by Euphoria, arms triumphantly in the air, and finally a big trophy. Monday’s front pages capture the mood of the nation after the Lionesses lifted the European Women’s Football trophy – England’s first major silverware in 56 years.
All but one newspaper celebrated the historic 2-1 win over Germany in the final at Wembley on their front pages after Chloe Kelly’s extra-time winner put paid to the eight-time winners’ hopes of adding another title to their honours.
“History makers” is splashed across the Daily Mirror’s front page, which is dedicated exclusively to the triumph.
The paper’s back cover reads “It’s Home”, a tribute to the players chanting “It’s Coming Home!” when they entered Sarina Wiegman’s press conference after the game.
On the Daily Mail’s front page, the headline proclaims “It wasn’t a dream…we beat Germany in a final”. Match winner Kelly is pictured waving her shirt over her head in celebration after she scored the decisive goal in the 111th minute.
The Times has a photo of the Lionesses hoisting the trophy in triumph, with the lead article claiming the victory “put the finishing touches to an incredible three and a half weeks, not just for women’s football but the women’s sporting movement in England”.
The Guardian also focuses on what the victory will mean for women’s sport going forward with the headline “Game changers”.
The Sun has a picture running around the front and back of the paper, showing the Lionesses celebrating their win, with the headline: “Move over boys.. It’s home!”. The reverse also includes a quote from the Queen: “You have all set an example that will be an inspiration to girls and women today, and to future generations”.
The Daily Star’s headline ‘Roarsome’ superimposes an image of confetti falling on the ecstatic team, capturing how it feels for England to end their 56-year wait for a major championship win.
The Daily Telegraph also celebrates the win with a photo of the Lionesses hoisting the trophy. Below follows another battle that is also consuming the nation over who will triumph as England’s next manager, headlined: “Sunak promises 4pc cut in income tax”.
Scotland’s Daily Record bucks the trend and instead of the Lionesses has a picture of Celtic players celebrating their Scottish Premier League win over Aberdeen. The newspaper leads with a story about the cost of living crisis plaguing the country, with the headline “Nothing left to cut”.
The Daily Express dedicates its front page to the Lionesses with the headline “It’s Home”, while the Independent’s headline reads “History” with a close-up of the team holding their first major trophy.
The front page of the Financial Times shows Kelly running around the pitch in celebration, calling the win the “Stuff of dreams” in the headline. It shares the front page with two lead stories: “West eases Russian oil curbs as inflation, energy risks rise,” and “Property tycoon Candy sells luxury Surrey property for £125m”.
Metroen celebrates the victory on its front page with the headline: “No more years of hurt”. Above the headline is a picture of the euphoric team with medals around their necks and the trophy held high.
