Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Five standout moments from new film charting England's road to Euro 2022 glory

mirror.co.uk, 23 December 2022, 13:26
The new documentary tells the full story of each game and features interviews with Leah Williamson, Millie Bright, Demi Stokes, Alessia Russo as well as Sarina Wiegman England celebrate in Trafalgar Square after winning Euro 2022

'Inside The Pride: The Untold Story of England's Euros' Victory' has been released on YouTube ahead of its broadcast on the BBC over the festive period.

The documentary gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at how Sarina Wiegman's squad became European Champions last summer, when the Lionesses beat Germany 2-1 after extra time in the final at Wembley. The documentary tells the full story of each game and features interviews with captain Leah Williamson, Millie Bright, Demi Stokes, Alessia Russo as well as manager Wiegman.

Viewers get to see what life was like around the training camp during the tournament and even go inside the dressing room for some of the post-match celebrations.

Here are Mirror's five standout moments from what is a must-watch for any football fan.

Williamson's inspirational message

It it easy to forget how big the anticipation was before England's opening group fixture against Austria. It was a game the Lionesses went on to win 1-0 thanks to Beth Mead's first goal of the tournament and set the tone for the amazing summer that followed.

The atmosphere was electric inside Old Trafford, with smoke from the pre-tournament fireworks display only just beginning to clear as game started. Many England players after that game spoke about how they couldn't hear instructions from the touchline or other teammates due to the ear-splitting noise inside the stadium.

In her interview, Williamson reveals that just before the teams went out onto the field, she turned to goalkeeper Mary Earps and said: "Don't waste a second of this, because I think we are going to want to remember it forever." Fitting words from an inspirational captain who led by example all summer.

Away from the pitch

The documentary doesn't solely focus on what went on during the games. We also get to see inside the Lionesses base at Teddington.

There's some action from an intense game of table tennis between Rachel Daly and Lauren Hemp and an equally hard-fought dodgeball clash on a beautiful summer's day. Players looked relaxed throughout and it clearly made a difference when it came to game time.

"I believe that when you work hard and are really focused, that costs energy," Wiegman explained. "So you need some time to switch off and do other things and get your headspace again."

Inside the dressing room

England's dramatic win over Spain in the last eight set up a semi-final with Sweden at a raucous Bramall Lane. After the Lionesses' stunning 4-0 win, which booked a place at Wembley, we see perhaps the most emotive moment of the documentary.

Williamson is sat alone in the dressing room having just taken part in the on-pitch celebrations following the win. Looking drained, the England skipper has her head bowed as she takes in what has just happened.

"It's weird," she said. "It's that feeling of elation, but then [thinking] one game to go. That's it one more game. We've got six days to change our lives."

Toone recreates Russo celebration

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the documentary is just how strong the Lionesses' spirit was throughout the tournament. The strength of the bond between teammates is on display in virtually every clip that takes fans behind the scenes.

A prime example of this comes courtesy of good mates Ella Toone and Alessia Russo, when the latter talks through her celebration following a sensational back-heel goal against Sweden. Toone brilliantly manages to recreate it at training the next day.

You have to give the Manchester native credit, she nails the celebration and looks hilarious while doing so. "Obviously, Tooney had to take the mick out of me the next day," jokes Russo.

This was an England side that, away from the pressure of competing for one of the sport's biggest prizes, was always laughing, joking and enjoying each other's company.

Tournament legacy

Some of the best parts of the film naturally come after the final whistle sounds at Wembley, confirming the Lionesses as the new European Champions. The viewer is taken alongside the team at the very moment the trophy is lifted to the roar of a packed stadium.

We also see the celebrations in Trafalgar Square and the moment the Lionesses are welcomed by an adoring public. It is heart-warming to see the squad greeted as heroes with England flags flying high as football came home.

But regardless of whether the final was won or lost, Wiegman reveals her team always knew what they were playing for. Inside the team, it was always about more than an international tournament.

"When you have a home tournament and it's such a big event, you know you can make a difference and inspire people," she said.

"If we hadn't won that final, the legacy was already written," added Williamson. "We had changed peoples perceptions already and seen a massive interest in our game. You always have that when we have success at tournaments but this felt different because it was here and everyone felt a part of it."

You can watch Inside The Pride | The Untold Story of England's Euros' Victory now via England's YouTube channel or on New Year's Eve at 12:30 on BBC One.

NEW! Our Year: European Champions 2022 - The Official England Winners Book

With a foreword by England manager Sarina Wiegman, this is the only official book of the historic triumph, reliving every kick of a thrilling tournament and telling the stories of the players who made it all happen.

Order from https://reachsportshop.com/book/our-year-european-champion-2022/

Top News

25 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The Boxing Day feast of Premier League football concludes at around 10pm at Anfield, where league leaders Liverpool will hope to be celebrating a 13th top-flight win of the season against Leicester City. 25 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool will almost certainly win their Premier League match against Leicester City at Anfield on Boxing Day, according to Reds expert David Lynch. 25 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ruben Amorim's Manchester United will look to return to winning ways when they travel to Molineux to face Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Boxing Day. 25 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal fans should not expect Ethan Nwaneri to start Premier League matches week in week out in the wake of Bukayo Saka's injury, Gunners expert Charles Watts has warned. 25 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea and Fulham and meet at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day in a second West London derby to be played at the stadium in the space of three weeks. 25 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to strengthen their unlikely push for a Champions League spot, Bournemouth will host Crystal Palace at the Vitality Stadium in the Premier League on Boxing Day. 25 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Three years after being given the boot by Tottenham Hotspur, Nuno Espirito Santo reunites with his former employers again on Boxing Day, as Spurs head to the City Ground to meet Nottingham Forest. 25 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Closing out the first round of post-Christmas Premier League fixtures, Arsenal and Ipswich Town engage in an Emirates battle on Friday evening. 25 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two iconic north-west clubs meet in the Premier League on Boxing Day, looking to move further up the standings from where they currently are, when Manchester City welcome Everton to the Etihad. 25 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa midfielder Emiliano Buendia may reportedly make the switch to Leeds United during the January transfer window. 25 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk West Bromwich Albion have confirmed that Carlos Corberan has left the club to become the new manager of Valencia. 25 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah could hit yet another new Premier League goalscoring milestone when the Reds host Leicester City in their Boxing Day battle at Anfield. 25 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has lost captain Sam Morsy to suspension ahead of Friday's Premier League clash with Arsenal at the Emirates. 25 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal temporarily begin life without Bukayo Saka when Ipswich Town arrive at the Emirates for Friday's Premier League showdown. 25 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The curtain closes on the festive round of Premier League fixtures at the Emirates Stadium, where title outsiders Arsenal and relegation candidates Ipswich Town lock horns on Friday evening. 25 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Is there a more satisfying sight in football than a sweetly-struck volley ripping into the back of the net? 25 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City must beat Everton on Boxing Day and end their dire form considering they face a relatively unthreatening opponent, Steven McInerney of Esteemed Kompany has told Sports Mole. 25 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City must beat Everton on Boxing Day and end their dire form considering they face a relatively unthreatening opponent, Steven McInerney of Esteemed Kompany has told Sports Mole. 25 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The January transfer window is almost here and clubs around the UK and Europe are lining up moves as they look to take advantage of the opportunity to strengthen. 25 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brighton & Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler is close to welcoming back many first-team players ahead of the visit of Brentford to the Amex on Friday. 25 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brighton & Hove Albion welcome Brentford to the Amex in one of two games being played after Boxing Day in the Premier League. 25 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fulham will attempt a 45-year winless run when they face West London neighbours Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Erling Haaland is preparing to leave Manchester City in the summer, with the Norwegian expressing dissatisfaction behind the scenes, according to reports. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final match on a jam-packed Boxing Day in the Scottish Premiership will come from the SMISA Stadium in Paisley, where St Mirren will be playing host to Rangers. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming for a fourth consecutive League One victory at the New York Stadium, Rotherham United welcome Wigan Athletic on Boxing Day, keen to secure maximum points in gameweek 22. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid forward Rodrygo reportedly down a lucrative offer from Manchester City in the summer to stay in Spain. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Boxing Day brings us a bottom-half clash in the Scottish Premiership with Dundee set to take on a struggling Ross County at The Scot Foam Stadium at Dens Park. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In a promotion 'six-pointer', Huddersfield Town are set to host Stockport County at John Smith's Stadium on Boxing Day in League One. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are supposedly likely to have the chance to sign Paris Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani on loan in January after Bukayo Saka's injury. 24 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two places separate Edinburgh rivals Hearts and Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership table heading into gameweek 19's Boxing Day derby at Tynecastle Park.