The Support System: England Players’ Families and Friends Unite
England’s Euro 2025 campaign has been a rollercoaster for fans.
Let’s consider the experiences of the Lionesses’ families and friends in Switzerland.
They’ve been steadfast, attending five matches over three weeks, celebrating goals, enduring tense moments, and watching penalties with bated breath.
Ahead of the final against Spain, we share heartfelt messages and Swiss anecdotes from the players’ loved ones as they rally behind the team in Basel.
Women’s Euros: Lionesses – the team behind the team
Ella Toone is currently England’s joint-top scorer at Euro 2025 with two goals, alongside Michelle Agyemang, Lauren James and Georgia Stanway
Euro 2025 has been particularly poignant for England’s Ella Toone and Beth Mead.
It marks their first major tournament since the loss of a parent; Mead’s mother, June, passed away from ovarian cancer in January 2023, and Toone’s father, Nick, died of prostate cancer in September 2024.
“We were just talking about him the other day as a family,” Toone’s boyfriend, Joe Bunney, told BBC Sport. “Nick would have absolutely loved this.”
“The inspiration Nick provided to support Ella was immense. Hopefully, they can take that final step and win the Euros for him. He’s watching over her with every goal and every game.”
“It’s incredibly important for Ella to have a strong support system, including Beth Mead. They’re experiencing similar grief, and it’s comforting for them to have each other. They’ve shown remarkable strength in navigating their personal challenges during the football season and the Euros.”
Throughout Euro 2025, the Lionesses’ families and friends have forged strong bonds, particularly while celebrating England’s dramatic late goals.
“It was a blur,” Bunney said, recalling Michelle Agyemang’s 96th-minute quarter-final equaliser against Italy. “Michelle’s family was in front of me. The energy was incredible.”
“I started in row seven but ended up in row three. I spoke with Michelle’s family about how proud they must be. It reminded me of 2022 when Alessia [Russo] and Ella were making such an impact. It’s a huge moment for Michelle, and her family is wonderful.”
Joe’s message to Ella: “You know how inspirational you are. I know your dad is looking down and is proud of you, and we all are. Go bring that trophy home.”
England goalscorers Mead and Toone united by grief
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Lucy Bronze’s niece and nephew served as mascots for England’s pre-Euro 2025 friendly against Jamaica
Euro 2025 marks Lucy Bronze’s seventh major tournament appearance for England.
She has been instrumental for the Lionesses in Switzerland with her strong defensive performances and crucial 79th-minute goal against Sweden, which forced extra time, before converting a brilliant penalty in the shootout.
“This tournament has been quite the experience,” Bronze’s brother, Jorge, told BBC Sport.
“People keep asking if I’m having a good time, and I say, ‘no!’ It’s been trauma after trauma. It’s been brilliant, exhausting, emotional, thrilling—everything in between.”
Among the Bronze family in Switzerland are Jorge’s two young children.
“Lucy adores my five-year-old and four-year-old, and she loves playing silly games with them,” he said.
“After the Italy game, it was 1 a.m., and they were playing hide-and-seek with Auntie Lucy at the stadium after an intense match.”
Jorge noted that under Wiegman, players’ families and friends have become integral to England’s success.
“We’ve noticed a real shift,” Jorge said. “Under Sarina, there’s a deliberate effort to engage family and friends while ensuring we understand our role.”
“We took Lucy to a park, and she ate a half-eaten cheese sandwich that my four-year-old didn’t finish. Everyone’s experience is different, but every player needs downtime. Our job is to provide that normalcy.”
“Whether it’s beating her at table tennis or Mario Kart to remind her I’m still her older brother, or just talking things through, we’re here to support the players.”
Jorge’s message to Lucy: “Lucy, you know what it takes to get here. You’re a born winner. You’re already the most decorated English footballer ever. Go make that a definitive statement on Sunday and bring it home.”
Lucy Bronze – the making of England’s most decorated player
Alessia Russo has contributed one goal and three assists at Euro 2025
Alessia Russo’s brother, Giorgio, missed England’s first two Euro 2025 group games due to his appearance on Love Island.
He traded Spain for Switzerland, arriving in time for the tense quarter-final win over Sweden in Zurich.
“She’s my best friend, and we discuss everything outside football,” Giorgio said. “She was the first person I told about Love Island. We have a great friendship, which helps her unwind.”
Giorgio’s Euro 2025 experience has been a rollercoaster. Having missed the decisive wins over the Netherlands and Wales, the two games he attended were a tense penalty shootout quarter-final and a dramatic extra-time semi-final victory.
“It’s been challenging. I’m not used to this as a fan,” Giorgio said. “The group stage was shaky, and the knockout stages have been tough, but the elation at the end makes it worthwhile.”
“It’s a different emotion when it’s a family member; you feel it from their perspective. During the penalty shootout against Sweden, my mum, Ella’s mum, and Leah [Williamson]’s mum couldn’t watch. Leah’s mum is so funny; she seems to be in pain during the games.”
“It’s a tense environment. The girls can feel it, and when there’s a goal or when we win, the celebrations are absolutely crazy. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, though.”
Giorgio’s message to Alessia: “Keep doing what you’re doing; you make us proud every day, and I love you.”
Euro 2025 final: England v Spain
Sunday, 27 July at 17:00 BST
St Jakob-Park, Basel
Watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, listen on BBC Radio 5 Live, 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, follow live text on BBC Sport website and app
Georgia Stanway scored against the Netherlands and Wales
Described by Giorgio as one half of the “fun police” with Joe Bunney, Georgia Stanway’s brother, John-Paul, helps organise gatherings for the players’ friends and families.
Even a casual family dinner can turn into a team outing, and JP said news of a meal after England’s semi-final win spread quickly.
“We went for Chinese food the day after the Geneva game,” he said. “A few of the team heard about it, so the Toones, the Walshes, and Jill Scott joined us.”
“We didn’t talk much about football, just focused on calmness, discussing tickets for the final and the game a bit. Our job was to take her mind off it and provide normalcy. We tried to keep it normal and real.”
JP’s message to Georgia: “Thank you for the memories. Back-to-back-to-back finals. I’m not so thankful for the heart attacks you’ve given us the past few games.”
“I’m so proud of you, the team, and the staff. Hopefully, we can continue making these memories. Good luck.”
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