Tears, flares and fractured bones as Lionesses celebrate Euro victory with 65,000 fans in London
Red. White. Roar. London was drowned in colour, song and tears as 65,000 fans flooded the Mall to witness history. The Lionesses, fresh from their Euro 2025 victory, returned home in triumph — and no one wanted to miss it.
From teenage boys in face paint to girls in grassroots kits, from first-time supporters to veteran devotees of the women’s game, the crowd surged past Green Park toward Buckingham Palace. The Queen Victoria Memorial became the throne for a team who had done the unthinkable — again.
“I just wanted to be part of history,” said 58-year-old Joanne Rumsby, her shoulders wrapped in an England flag, eyes shining behind a red and white garland. “To see them win again — it was everything. Elation. Pride. Just wonderful.”
Leah Williamson, captain and national icon, stood centre stage atop the “CHAMPIONS” open-top bus. As her voice cracked and the crowd chanted her name, she admitted: “I’ve been crying all the way down the Mall. This is unbelievable.”
Unbelievable indeed — after last-minute equalisers, three bouts of extra time, and nail-shredding penalties, England had conquered Europe once more. “We do it for the team, for the country, for the young girls,” Williamson said. “Stay with us. This story is not done yet.”
Fans felt the weight of that message. Beth Magee, 49, broke her own moral code to see it happen: “I’ve never broken a rule in my life, but I made an exception to see this today.” She scaled a wall, aided by her teenage daughters. “These women are role models — strong, healthy, smart. We are so proud of them.”
The Lionesses’ impact is more than emotional — it’s structural. After the 2022 win, 1,500 new girls’ teams were registered. Participation exploded. Vivienne Avery, 55, picked up a ball for the first time: “They inspired me. It was now or never.” Her daughter, Ruby, remembered when she couldn’t even find a local team in Southfields. “Now they’re everywhere. The impact is huge.”
Then came the chaos. Chloe Kelly, exuberant as ever, sent broadcasters scrambling by declaring into the mic: “It’s so f***ing special!” Fans roared. Sarina Wiegman, usually composed, danced wildly on stage with Burna Boy, her favourite artist, belting For My Hand. Asked about the crowd’s new chant “Tequila (Sarina!)”, She grinned: “It’s stuck in my head now — so thank you.”
Wiegman credited their unity: “It starts with talent, but the bonding in this team made the absolute difference.” Lucy Bronze, ever the warrior, revealed she’d played the final with a fractured tibia. Asked how the party went after the win, she deadpanned: “I don’t remember.”
As the sun dipped behind the Palace, the last notes of Sweet Caroline and One More Time faded. Ticker tape rained, the trophy gleamed, and dreams caught fire.
Nine-year-old Eva Mummery, there with her under-11s squad from Gloucestershire, looked up at the stage with stars in her eyes: “It’s made me want to play more. I want to bring home that trophy one day — with my amazing teammates.”
If you stood on the Mall and listened closely, you’d hear it still — the roar of belief, echoing in every little girl with a ball at her feet.