Football fans across Bolton and all over the country are getting ready to cheer on England’s Lionesses in today’s Women’s Euro 2022 final.
England will kick-off against Germany at 5pm today, with anticipation already reaching fever pitch as the Lionesses prepare to give their all to bring back England’s first major honour, won by either to men’s or women’s sides, since the 1966 World Cup.
Bolton’s own Paddy McGuinness has pledged his support as he gets ready to join England fans for what looks set to be a tense encounter with a highly rated German side.
He said: “Can’t wait for this, what a tournament! Good luck Lionesses
“Fantastic role models and doing the country proud.
“’ll be watching with the kids and cheering you all on from our living room! History makers.”
Can’t wait for this, what a tournament! Good luck @Lionesses Fantastic role models and doing the country proud. I’ll be watching with the kids and cheering you all on from our living room! History makers. #ENGGER #WEURO2022 pic.twitter.com/xmTevfh0nH
— Paddy McGuinness 💙 (@PaddyMcGuinness) July 31, 2022
The Germans already have eight previous Women’s Euros victories to their name, while England will be competing to get their hands of the coveted title for the first time in the history of the women’s game.
But England captain Leah Williamson believes that, win or lose, her side’s performance will leave a legacy to be proud of.
She said: “What we’ve seen in the tournament already is that this hasn’t just been a change for women’s football but society in general, it’s about how we’re looked upon.”
“The final is not the end of a journey but the start of one.
“And regardless of the end result, there will be a nice moment for reflection.
“Naturally it’s my job to go out for 90 minutes to play, and win, but when we look back on this tournament as a whole, we’ll have really started something.
“I want tomorrow to be the start, to be a marker for the future.”
““I’ve only ever been in this football workplace but, in most workplaces across the world, women still have a few more battles to face to try to overcome.
“For every success we make, for every change of judgment or perception or the opening of the eyes of somebody who will now view women as somebody with the potential to be the equal of her male counterpart, that can create change in society.”
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