England are competing in their ninth European Championship this summer, and are hosting the tournament for the first time since 2005.

The two-time Euros runners-up are in a pretty different place in comparison to their last major tournament, the 2019 World Cup. The Lionesses have reigning European champion Sarina Wiegman at the helm, and a cluster of exciting youngsters are beginning to establish themselves as the team’s new core.

Here’s everything you need to know about England heading into Euro 2022.

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England qualified automatically as hosts for Euro 2022, having successfully bid for the tournament in 2018. The Lionesses have not lost in over a year, with their last defeat coming against Olympic champions elect Canada in April 2021.

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England are two-time European Championship runners-up, having been beaten finalists in 1984 and 2009. The Lionesses most recently reached the semi-finals at Euro 2017, but were eliminated by eventual winners the Netherlands.

Euro 1984: Runners-up
Euro 1987: Fourth place
Euro 1989: Did not qualify
Euro 1991: Did not qualify
Euro 1993: Did not qualify
Euro 1995: Semi-finals
Euro 1997: Did not qualify
Euro 2001: Group stages
Euro 2005: Group stages
Euro 2009: Runners-up
Euro 2013: Group stages
Euro 2017: Semi-finals

On the global stage, the Lionesses have never reached the World Cup final, but have been beaten semi-finalists on two occasions.

1991 World Cup: Did not qualify
1995 World Cup: Quarter-finals
1999 World Cup: Did not qualify
2003 World Cup: Did not qualify
2007 World Cup: Quarter-finals
2011 World Cup: Quarter-finals
2015 World Cup: Third place
2019 World Cup: Fourth place

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Since forcing herself into the Lionesses‘ starting XI at the 2020 SheBelieves Cup, Lauren Hemp has consistently been England’s star performer. She has mirrored this with her displays for club side Manchester City, and was recently named the PFA Young Player of the Season for an unprecedented fourth time.

Blessed with a fearlessness in keeping with the fact she is just 21 years old, and a remarkable consistency of someone ten years her senior, the left-winger’s pace, trickery and trademark slalom runs will likely be a common sight throughout the tournament. Hemp also added a ruthless streak in front of goal to her game during the latter stages of the season, just in case she wasn’t enough of a nightmare to defend against.

Ella Toone has shone for both club and country during the 2021/22 season, chipping in with a combined 16 goals and 12 assists in 30 appearances for Manchester United in the WSL and England in World Cup qualifying. With an eye for goal and a trademark defence splitting pass in her locker, she is a unique midfield option for the Lionesses.

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England have been managed by Sarina Wiegman since September 2021 – and she may have a touch of deja vu heading into Euro 2022. The former Netherlands manager guided her country to European Championship glory on home soil at Euro 2017, having only officially taken the hot seat in the January of that year.

Prior to moving into management, Wiegman enjoyed a successful playing career, featuring for the illustrious North Carolina Taar Heels during her time at college and going on to earn 99 caps for the Netherlands. She worked as a PE teacher throughout her playing career, before moving into management with former side Ter Leede in 2006. The 52-year-old is currently unbeaten during her England tenure.

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England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was born severely cross eyed and aged 12 was diagnosed with depth perception problem. She was informed that she shouldn’t be competing in amateur football due to the issue. By the age of 18 she was Birmingham’s first-choice goalkeeper in the WSL, and by the age of 21 she had made her senior England debut.

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England vs Austria

Date & time: Wednesday 6 July, 20:00 (BST)
Venue: Old Trafford
How to watch on TV: BBC One (UK)

England vs Norway

Date & time: Monday 11 July, 20:00 (BST)
Venue: Amex Stadium
How to watch on TV: BBC One (UK)

England vs Northern Ireland

Date & time: Friday 15 July, 20:00 (BST)
Venue: St Mary’s
How to watch on TV: BBC One (UK)

As hosts and one of the pre-tournament favourites, England will be expected to top their group. However, this will be no mean feat, and they will face particularly stern competition from dark horses Norway.

Should England finish top of Group A, another tough test will await in the quarter-finals in the shape of the runner-up from Euro 2022’s group of death, Group B. This will likely be Germany, Spain or Denmark. Victory would see the Lionesses one win away from the final – and standing in their way would most likely be winner of Group C. This will presumably be either Olympic silver medalists Sweden or reigning European champions the Netherlands.

Should England finish second in their group, whoever tops Group B will meet them in the quarter-finals – likely either Spain or Germany. Victory would earn the Lionesses a semi-final encounter with either the Group C runner-up or Group D winner – likely either Sweden, the Netherlands, France, Italy or Iceland.

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Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Man Utd), Hannah Hampton (Aston Villa), Ellie Roebuck (Man City).

Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Alex Greenwood (Man City), Demi Stokes (Man City), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal).

Midfielders: Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Jill Scott (Free agent), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Man Utd), Keira Walsh (Man City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal).

Forwards: Beth England (Chelsea), Lauren Hemp (Man City), Chloe Kelly (Man City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Man Utd), Ellen White (Man City).

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Semi-final heartache again and tears in BOXPARKs across London as Sweet Caroline blares sadly from the speakers.

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