Mary Earps reflects on her England memories

Mary Earps regularly breaks into a broad smile as she chats about her favourite memories in an England shirt – and top of the list is that famous summer’s day at Wembley in 2022, when the Lionesses beat Germany 2-1 to win the UEFA EUROs – their first major senior trophy.

England won all six games at the tournament, keeping four clean sheets. And whenever England came under the cosh, Earps was on hand to save the day.

There was the full-length dive to keep out Barbara Dunst’s shot in the opening 1-0 victory against Austria at Old Trafford; the acrobatic save to claw away a mis-hit cross from Athenea del Castillo which would have put Spain 2-0 up in the quarter-final at Brighton; and the fingertips save onto the woodwork from Lina Magull’s strike in the final.

But her favourite save of the tournament came in the 4-0 semi-final win against Sweden at Bramall Lane, when England were 2-0 up but coming under pressure: “It came up off Stina Blackstenius’ knee, so it was quite unconventional and I just tipped it over the bar.

“It’s weird though, I don’t really think about the saves during the tournament,” she explained, in an exclusive interview with the official match programme.

“I think about Rach (Rachel Daly) with her cowboy hat on after the Sweden game, and us dancing in the changing room to Abba after the Spain game. They’re the most special sorts of moments.

“But the whole tournament was special because it was on home soil and we won. And of course, the final was special, just the thrill… walking out with Leah in front of me and Millie behind me, and the trophy lift. I felt really confident in the team we had, it was such a special bond, a blend of youth and experience – I feel like I could talk about it all day!”

After progressing through the England youth teams, and three years after her first call-up, Earps, then 24, made her senior debut as a late substitute in a 4-0 win in Switzerland in June 2017.

She was the fourth goalkeeper in manager Mark Sampson’s squad and admits: “I did not expect to be making my debut! I remember getting on and thinking, ‘just don’t mess this up! Do the simple things, do the basics well’.

“There’s a picture of me running on the pitch and my dad always said it was like I’d been given the keys to the chocolate factory. I looked so happy.”

Nottingham-born Earps (legacy #198) played 53 times for England, with 26 clean sheets.

Among her individual accolades were the Golden Glove Award for the best goalkeeper at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, and she was named Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper in 2022 and 2023.

Earps, now with Paris Saint-Germain, has been an inspiration to girls and boys across the country: “I had this whole mantra that I’ve been trying – and still am trying – to make goalkeeping cool. I feel like it’s opened doors for future goalkeepers.

"For me, that’s the proudest thing.”

You can read the full interview, and more of Mary's memories, in the official match programme for England's game with Spain. Order a copy now.