- Arsenal beat Barcelona to become first English club in 18 years to rule Europe
- Bronze believes Champions League glory will give confidence to national team
- England face Spain on Tuesday in penultimate game before defence of Euros
Arsenal’s historic Champions League triumph in Lisbon is more than just club success — it’s a major boost for England ahead of this summer’s Euros, according to Lionesses star Lucy Bronze.
The Gunners ended an 18-year wait for English dominance in Europe with a 1-0 win over Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League final just over a week ago.
And crucially, the squad featured five England regulars in Leah Williamson, Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Beth Mead — with Mead assisting Stina Blackstenius for the winning goal.
Bronze, who has lifted the trophy five times herself — three with Lyon and twice with Barcelona — believes the impact of that win stretches far beyond club level.
‘The more players that we have that are used to that winning feeling, the experience, going up against the best players in the world — because that’s what you do in the Champions League as well — it’s fantastic for England.
‘It’s something that I’ve always said, years and years ago, a long time when I first went to Lyon, that was what I wanted to do: test myself against the best players, win the Champions League, bring that experience to England.
Lucy Bronze, a five-time Champions League winner, knows the impact of European success
Arsenal’s win over 1-0 Barcelona ended an 18-year wait for English dominance in Europe
Arsenal stars (from left) Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead and Alessia Russo look in good spirits as they train with England ahead of Tuesday’s clash against world champions Spain in Barcelona
‘And you see as the years go on, and more and more players have done it, Alex (Scott), Nikita (Parris), Izzy Christiansen, Jodie Taylor, Keira (Walsh), and then now we’ve got all the Arsenal girls as well.
‘It’s just fantastic for us as an England team and us as a country, to have so many more players who are doing great things and achieving great things.’
Meanwhile England head coach Sarina Wiegman has revealed she is ‘close’ to finalising her 23-player squad for the European Championship and gave fans a reason to smile with her injury news.
‘Everyone is available and everyone can start,’ said Wiegman with a smile on her face after what has been a difficult past few months with so many of her biggest names touch and go for the upcoming major tournament.
This includes Ella Toone and Alessia Russo, who missed the 6-0 thumping of Portugal due to respective calf injuries, but are now back in full training.
Georgia Stanway made her long-awaited return to action, featuring in the final 15 minutes after six months out, while Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood also logged minutes after a lengthy period away, leaving only Lauren James an ongoing fitness doubt.
‘It is really good (Toone is back), but also for Alessia (Russo) that she’s back.
‘So we have decisions to make, and that’s very nice.’
Chloe Kelly (right) takes on Missy Bo Kearns at the session at St George’s Park
England boss Sarina Wiegman has reason for cheer ahead of her squad announcement
England face world champions Spain in their penultimate game before the Euros on Tuesday, and three days from Wiegman’s squad announcement.
As to how many decisions she has left, Wiegman said: ‘We are pretty close. Of course, I still want to go through to the game tomorrow and then make the final decisions, but we’re pretty close.’
