The Lionesses now face Sweden in Zurich on Thursday after blowing the Welsh away in St Gallen with a final score of 6-1 – England fans have been celebrating the win throught the night
England have romped into the Euro finals after smashing through the Red Wall and slaying the Welsh dragons.
The fierce Lionesses had already buried four goals before the half time whistle, but the final score sheet was a 6-1 thrashing. And as France served up a third and final thrashing against the Netherlands, Les Bleus finished top of the group with nine points.
It means England finish the group stage as runners up and will face Sweden in Zurich on Thursday. Wales were met with a standing ovation following a moving rendition of their national anthem with the players seen belting it out from the pitch.
Despite the result, the Welsh women will go home heroes and history makers, having been the first ever female side to represent the country at a major tournament. As they gathered in the streets of St Gallen, famed for its 9th century cathedral, Wales fans were hoping to chalk up a new tale for the history books.
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But the defiant Lionesses won the Battle of Britain in front of a sell-out crowd at the St Gallen arena and the English party carried on into the night. Sharon Rogalski, 73, from Peterborough told the Mirror: “I might have a gin and tonic or two! Tonight we have proven that we are just as passionate and loud as the Welsh.
“They [Wales] got here and that’s the main thing, we have all just been enjoying being here together. The cities here in Switzerland are lovely, everyone has been so friendly and the atmosphere has been amazing.”
Jeannette Bowden, 66, from Newcastle credited the win to her ‘good luck charm’ – a crocheted doll of Lucy Bronze. She said: “My sister in law made little Lucy for me and she’s been our good luck charm. She’s very sentimental to me as my sister in law isn’t very well. But tonight has been amazing, it’s been incredible to watch them play so far and it’s just great to win another one tonight.”
Before the bout fans in red and white jerseys soaked up the sun side by side – with some families and couples even split by allegiance. As the clocktower bell chimed through the streets, so did the drums of the barmy army who were singing Sweet Caroline before even leaving the bars of the market square.
In the stands the chants were deafening as England fans sought to drown out the cries of Red Wall who sang Yma O Hyd and Calon Lan.
Jess Cully, 54, from Portsmouth said: “Wales have brought magnificent support out here. I take my hat off to their fans, but we turned out a full repertoire. Now this is when the tournament really starts for England, but I’m going to celebrate this win with my friends and have a few sherbets tonight before the next game.”
For couple Amber McGrath, 27, and Elin Price, 28, this Women’s Euros tournament is a trip that they will never forget. Just days ago the pair got engaged in the charming Swiss village of Grindelwald.
But the pair, who have been together for nine years, still insist on proudly wearing the jerseys of their home nations. Born in Gorslas, Llanelli , Elin said of the Welsh defeat: “We knew we would both be there to console each other no matter what the score was tonight.
“But just playing in the Euros is such an incredible achievement for Wales. Just to be here among the atmosphere, we have put our hand up to say ‘we can play and we do matter’. We are an inspiration to the next generation. The only way is up from here.”
Asked if she’ll join the English celebrations alongside Portsmouth-born Amber, Elin said: “I’m always there for a party as long as there’s a beer about. It’ll be a beer of celebration for one of us and a beer of consolation for the other.”
Dad, Steve Harper, who was born in England but now lives in Wales had cut his Wales and England tops in half, and then sewed them together. Steve, 44, from Cardigan Bay, Wales told the Mirror: “I have English parents but we live in Wales and our daughter is Welsh so I decided to support both. I hadn’t sewn anything since school but I bought a second hand machine from eBay and a couple of shirts. It only took me a few hours.”
Joined by his partner Kelly Wilkinson, and daughter Emily Harper, 14, both wearing Wales shirts, Steve said: “Everything about this game is historic. The atmosphere is amazing, I probably couldn’t get away with wearing this at a men’s tournament so it’s been brilliant and everyone’s had a laugh.”