‘Proper English’ mindset driving the Lionesses

Preparation, hard work and togetherness – just some of the values that embody the identity the Lionesses are shaping ahead of this summer’s EUROs.

A ‘proper English’ performance was how defender Millie Bright described England’s spirited victory over Spain on home turf at Wembley last time out in February. And it’s a philosophy Sarina Wiegman’s side are committed to ahead of a highly anticipated summer.

“We think it symbolises that we’re a very determined country and we’ve got so many hard working and talented girls,” said Grace Clinton.

“For me – and all the girls agreed – it doesn’t matter how we do it, if we have to fight for it or if we do it in a pretty, footballing way, we win. That’s our nature and that should be our nature.”

Hannah Hampton was between the sticks for Lionesses as they ran out 1-0 winners over Spain under the arch. The goalkeeper pulled off a string of impressive stops as England preserved a clean sheet.

And, according to the 24 year old, mindset is key when it comes to moulding an identity.

“The mentality is the biggest thing,” said Hampton. “We know that teams playing against England find it difficult to get results. That’s what we want.

“In the past, we’ve been known to grind out results and fight for those results however possible. Winning might not always be pretty but getting that win over the line is always going to be a confidence boost.”

“We spoke a lot about our values and we have catch-ups as a team which is important,” added Clinton. “That was the most important thing that we all had the same ideas.

“It’s so important for everyone to be on the same page,” added Clinton. “It’s a team sport, so for everyone to know our values and what we lean back on, it’s going to be massive for us, especially when we go into a tournament.”

One player who knows what it takes to win is Fran Kirby, who was recalled to the England squad by head coach Wiegman for the Lionesses’ double header against Belgium.

The midfielder, who was a part of the EURO 2022 winning team, has represented her country at four major tournaments, reaching a further three semi-finals.

“It’s about being really difficult to beat,” affirmed Kirby. “If you were to ask nations previously or even in the EUROs, ‘what’s one thing about England?’ I think they would say how hard it was to play against us and how hard we worked.

A journey down memory lane with @frankirby and her favourite moments in an England shirt...🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿💭

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) April 1, 2025

“It’s about creating that environment where we know what it takes to win against these top teams. The girls did a fantastic job against Spain in showing that aggression and that no fear element.”

The summer is fast approaching with England – the tournament’s defending champions – preparing to head out to Switzerland.

And it’s very much about looking to the future for the Lionesses, who have some new faces among the squad, along with some familiar ones who played their part three years ago.

“Each team are going to want to win against England – everyone is going to be looking at you,” added Kirby.

“It’s great when things are going great but when things are getting tough and it’s backs against the wall, what is it that you can revert back to? That’s something we’ve been working on and we still need to work on getting those roots and foundations in.

“It’s such a mixture of a group. You’ve got some players that have been to quite a few tournaments now, you’ve got some who this will be their first. It makes it exciting and very competitive.”

For now, the Lionesses shift their focus to the Nations League. Wiegman’s team will welcome Belgium to Ashton Gate on Friday 4 April (8pm BST) before travelling to the King Power at Den Dreef Stadion on Tuesday 8 April (7.30pm BST) to take on the Red Flames twice in quick succession.

“We know that Belgium are a tough opposition and we know that we want to get the three points to keep us top of the group,” explained Hampton.

“For us, we’ll just go out and always keep the English grit about us to go and get the result we need. It’s going to be a process but I’m sure we’ll be ready once the EUROs come around.”

“These camps are so vital for us to really be on the same page,” continued Clinton. “In training, on the pitch and off the pitch, we’ve really made an emphasis on coming together as a team. Every camp now is just as important to get together and figure it all out together.

“The group is feeling really good after last time. We’re taking a lot of momentum from the last game. We’re feeling very together and I feel like we’re all on the same page which is really nice.

“We’ve got new strengths, we’ve got new players, we’ve got new talent. It’s a fresh page – it’s different people, it’s different personalities. We’re just thinking forward to what we can do.”