Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman admitted her “orange heart hurt” after England dumped her native Netherlands out of Euro 2024.
Gareth Southgate’s side beat the Dutch in the semi-finals on Wednesday night to book a place in Sunday’s final in Berlin.
Wiegman, who herself led the Lionesses to Euros glory in 2022, wished Southgate good luck and hopes the men’s side can replicate the Lionesses.
But she also admitted a tinge of sadness and watching the Netherlands being knocked out by a 90th-minute winner from Ollie Watkins.
“You want a political answer?” Wiegman said, when asked for her reaction. “No, I have to be really honest, and of course wish the very, very best for Gareth and his team and so many people, because we are colleagues.
“But it did hurt, a little bit. My orange heart hurt.
“They know exactly what they have to do. It is their second [Euros] final, which is incredible.
“I just wish them all the best and in England you would say: ‘Let’s bring it home’.
“We all know that football worldwide is the biggest sport. In England it’s on a different level [which I saw] since I came in and worked here.
“It’s so deep in society and the people support it so much. It’s incredible. I never, ever take it for granted. I think the whole country should be very proud of what the England men do.
“It’s not easy - that’s what we’ve seen too. It’s good to be English at the moment.”
