prince. I guess younger me was right. In 2015, my life changed for the better. I sometimes wonder if I had never switched channels or if they hadn’t broadcast that match, would we have still met? Then I look at you, and I know we would have, because when I see you, I see my soulmate. I see the person I will always love. We met for the first time in 2016, and I waited two days before texting you back because I was so nervous. If my friend hadn’t found out, I might have just ignored you. I’m so glad I didn’t. We have spent countless nights planning this day and planning the rest of our lives together. So when death comes and takes my hand, I promise you that I will hold you with the other, and I will find you in every single lifetime. No matter what, I will always love you."

By the end of them, Leah was crying. You had placed the ring on her finger. She pulls a piece of paper out of one of her pockets.

"Y/N, from the moment I spotted you in the stands, I knew I wanted to know you, and I do. Now I want to know you for the rest of our lives, through the ups and the downs. I promise I will love you and I will love our kids. I’ve watched you chase your dream for the past 5 years. As we stand here today, surrounded by our loved ones, I pledge to support you, to cherish you, and to build a future together that's filled with love, laughter, and endless possibilities. And I promise to love you even when you want to go on walks at 2 am or want ice cream. I love you, Y/N. I will always and forever."

You had started to cry the second she started to speak. She places the ring on your finger. The man starts to speak again.

"I now pronounce you wife and wife. You may kiss the bride!"

You do one of the big kisses, the over-the-top ones. You walk down the aisle hand in hand, wife and wife. You had done it. You had married your princess.

[chaosqueen1998]

Chapters: 2/2 Fandom: Women's Association Football | Women's Soccer RPF Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Magdalena Eriksson/Pernille Harder, Magdalena Eriksson & Pernille Harder - Relationship Characters: Magdalena Eriksson, Pernille Harder Additional Tags: Euro 2022, Fluff and Humor, Harry Potter References, bet Summary:

Magda and Pernille make a bet on who will win the tournament. Who will win this thing? And most important who will win this bet?

[pernillemagda]

From the documentary equals

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[l-e-e-woso]

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