How Lionesses went from glory to Olympics heartbreak – and why it could benefit them
Sarina Wiegman was left speechless after England failure to qualify for the Nations League finals and the subsequent exclusion from the Paris Olympic Games. Despite winning the Euros in 2022 and reaching the World Cup final in 2023, England faced a dramatic turn of events during the Nations League finale. A late goal by Lucy Bronze seemed to secure their spot, but the Netherlands’ scoring dashed their hopes. Wiegman acknowledged the team’s disappointment, marking it as England’s first low point under her leadership.
Despite finding their form again, damage was done earlier in the campaign, particularly with defeats to the Netherlands and Belgium. Despite a stunning comeback against the Netherlands at Wembley and a decisive win against Scotland at Hampden, England’s late surge was not enough to offset earlier setbacks.
Some criticise the lack of urgency in the early rounds of the Nations League, possibly influenced by a World Cup hangover and the team’s hectic schedule with consecutive major tournaments.
But the summer off will benefit the Lionesses, allowing for much-needed rest after three consecutive summers of major tournaments. Wiegman emphasised the players’ desire to participate in every tournament, but the physical toll, especially with injuries affecting key players, made the workload unsustainable.
With the focus shifting to the defence of their Euros crown in Switzerland and an upcoming break, the long-term goal is to return to the big stage at full strength. Despite the setback, Wiegman remains optimistic about the team’s growth and future success.