England win the Deaf Women's EURO title

Poland 0-2 England
Saturday 21 March

England won the 2026 Women’s Deaf European Championship with a 2-0 victory against Poland, which completed a 100% record of five straight victories in the campaign.

The Para Lionesses beat the Polish team in 4-2 in their opening group stage match and, after a semi-final victory against the Republic of Ireland, secured another two-goal win against their opening opponents in the final.

Goalkeeper Emma Brown made a fine save from a Poland free-kick in the first half as England withstood early pressure, but they soon opened the scoring when Lucindha Lawson finished superbly through the legs of the onrushing Poland 'keeper from a Louise Hogan pass on the right wing.

Brown superbly denied two close-range efforts to keep England in front, and Lawson capitalised with her second goal in the opening half, after Danielle Evans' shot was parried into her path from close range.

Ellie Betteridge and Evans went closest after the break, while the Para Lionesses restricted their opponents to few clearcut chances in an impressive second-half display as Steve Daley’s team closed out the match and lifted the trophy.

Starting 5: 13 Emma Brown, 3 Zara Musker (c), 6 Lucindha Lawson, 10 Kate Bowers, 11 Ellie Betteridge

Substitutes: 1 Natasha Hamm, 2 Lucy Scholes, 4 Maisie O'Shea, 5 Louise Hogan, 7 Danielle Evans, 8 Faye Williams, 9 Macie White, 12 Sophie Mernagh

England 3-1 Republic of Ireland
Thursday 19 March 2026

England will contest the final of the 2026 Women’s Deaf European Championship against Poland on Saturday, after a hard-earned victory over Ireland in Thurday’s semi-final.

Steve Daley’s team came into the knockout stage on the back of three victories in their group, and put in a fine team display against the nation who knocked them out of the Women’s Deaf World Championship at the quarter-final stage last summer.

And the Para Lionesses had to work hard for their victory, with two equally-matched teams competing fiercely for a place in the final and a shot at the title.

They couldn’t be separated in the first half, but England took the lead four minutes after the restart when a flowing passing move ended with Louise Hogan firing the Para Lionesses ahead after exchanging passes with the impressive Ellie Betteridge.

But Ireland hit back with 12 minutes of the half remaining as they hit England on the break and Rebekah Grant was left free in the area to equalise from just inside the area.

England quickly restored their advantage though, when Betteridge’s low cross-shot into the area was met by captain Zara Musker to make it 2-1.

And with Ireland pressing for an equaliser, it was left to Betteridge to get a deserved goal to wrap things up with a low, angled and precise finish into the bottom corner for 3-1.

England will now take on Poland in the final on Saturday (4pm GMT), following their victory over Sweden in the other semi-final. They will be familiar opponents too, with the opening game of the tournament between them ending in a 4-2 win for England.

Starting 5: 13 Emma Brown, 3 Zara Musker (c), 6 Lucindha Lawson, 10 Kate Bowers, 11 Ellie Betteridge

England 4-2 France
Sunday 14 March

England sealed their place in the Deaf EURO semi-final on Sunday afternoon after a thrilling first-half performance helped them to a 4-2 victory over France.

Steve Daley's side had to really show their character too, after falling behind to an early goal from France only to level up after Faye Williams' brave finish from close range moments later.

The French hit back again straight from the restart as a flowing team move ended in an emphatic finish to put them 2-1 up.

But England weren't done and Louise Hogan made it 2-2 with a low shot from the edge of the area after Macie White had darted down the flank before setting her up.

A defence-splitting pass from Ellie Betteridge then sent White clear to put England ahead for the first time in the game and they went in at the break with a 3-2 lead.

The second half was less eventful in terms of goals with the game on a knife edge as France searched for a way back into the game and England had to manage the match and protect their advantage.

But victory was secured with four minutes remaining when Louise Hogan did well to win possession in the France half before her low shot was diverted home from close range by the onrushing White to net her second of the game.

The Para Lionesses will now feature in Thursday's semi-final (12.30pm GMT) against Ireland.

Starting 5: 13 Emma Brown, 3 Zara Musker (C), 10 Kate Bowers, 11 Ellie Betteridge, 6 Lucindha Lawson

 

Italy 2-5 England
Thursday 12 March 2026

England made it two wins from two games at the Deaf Women's European Championship on Thursday morning, following a resounding 5-2 victory over Italy.

Steve Daley's team went into the match on the back of their opening-game victory over Poland to put themselves in a strong position going into their final group match against France on Sunday afternoon.

The first half was a tight affair with little sign of what was to come, before Zara Musker drove home a low shot following a clever corner from the right to give the Para Lionesses the advantage just seconds before the break.

England doubled their lead five minutes after the restart when Faye Williams struck home a long-range shot through a crowd of players, before Macie White made it 3-0 with a shot from her own half after the Italian 'keeper had come out to play upfield as they searched for a way back into the game.

Italy did pull a goal back to make it 3-1, but England's response saw them fire two more goals in the final stages with Louise Hogan scoring from her own box with a stunning effort as Italy threw players forward.

And the scoring was rounded off with just over four minutes remaining when Musker scored from close range after being set up by Ellie Betteridge before Italy scored a second goal just before full time.

Starting Five v Italy: 13 Emma Brown, 3 Zara Musker (c), 4 Maisie O’Shea, 10 Kate Bowers, 6 Lucindha Lawson

Poland 2-4 England
Tuesday 10 March 2026

England began their Women's Deaf European Championship campaign with a win, following a 4-2 victory over Poland in Croatia.

The Para Lionesses played the first of their three group stage games on Tuesday afternoon, and Steve Daley's side had to work hard to emerge as winners following a strong second-half performance.

A brace from Lucindha Lawson and further strikes from Louise Hogan and Macie White proved enough to secure victory.

Starting Five v Poland: 13 Emma Brown, 7 Danielle Evans, 11 Ellie Betteridge, 9 Macie White, 5 Louise Hogan

The tournament is taking place in Porec between 10 and 21 March, with games to be played at the Zatika Sports Hall.