England's Lionesses struggled in the initial stages of the Euros tournament but aim to regain their identity as 'True England' again.
In the ongoing Euro 2025 tournament, the England women's football team, affectionately known as the Lionesses, have been rallying around a unique term – 'Proper England'. This phrase, far from being a mere slogan, encapsulates a return to traditional English football values, emphasising efficiency, determination, and purposeful play.
The concept of 'Proper England' was first introduced by manager Sarina Wiegman following a draw with Portugal. It has since evolved into a mindset that encourages the team to fight together, play with intent, and demonstrate both defensive resilience and attacking purpose. This was particularly evident in their 4-0 win over the Netherlands.
Lucy Bronze, a player who has seen seven major tournaments with England under her fourth permanent manager, believes that the term 'Proper England' has not been used to negate tactics or anything else that comes with the game. Instead, it serves as a reminder of the importance of playing with toughness, togetherness, and a focus on doing the fundamental things well.
The Lionesses' temporary base in Zurich, Switzerland, even has a pub called Nelson, described as a "slice of English life". The team often gathers here, reminding them of their roots and the ethos of English football.
The team's roster includes a mix of younger and more experienced players. While many players have experience with English clubs, such as Kosovare Asllani, who won a league and cup with Manchester City and took London City Lionesses into the Women's Super League, the team also boasts a darts star in Lauren Hemp.
Sweden, the Lionesses' group stage opponent, has also been influenced by English football, with a history dating back to the 19th century. However, Asllani notes that the Swedish team has become a more technical side and plays more intense football.
In the ongoing tournament, Sweden has won all three group games, peaking with a 4-1 humiliation of Germany. Meanwhile, England struggled at the start but feel like "Proper England" again. They are determined to uphold the values of their team identity and values, and to continue to inspire and motivate the next generation of footballers, as Georgia Stanway, a member of the team, put it, "the little girl that wanted to be here".
The unique term 'Proper England' coined by manager Sarina Wiegman is not just a slogan, but a mindset that inspires the England women's football team to play with toughness, togetherness, and a focus on fundamental skills, as evident during their 4-0 victory over the Netherlands. This mindset, which encourages both defensive resilience and attacking purpose, has even influenced other European teams like Sweden, who have become more technical and play intense football.
