Sarina Wiegman explained losing her composure at the final whistle after a stunning Georgia Stanway strike shattered Spanish hearts and sent England to the Women's Euro 2022 semi-finals with a 2-1 win.
The Dutch coach is renowned for being a meticulous planner, rarely letting her emotions get the better of her, but even the unshakeable 52-year-old couldn’t help letting loose at the end of extra time.
Wiegman also gave all the credit to her team and the support from a record 28,994 fans inside the Amex, after a ‘crazy day’ in which she was only cleared to attend three hours before kick-off.
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A negative Covid-19 test ensured she was there to witness substitute Ella Toone equalise in the 84th minute and her team pull ahead in extra-time courtesy of Stanway’s long range screamer.
The Lionesses clung on to their slender advantage, prompting wild celebrations at full time from Wiegman, who was spotted fist-pumping, hugging her players and shouting ‘come on’ down a TV camera.
She explained: “I think I went a little crazy. I was so happy. Of course I’m a human being too. You try to stay calm but this was so close and such a game. It could go both ways.
“For me personally it was a crazy day. Of course it was a very exciting day because we had this game. It’s all about the game and all about the team but I was still waiting on this last little negative test
“This morning I was actually ready to go and I still had to wait. So in the end finally in the afternoon I could go. I’m so happy that I’m here.”
Wiegman refused to lavish praise on any player individually or accept it herself, reserving her plaudits for the team performance and the unwavering home support.
She said: “I think we should most of all talk about this team performance. I think as a team we did so well. Yes, [Stanway] scored an incredible goal.
“But I think as a team, how we performed, how we got back from conceding a goal and how we forced to score the second I think it showed so much cohesion in the team.
“It starts with the quality of the players. We have so much quality in our team that it’s easier to make a substitution and know that the players make a difference. I wouldn’t put that on my name. That’s the quality of the players.
“For the fans in the stadium and people watching on TV I think it was an incredible game and also the fans in the stadium they were so behind us, it was really incredible to experience.
“What the fans did for us was really a home advantage and I think it really helped the players.”
And Wiegman, who won the Euros with the Netherlands on home soil in 2017, knows that England’s strength in depth will be crucial if she is to repeat the feat.
She said: “In every game the subs had an influence. It shows the depth in our team, I say it all the time, and the eagerness of every player to come in or to start.
“But everyone is all the time on the same page. We’re all supportive, everyone knows their role, everyone knows their task.”
Tickets are on sale now for fans to experience a history-making tournament that aims to unite football and communities and amplify the growth of the women’s game. www.uefa.com/womenseuro/ticketing
