With the England Women’s team now back home after a historic FIFA Women’s World Cup run, there are three reasons to be proud of the Lionesses’ achievements.
Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses overcame various challenges to finish runners-up at the Women’s World Cup for the first time, amidst a heartbreaking defeat to Spain in the final but their journey however left a nation brimming with pride.
From creating history to inspiring generations, England certainly created a legacy back home in various ways which will last long beyond their subsiding heartbreak with women’s football now having seen a further surge in public popularity.
Now, here are three specific reasons why the nation and players themselves should be proud of their successful tournament, which left many pundits stating that this is one rare runner-up finish which will be remembered for decades to come.
History Makers
Although these Lionesses failed to bring football home in the form of a trophy, we can’t deny that they’re history makers because they were the first England Women’s team to reach a World Cup Final which is a difficult task to have achieved.
This squad were also missing three key players in; Fran Kirby, Beth Mead and Leah Williamson, so for them to finish runners-up amidst their absence is an achievement in itself, although you have to wonder what could of been especially if Mead had been fit for the tournament.
Wiegman’s Lionesses also achieved their new personal record-best goal difference at a World Cup of +9 which is further evidence of their progress as a team, and that deserves to be celebrated in terms of their quality and defensive ability.
Goalkeeper, Mary Earps meanwhile made history as the first English goalkeeper at senior level to win the Golden Glove award, further underlining how historic this tournament has been for the team.
Throw in the adversary of their matches falling during daytime during the British summer holidays when fans back home had limited opportunities to watch due to work, family or etc., these Lionesses certainly inspired people to tune in with their incredible run irrespective of personal routines.
A peak of 14.7m across BBC and ITV for the Final therefore is an incredible feat which marked the most-watched England game at a Women’s World Cup ever, whilst fans of all ages and gender packed out public screenings, pubs and local football clubs to watch the historic final together.
Now that is making history and breaking down boundaries without needing a trophy to represent their success.
Inspiration to Generations
As the heartbreak of the cruel defeat in the final begin to subside, there is a lot to be proud of beyond their on-pitch performance, spirit and achievements because these Lionesses are an inspiration to generations across the country.
Whilst it is easy to say that people living in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales aren’t bothered, there is no doubt that England’s successful run to the final will inspire millions of girls and women across the land as heard by various callers to phone-in shows on TV and radio recently.
Junior football clubs have even been forced to expand their number of girls’ teams over the last 12 months due to increased interet after England’s Euro success last summer, which seems to only be getting stronger following the Lionesses’ memorable World Cup run.
Their achievement will also bring long-term benefits with schools now actively encouraged to include girl’s football in the P.E. curriculum, which can only lead to future talent emerging and strengthening the future quality of the senior team moving forward.
The educational push and expansion of junior football for girls will in-turn create an increase in funding to provide maximum support for talented youngsters, with help of the FA’s Centres of Excellence and clubs around England.
National and local press coverage also gradually built momentum across the tournament, which culminated in the Lionesses dominating front and back pages of national newspapers in the latter stages, serving as further inspiration for women and girls as to what can be achieved.
The scandal around Nike’s refusal to sell Earps’ goalkeeper shirt further served to demonstrate the sport’s impact because it exposed sexist attitudes within the sportswear industry, in-turn triggering debate around equality with youngsters denied the chance to buy a replica shirt of their idol.
Ultimately no matter how tough it is to still not bring the World Cup home at any senior level for the first time since 1966, this England team are an inspiration to generations in many ways.
Motivation For Future Tournaments
After suffering the agony of a World Cup Final defeat, it is easy to deflate emotionally but these Lionesses have an unique chance to turn that heartbreak and pain into motivation quicker than any of their female precedessors at the women’s senior level.
UEFA’s decision to create a women’s version of the Nations League which launches in late September serves as that chance at redemption, because it is a new major competition albeit continental but represents a chance to get back to title winning ways without waiting until Euro 2025.
That competition also offers qualification for 2024 Olympics by virtue of reaching the final, which surely will serve as motivation for the Lionesses, not only to chase another trophy and atone for their World Cup defeat but to secure a spot on the global stage at the Olympics once more.
With England further finding themselves in a competitive group containing Scotland, Netherlands and Belgium, it further reduces the chance for any hangover emotion because they will have to be fully motivated from the get-go especially with relegation at stake in the group phrase.
Motivation will also serve to further unite the squad in their quest for glory and to keep inspiring mutliple generations, so their pain at losing to Spain might just be a blessing in disguise if they can seize this opportunity to grow further in coming years.