More

England winger Lauren Hemp: Winning run to European title is not luck

Lauren Hemp celebrates after winning Euro 2025
Lauren Hemp celebrates after winning Euro 2025FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP

England winger Lauren Hemp said the Lionesses' chaotic run to the European title was "not luck" after beating Spain on penalties in the final.

England beat Sweden on penalties in the quarter-final and Italy after extra-time in the semi-final before overcoming Spain after 120 minutes in the final.

"This group is so special, the courage and determination we have shown is not luck, it doesn't happen once or twice," she told reporters.

"When it happens three times in a row, it's not luck. It's pure determination on the part of this group, we're all exhausted and we deserve moments like this."

Asked what she felt when Chloe Kelly converted the decisive spot-kick, Hemp said: "Pure joy. I was speechless. I couldn't believe it.

"We deserve to win all the time. It's incredible that it didn't just happen once, but twice, and that the title stays with us. Let's hope it continues for a long time."

Hemp described the atmosphere created by the England fans, who were the majority inside the Parc Saint-Jacques in Basel, as "incredible."

"Every time we went towards the goal, we could hear the crowd," she said. "The atmosphere was so loud that I couldn't even hear my team-mates next to me!"

"We hope we've made all the England fans proud, and we know the support back home has been incredible."