Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman has dedicated England’s historic Euro 2022 to her sister’s memory.
Fans watching the nail-biting final at Wembley on Sunday occasionally saw the team’s head coach kiss a wristband he was wearing during the match.
And it has been revealed that the gesture had a deep meaning for her.
Just a month before the championship, his sister died, and he moved away from the field to mourn with his family.
When he returned, the team asked if they could wear black mourning bands in their first game, in recognition of their loss.
She then told the Sun: “They are such great people, and it shows how close we are. It was a big gesture, and I’m sure my sister would have been proud.”
Image: England’s Rachel Daly celebrates. Image: AP
Read more: It’s back home: Lionesses deliver England’s first major trophy since 1966pm, Spice Girls and Three Lions react to Euro 2022 win
After England’s win against eight-time champions Germany on Sunday, one of the first things Wiegman did was kiss a bracelet he was wearing.
She said, “I’m kissing this little bracelet that was my sister’s. My sister died during our boot camps.
“It’s a big miss, because he’s my partner.
“She would have been here, she was going to every game, so she would have been very proud of me, and I was very proud of her.”
And referring to the moment Germany midfielder Lina Magull crashed a shot at goal, only to be denied by the woodwork, Wiegman smiled and added: “But I think it was here, I think it was on the crossbar.”
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
0:38 Storm press conference of the singing team
Wiegman’s side ended the so-called 56 years of injury by defeating Germany 2-1 after extra time in front of more than 87,000 fans, a record crowd for any European Championship game, turning He became the first England manager since Sir Alf Ramsey in 1966 to win a major international tournament.
The Dutchwoman was only appointed England manager 10 months ago but has now won back-to-back Euros after leading the Netherlands to glory five years ago.
Under his leadership, England surpassed Germany’s (2009) record of 21 goals at the Women’s European Championship. His latest winner was his 22nd goal of the tournament.