Wiegman hoping England gain advantage from extra rest in Euros final
After beating Italy in the first semi-final at Euro 2025, Sarina Wiegman hopes England can benefit from the extra day of rest against Spain.
Sarina Wiegman believes England could benefit from an extra day of rest when they face Spain in the Euro 2025 final on Sunday.
England qualified for the showpiece after defeating Italy 2-1 after extra time on Tuesday, while Spain were forced to play 120 minutes against Germany the following day.
The Lionesses were also taken all the way to penalties by Sweden in the quarter-final stage after facing tough group fixtures against France and the Netherlands.
This will be Wiegman's fifth final from five major tournaments as an international manager, the first time anyone has done this in either the men's or women's game. She has won both Euros finals so far, while losing World Cup finals with the Netherlands and England.
Wiegman is hoping that her side can use the extra rest to their advantage during the match at St. Jakob-Park in Basel.
"We played the first semi-final. We enjoyed an extra day of rest after a very intense group stage, so we really used that extra day off, and hopefully that will help us," said Wiegman.
England left it late in both of their knockout matches, scoring twice in the last 12 minutes to level the score against Sweden before a 96th-minute equaliser from Michelle Agyemang and a 119th-minute winner from Chloe Kelly against Italy.
Both England's quarter-final versus Sweden and semi-final versus Italy at this year's Euros went to extra time, with no nation ever playing three extra-time games in a single tournament. Only three times before has a final required extra time, though one of those instances was the last edition.
Wiegman insisted she has prepared her side for every possible scenario, but hopes it will be a quiet match for goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.
"I'm having a heart attack too. I just don't show it," Wiegman added. "We want to be best prepared. We try to prepare on what can happen in the game and what we need. That is how the squad is built.
"We figured out what we need if we need to change things. We have spoken through all the scenarios, but during the game, it's what you think is necessary. When we want to change, we can do it.
"I hope she [Hannah Hampton] will not be too busy tomorrow. This is her first major tournament where she is the starting goalkeeper, and she has done very well, I think."
