‘a Lot Of Emotions’: England Fans Head To Zurich After Euro 2025 Semi-final Drama

For those among England’s travelling support whose power had not been wholly sapped by yet different nighttime of knife-edge drama astatine Euro 2025, nan triumph against Italy was an excuse to powerfulness done and party. Geneva is hardly known for its booming midweek nightlife but much than a twelve fans recovered a measurement to observe earlier boarding nan first train northbound astatine 4.45am connected Wednesday.

Among them was a group of 5 who had taken nan plunge and travelled without overnight accommodation, yet returning to their campsite successful Lucerne. The tourney has reached that heady shape wherever plans are excitedly patched together connected nan hoof; location is thing astir nan logistical dilemmas down plotting routes to a awesome last that clears tired minds and bleary eyes.

Others pinch much cautiously laid itineraries were still trying to make consciousness of it all. “A batch of emotions,” said 15-year-old Izzy, who was travelling pinch her mother, Emma. “It was truthful nerve-wracking. Then Michelle Agyemang scored and we conscionable flipped.” The brace were sitting 2 rows from nan transportation astatine Stade de Genève, level pinch nan halfway line, offering an aggravated image of those frantic last moments erstwhile England pulled it retired of nan occurrence again.

From their location successful Hethersett, adjacent Norwich, Izzy and Emma had forged tentative plans to be nan competition’s second stages. But they had to hold until England had beaten Sweden connected penalties, prevailing successful an bonzer shootout past Thursday, until they could push nan fastener connected their trip.

For Emma, an English coach who has seen liking astatine her schoolhouse surge pinch nan Lionesses’ progress, location was peculiar pridefulness successful watching Lauren Hemp prima for Sarina Wiegman’s side. She hails from nan Norfolk town, North Walsham, wherever nan Manchester City guardant grew up and trim her footballing teeth. But it was nan 19-year-old Agyemang, small known to nan wider world earlier her extraordinary effect from nan bench this month, who captured imaginations connected Tuesday evening. “A gamechanger,” said Izzy, who wore a garment base nan sanction of nan England midfielder Jess Park.

England fans show their delight aft Chloe Kelly’s precocious victor successful nan semi-final. Photograph: Jose Breton/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

Next comes nan scramble for last tickets, which they were optimistic of securing upon arriving successful Zurich for a fewer days’ sightseeing earlier England’s showdown. This tournament’s friendly, inclusive consciousness has near fans impatient to sample nan big-game acquisition connected overseas ungraded again. “It’s been truthful nice,” Izzy said. “Not that galore of my friends travel nan women’s crippled truthful it’s been awesome to beryllium astir everyone here, wherever we tin talk astir everything.”

On an day train to Zurich, Adie and Amy relieved Chloe Kelly’s penalty-rebound victor done a video taken from their position a matter of yards distant down nan goal. The telephone camera shook wildly arsenic chaotic celebrations unfolded. They were among a group of friends who had played shot together astatine nan University of Leeds and often recreation to support England’s women astatine tournaments.

“It’s awesome to spot really overmuch bigger nan games person become,” Amy said. “We were successful Nice for nan World Cup successful 2019 and you would hardly person known location were matches on. Now you spot group retired and astir everyplace successful England shirts.”

Their statement person tickets to nan last secured and were pleased, during nan journey, to study 2 friends will beryllium capable to subordinate them. First they were owed to be nan 2nd semi-final, betwixt Spain and Germany, whose result would person a immense base connected perceptions of England’s chances. A Spain triumph would revive memories of nan 2023 World Cup final, wherever La Roja hit them 1-0 successful a ascendant display.

“We’re staying positive, we’re manifesting,” Amy said. “Our motto has been: ‘No fear.’ And arsenic we’ve seen, it only takes 1 2nd to score.”

England whitethorn request a fewer much seconds than that if their last opponents are connected song. But Basel will pulsate to nan jubilation of moreover much tired, ecstatic supporters if they propulsion done and complete nan occupation connected Sunday night.