Published 24 July 2022 7 min read
England Women's Senior Team
Ella Toone: ‘We just want to make everyone proud and inspire the next generation’
Lionesses star looks ahead to Tuesday's EUROs semi-final and discusses the amazing support from the England fans
England’s Ella Toone is relishing the UEFA Women's EURO 2022 semi-final in Sheffield on Tuesday, when she hopes more Lionesses glory will be shared with a sold-out crowd at Bramall Lane.
For those not lucky enough to be in the Steel City on the night, there will be up to 5,000 fans in Trafalgar Square for a live screening in London, while there are other public screenings across the country.
Giant screens in central London will show England's last-four encounter, with free access for up to 5,000 fans, as well as millions watching from homes and pubs up and down the country.
“We’re so grateful for the fans that support us, whether that’s in the stadium or at home and we just want to keep making them proud,” said Toone.
“Hopefully we see everyone’s beers flying around and that they’re enjoying the game.
“We just want to make everyone proud. That’s the main thing: inspiring the next generation.
“Hopefully we can go on and put in another big performance in the semis.”
For those not lucky enough to be in the Steel City on the night, there will be up to 5,000 fans in Trafalgar Square for a live screening in London, while there are other public screenings across the country.
Giant screens in central London will show England's last-four encounter, with free access for up to 5,000 fans, as well as millions watching from homes and pubs up and down the country.
“We’re so grateful for the fans that support us, whether that’s in the stadium or at home and we just want to keep making them proud,” said Toone.
“Hopefully we see everyone’s beers flying around and that they’re enjoying the game.
“We just want to make everyone proud. That’s the main thing: inspiring the next generation.
“Hopefully we can go on and put in another big performance in the semis.”
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3:21
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Toone scored the all-important equaliser in the quarter-final when the Lionesses came from behind to defeat Spain 2-1 after extra time, securing their place in the final four.
The midfielder's 84th-minute volley saved England's night in Brighton before Georgia Stanway’s extra-time winner and the Manchester United ace described the moment as “probably the best I’ve ever had in football”.
"For all of us it would be amazing to get that win in the semi-final," added the 22-year-old, who has now scored 12 goals in just 19 senior internationals.
“[The quarter-final] was really special in front of that crowd and every game we’ve played has been amazing, the atmospheres have been unbelievable.”
The midfielder's 84th-minute volley saved England's night in Brighton before Georgia Stanway’s extra-time winner and the Manchester United ace described the moment as “probably the best I’ve ever had in football”.
"For all of us it would be amazing to get that win in the semi-final," added the 22-year-old, who has now scored 12 goals in just 19 senior internationals.
“[The quarter-final] was really special in front of that crowd and every game we’ve played has been amazing, the atmospheres have been unbelievable.”
After the highs of Wednesday’s victory, both on and off the pitch, the Lionesses quickly turned their focus to Tuesday’s game.
But Toone admits they made sure they enjoyed their moment and post-match celebrations to the full.
"Rach Daly loves a bit of Celine Dion so we had a bit of that on and then a bit of ABBA came on and that was mine, so I just took to the dancefloor," revealed Toone.
“Everyone enjoyed it, and everyone got involved since it was a special night that everyone will remember for a long time."
Nikita Gomes Henschl is a Football Journalism student at the University of Derby covering EURO 2022.
But Toone admits they made sure they enjoyed their moment and post-match celebrations to the full.
"Rach Daly loves a bit of Celine Dion so we had a bit of that on and then a bit of ABBA came on and that was mine, so I just took to the dancefloor," revealed Toone.
“Everyone enjoyed it, and everyone got involved since it was a special night that everyone will remember for a long time."
Nikita Gomes Henschl is a Football Journalism student at the University of Derby covering EURO 2022.
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