Sarina Wiegman’s team playing disjointedly, yet rescued by moments of inspiration and fortune. It is why “Proper England”, to use the Lionesses’ Euro 2025 mission statement, wins record audiences, an expected worldwide audience of 46 million dragged through Sunday night drama, putting Poldark and Mr Darcy to shame.
Across the BBC and ITV, Euro 2025 coverage has not been nearly so happy-clappy as the BBC’s Team GB-Beebies, sub-Henman Hill Olympics cheerleading. Perhaps the cruelty of football as a game precludes that. Once the game is afoot, there are few hiding places. Still, there has been a cheeriness to both channels’ female lead presenters – Laura Woods for ITV, Gabby Logan for BBC – so rarely seen in the male equivalent.
