The England women’s team were greeted by cheers from jubilant fans outside Downing Street as they arrived back in the UK following their victory over Spain in a nail-biting penalty shootout
The red carpet was rolled out for the Lionesses as they celebrated their Euros triumph in Downing Street tonight.
The England women’s team were greeted by cheers from jubilant fans lining the street outside as they arrived back in Britain following their victory over Spain in a nail-biting penalty shootout in Basel, Switzerland last night.
No10 was decked out to greet them, with St George’s flags adorning the windows and bunting lining the railings outside No10 as Sarina Wiegman and the team posed with the trophy outside, wearing their medals.
Applause could be heard inside as staff formed a guard of honour to welcome the two-time European champions for a reception in the Downing Street garden hosted by Deputy PM Angela Rayner and Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock.
Ms Rayner was seen laughing with Alex Greenwood, Beth Mead and Chloe Kelly, and sharing a drink with the England manager, while players posed for selfies in front of flags and pictures of their Euros heroics set up on large easels.
READ MORE: Keir Starmer’s brutal advice to England men’s football team after Lionesses’ victory
She told the players: “The Lionesses have brought it home again – and what a fantastic feeling that is! Champions of Europe again… and nerve rackingly on penalties!
“You’ve defended your title, with grit, and with determination and skill.”
Ms Rayner said Keir Starmer had been cheering them on, adding: “You’ve made us all so, so, proud. Your performances have inspired the nation and lifted women’s football to new heights.”
She went on: “Role models like you send such a powerful message. The Lionesses are a shining example of a talent and excitement of women’s football.
“This win is a brilliant advert for the sport and will inspire thousands of girls to dream big. The next generation of Lionesses are out there now — playing in schools, parks, and grassroots clubs.
“And this government is matching their ambition by investing hundreds of millions of pounds into sporting facilities and making sure that those facilities are prioritised for women and girls.
“Your success today gives those girls hope, and a role models to look up to. So, from everyone here at No10, and across the country, thank you for your hard work, your passion, and your courage.”
The England players and staff were given canapes and drinks at the reception – and handed over a signed shirt to Downing Street as a gift.
Speaking afterwards, England manager Sarina said: “It was very, very special. Downing Street, you don’t come there normally so of course the moment was really nice.
“How they built it up like this was very, very special, to be able to go inside but also to be in the garden there was really, really nice.
“The people were really nice also. They put up some pictures of us to show what we had done in the Euros. Lovely, a very warm welcome.”
Asked how she managed to pull off three back-to-back European championship victories, she said: “I don’t know. For me it feels very surreal. I’m just doing my best every single day and trying to bring people together. I have so much quality around me.”
She joked there would be “a little bit more” partying but added: “Tomorrow will be a big day.”
Some of the team stopped to see Larry, the Downing Street cat, who had come out to bid them farewell as they left, while others posed for pictures.
On Tuesday, the team will face the crowds again at an open-top bus procession along The Mall and a ceremony in front of Buckingham Palace.
But their celebrations began in earnest in Switzerland on Sunday night, where the players can be seen cheering, raising a glass and dancing with Reggie, the dog, in a video posted on the team’s social media accounts.
Earlier, Keir Starmer hailed the team’s triumph, saying the Lionesses had “once again captured the hearts of the nation” and were “an inspiration for young people across the country”.
But No10 resisted calls to give the nation a bank holiday to celebrate.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman quipped: “If we had a bank holiday every time the Lionesses win we’d never go to work,” he told reporters.
He added: “It is a tribute to the success of the Lionesses. The Prime Minister has said how inspiring their incredible victory was last night, and the team has captured the hearts of the nation.
“We look forward to joining the rest of the country celebrating this incredible win.”
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