A strange week. On Monday I sat in our newsroom expecting the usual blizzard of ideas meetings and trading updates. Instead, 24 hours later I was flying to Geneva with my nine-year-old daughter.
Our destination: the Stade de Genève, a lovely little ground with its own mountain. We were there to see her heroes England play in the Euro 2025 semi-final.
The atmosphere was fizzing, jubilant Italians bellowing at one end, England drumming down the other. Elite women’s football is joyous in a way that the men’s game sometimes forgets. There were no coked-up morons in the crowd singing about the IRA or German bombers. The atmosphere is positive, not bitter.
Still, 600 miles is a long way to travel to see your team lose. Or so we feared in the 94th minute. Step forward Michelle Agyemang, the 19-year-old writing herself into football history, who epitomises the indomitable spirit of this team.
square FOOTBALL Lionesses roar into Euro 2025 final with last-gasp victory over Italy
Read More
Despair turned to relief and then euphoria, as England snatched the sweetest victory. My daughter loved the drama, the dancing and the sweary Swiss man behind us. Back home 10.2 million watched on TV, with another 17.2 million stream views.
Whatever the result in Sunday’s final, England’s players are winning friends and creating one of the most powerful sporting legacies. Aged nine and five, my daughters are the generation benefiting from this surge in women’s football. They play for our local club, go to watch Arsenal Women and write to the players.
I won’t be in Basel on Sunday – I had to return home to put out the bins. But I pray for an England triumph that sparks joy in the hearts of young girls who can write their own chapter in the game.
@olyduff
England vs Spain, 5pm Sunday, BBC1, ITV1, STV, iPlayer, ITVX
Hence then, the article about an ode to joy was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( An ode to joy )
Also on site :
- My Big Family Once Formed the Backbone of My Life. Then, We Discovered My Sister’s Horrific Actions. Now Nothing Is the Same.
- Royal Caribbean Extends Pause at Private Caribbean Resort Through 2026—Here’s What Cruisers Are Getting Instead
- ‘Beloved’ Woodford Reserve Bourbon Is Back Nationwide