During the Euro 2025 tournament, James, a barista for the England team, brought along his cockapoo, Reggie.
The remarkable journey of England at Euro 2025, featuring penalty shootout heroics and decisive late goals from substitutes, has been widely celebrated.
However, behind the scenes, there are compelling narratives of a beloved canine companion, intricate Lego creations, and one Lioness who transformed her room into a makeshift beauty salon.
Here, we delve into the untold stories that contributed to England’s triumphant campaign in Switzerland.
Reggie the dog accompanied England throughout their Euro 2025 journey.
The Football Association spared no effort in ensuring that England had what captain Leah Williamson described as “a home away from home.”
Their accommodation, the five-star Dolder Grand, perched atop a steep hill overlooking Zurich’s city center, was likened to a “Disney Castle” by BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Katie Smith.
Access was often via a funicular, a cable railway with a dedicated stop for hotel residents.
Players socialized with family members in the reception areas, enjoying coffee or Lionesses-branded Yorkshire tea.
During their downtime, they explored Lake Zurich, hiked in the nearby hills, and utilized the hotel’s luxurious spa for recovery and relaxation.
Midfielder Jess Park found solace in watching thunderstorms from her hotel balcony, captivated by the stunning views.
Attention to detail was evident everywhere, with shirts bearing players’ names displayed in the media center, alongside a framed letter from Wiegman expressing gratitude to the press for their coverage.
Adding to the team’s comfort was their personal barista, who brought along his cavapoo, Reggie. The dog spent considerable time with the players, often appearing in their ‘diary room’ videos, providing companionship for those missing their own pets.
Aggie Beever-Jones dedicated her free time to creating a photo journal documenting the Lionesses’ stay in Switzerland.
Defender Lucy Bronze noted that the England team remained “really calm” after their initial defeat by France, understanding the necessity of defeating the Netherlands to advance in the tournament.
“Leah Williamson, Keira Walsh, Ella Toone, Alessia Russo, and Beth Mead were playing Monopoly, while I spent the morning building a jigsaw puzzle with Michelle Agyemang and Maya Le Tissier,” Bronze recounted.
“We were remarkably composed, knowing what was required. We couldn’t dwell on the French game, and our training was excellent. It paid off.”
Bronze humorously mentioned that the jigsaw puzzle was left in disarray, but the Lionesses had numerous other hobbies to keep them entertained.
Inspired by Alex Greenwood, Aggie Beever-Jones pursued photography, compiling pictures into a journal to create a lasting memory book.
Defender Lotte Wubben-Moy, though not appearing in the Euros, sought comfort in familiar routines, bringing her sourdough starter for Lionesses chef Stuart to nurture daily.
Beever-Jones captures Euros experience with ‘memory book’
Lauren Hemp spent her time at Euro 2025 building a Lego Beauty and the Beast castle.
Forward Lauren Hemp has been a long-time enthusiast of Lego construction. During her time in Switzerland, she constructed a Beauty and the Beast castle, which she proudly carried as the Lionesses checked out of the hotel before their departure on Monday.
Hemp also encouraged others to join in, with teenager Agyemang participating.
“I was constructing a miniature stadium the other day because I was bored, and suddenly Lucy [Bronze] suggested we could improve it significantly,” Agyemang, a standout performer in the tournament, explained.
“I was unaware of her Lego expertise. We created a replica of the stadium, and now she wants to make it a tradition, so I anticipate we’ll have to do Geneva next time.”
Agyemang remained engaged, even playing a piano brought over by the England kitman in a van.
“I play the piano, bass guitar, and drums. I have a piano in my room and spend considerable time playing and relaxing,” she told BBC Sport.
“It’s a full-size, 88-key piano, but not a grand piano. It’s very important to me. I don’t think a day goes by without playing it because it’s right in front of me.”
“Especially on game days, I probably spend about two hours just playing and enjoying myself.
“With evening games, whether they are six or nine o’clock [kick-offs], there is ample time during the day to relax, and that’s what I do.”
Agyemang’s piano playing has been so impressive that it deterred Williamson, who performed with the BBC Concert Orchestra at Maida Vale Studios in December 2023 while recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
“I brought a portable keyboard but felt discouraged after hearing some of the other girls playing theirs,” Williamson said.
“I felt too far behind, so I left it. There is so much socializing to do that I don’t have time for hobbies. I will pick that up when I get back.”
Meanwhile, defender Esme Morgan encouraged the squad to create basketball trick shots for a social media video during the group stages.
Chloe Kelly informed BBC Sport that Morgan transformed her room into a beauty salon to ensure the Lionesses looked their best on the big stage.
“We enjoy spending time together away from the pitch, which is really nice,” Kelly said.
“Whether that is Esme [Morgan] opening her beauty salon to do lash lifts, or sitting down and watching Love Island.”
“It means when you go onto the pitch, you know you’ve got each other’s backs.”
Wiegman is a meticulous planner who ensures everything is perfect. She brought items reminiscent of home into camps with the Netherlands and used them as motivation. She revealed she did the same before England’s semi-final win over Italy but preferred to keep it a secret.
Wiegman encouraged players to share their stories of reaching the Euros, their footballing journeys, and personal challenges they had faced.
Each player received a journal for note-taking, and Beever-Jones documented each morning’s inspirational quote from the physio.
Kelly admitted to missing three penalties in training the day before scoring the decisive spot-kick in the shootout victory over Spain—but she was in an environment that fostered belief in her abilities.
Lucy Bronze’s niece and nephew were supporting her in Switzerland throughout Euro 2025.
Family members played a vital role, spending time at England’s hotel and traveling across Switzerland to support them at games.
“We have noticed a real shift. Certainly under Sarina [Wiegman], there has been an approach to engage family and friends while understanding our role,” Bronze’s brother, Jorge, said.
“We took Lucy to a play park and gave her a half-eaten cheese sandwich that my four-year-old didn’t finish.
“Everyone is having a slightly different experience, but every player needs their own downtime in their own way. Our job as a family is to give them that bit of normality.
“Whether that’s smashing her at table tennis or Mario Kart, to remind her I am still her older brother, or if it’s just chatting things through. Whatever it is, that is what we are here to do for the players.”
Georgia Stanway’s brother, John Paul, said their discussions were not about football but to provide “calmness.”
Former England midfielder Jill Scott, who retired after winning Euro 2022, emphasized the “importance of families being there.”
“You can get a coffee with your family, but there is no pressure to see them. The families tend to become a family away from the pitch,” Scott said.
“It’s so nice they are having such a great time, like they are on holiday. I think they would rather be out with the other families having a beer than in camp.”
Scott played a key role behind the scenes in Switzerland, keeping friends Williamson and Walsh distracted and offering words of wisdom.
“We can’t get rid of her. I had a couple of conversations this tournament with Jill. She is a funny character and one of the less-serious people,” Williamson said.
“She has so many experiences of her own but also this incredible perspective. She does help us out. When she retired, we were begging for the FA to employ her just to bring her along—so I’m glad that she is here. She is one of the greatest teammates I have ever had.”
Scott said it was the “same job” she had in the squad when she played, but it was clear the camaraderie Wiegman has instilled was even stronger this time around.
The team behind the team was the team behind the dream as England delivered against all odds.
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