EXCLUSIVE: Lucy Ward discusses England's journey to the EURO final and Leeds' prospects of survival

It was a moment of sheer relief for the former forward turned broadcaster, which ITV shared with the world after the Lionesses finally overcame Italy to reach the final, once again demonstrating their resilience.

"I forgot that the camera was there because we were so engrossed in the game!" Ward tells Flashscore, clearly still glowing from Tuesday's thrilling semi-final.

"I needed to set up the GoPro, and then you realize, 'Oh, I just need to be careful not to curse off the mic or anything like that.'

"But I genuinely thought the game was lost. I truly believed there was no hope left. Even while watching Sweden, I was thinking, 'Yeah, we might have a chance'. (Against Italy) I just thought, 'This isn't going to happen'.

"So I believe that reaction was probably everyone's reaction. The corner hitting the side netting, the disappointment, not much time left. You can see from the reactions how much that moment meant."

The rise of social media in football and sports in general has provided fans with a deeper connection to the teams and players they admire, showcasing raw emotions during remarkable moments.

For Ward, despite rising to commentate on the grandest stages - both in men's and women's football - it hasn't always been a source of positivity.

"It is quite challenging," Ward admits when asked about handling online criticism.

"I use Twitter, X quite frequently for my research, and I follow many insightful individuals who share valuable thoughts. But like everything, there's always a negative side, and I tend to mute people.

"Anyone who says something negative, you simply don't need that. You don't need that in your life. And I advise that to anyone, not just those in the public eye.

"So that's quite beneficial because if you block them, they realize you've seen it, but if you mute them, they just keep talking to themselves. I'm sure some people have my tweets on notifications because they don't care about me, or they think I'm terrible, yet they're the first to respond to anything I say.

"But you get accustomed to it, and it's quite sad to admit that I've become used to it. I believe I've spent my life as a woman in what has traditionally been viewed as a man's world.

"I think social media makes it easier for people to intrude into your life. Therefore, you have to limit that as much as possible, and it's mostly men who, when I observe them, appear to have never kicked a ball straight in their life.

"But you can't dwell on such thoughts, and I don't really when I'm commentating on games. I focus on my job. You naturally switch to professional mode."

'Resilient' Lionesses

Having thick skin has also been a recurring theme for England throughout EURO 2025, with Sarina Wiegman and her team facing challenges even before the tournament began inSwitzerland.

The England manager had to navigate the unexpected retirements of goalkeeper Mary Earps and midfielder Fran Kirby, while World Cup captain Millie Bright withdrew - all prior to the squad announcement.

Then, they faced a sobering defeat against France in their opening group match before needing to rally late in both knockout matches against Sweden and Italy.

"I'm impressed with many aspects of the Lionesses and always have been," Ward says regarding England's tournament performance.

"I think this version of the Lionesses - they're confident in their identity as reigning champions. It instills belief in them.

"And I believe the younger players coming into the squad, through osmosis, absorb that confidence because they play alongside those who have experienced success. I'm not just referring to international play; I'm talking about club achievements.

"You've got winners all around at club level competing in high-pressure matches. I think they possess the confidence that even when they're not performing at their best, they still believe they can win. That's their mindset.

"You can see it; otherwise, we wouldn't have witnessed the performances we've seen against Sweden and Italy. (I have been) quite impressed with their resilience and their ability to find a way to win."

READ MORE: Our preview of England vs Spain in the EURO final

Regarding the 'younger players' mentioned earlier, the previously noted Agyemang has emerged in the spotlight despite having only a few months of experience on the senior international stage.

With England trailing against Sweden and Italy, Wiegman turned to the 19-year-old for a spark off the bench to save the Lionesses' campaign.

A spark was ignited as the Arsenal forward scored crucial equalisers in both matches, and Ward suggests Agyemang's relative anonymity served as an advantage for England.

"For those who aren't following the WSL or haven't seen their team play against others, I believe she appears as a genuine wild card. For other teams in the tournament, they likely have no real awareness of her.

"In terms of scouting, they might have watched her, but at the very beginning when she entered the pitch and in earlier matches, I think she was a complete unknown. (The way) she looks, communicates, and performs on the field, shows high football intelligence and great awareness.

"It's easy to label her as raw, but even in the games I've observed, I think she has improved in her overall play. I recall the first time she came on, she might have given the ball away or had a poor touch, but that didn't happen against Italy.

"I think Sarina (Wiegman) mentioned in one of her interviews about incorporating elements into Michelle's game by providing her with small tips, and she readily absorbs that information. That's the hallmark of a good player. They don't need to be told twice what you want them to execute technically.

"She could have easily been erratic with the last two goals she scored. The second one (against Italy) had significant power, yet she maintained composure, which stood out to me.

"What an absolute revelation. You could argue she made her mark on the international stage before her club career took off."

Stay the course

On paper, Agyemang's significant impact, combined with the quality and experience of Chloe Kelly and Beth Mead, could present Wiegman with a selection dilemma against Spain on Sunday.

However, Ward believes the decision is simply about maintaining a successful formula and making adjustments only when necessary, with Lauren James' fitness being the primary concern at this time.

"I think Sarina makes as few changes as possible regarding fitness," she states with confidence.

"That's not just my opinion; it's a fact about Sarina Wiegman, and you can't dispute her accomplishments! She strives to keep things consistent as much as possible.

"We might argue that substitutions could have been made earlier, but again, there's absolutely no argument because it's been effective. Therefore, unless she has to replace Lauren James, for example, I don't believe she will.

"I think Agyemang will definitely not start. I believe she'll be utilized similarly to howAlessia Russo

was in EURO 2022.

READ MORE: Agyemang leads youthful charge for England at Women's Euro 2025

Spain will pose the most significant challenge for the Lionesses, but that's something they are undoubtedly aware of.

La Roja has been the clear team to beat, and they will feel they have the advantage after defeating England in the 2023 World Cup final.

Additionally, the formidable Barcelona trio of Aitana Bonmati, Alexia Putellas and Patri Guijarro in midfield would send chills down the spine of any team.

However, England might have a hidden advantage in the form of Keira Walsh, who spent two-and-a-half seasons at Barcelona, potentially providing insights on how they could be exploited.

"She played there, she knows those players, that trio of Barcelona midfielders intimately," Ward explains. "But I do believe this England team, as a whole, is very familiar with Spain.

"I think there's a rivalry that hasn't existed before. It's likely the rivalry between the two best teams in Europe and probably the world at this moment. But it's all about disrupting their rhythm, as they're exceptional.

"I think the player of the tournament so far has been either Guijarro or Putellas from Spain, simply due to their consistency.

"Bonmati, Putellas, and Guijarro aim to retain possession and move fluidly, maintaining positional awareness in relation to each other, skills they've honed over the years. Their movement and understanding of one another is unparalleled in football.

"I believe England has the ability to replicate what Switzerland and Germany did against them, which is to frustrate them and physically close the gap.

"But I think Keira Walsh would probably say, 'I don't need to inform this group about these players.' However, it might involve sharing insights about their preferred positions and movements at different times."

Two years is a long time in football, but that solitary Olga Carmona goal will remain fresh in the minds of the England squad as they head into the Basel finale.

Spain has continued their evolution into a possession-oriented team, and Ward believes England must prioritize ball retention; otherwise, they will face severe consequences.

"I think it's crucial to understand the value of possessing the ball and managing that possession, as you often don't have it for long against Spain. Many teams struggle with this.

"They found it challenging to assert themselves in possession, often being reactive and suffering when they lost the ball, leading to the goal when Lucy Bronze came across and lost it.

"Once you're out of shape, that's it. Spain excels at exploiting spaces. 'If she's there, it means she's not here, so let's capitalize on that.' It's not easy, but it's straightforward.

"They need better rotations, ensuring they occupy space and exhibit more confidence with the ball. I believe (England) lacked the belief that I'm discussing, which they now possess in this final.

"Since then, the players have participated in tighter, higher-pressure matches for both club and country, and I think the Nations League has contributed to that. They compete against strong (teams).

"I believe they are now sharper tactically as well. While they haven't demonstrated it as much in this tournament, they are more composed in possession. When they defeated Spain at Wembley (in the Nations League), we witnessed that, and their mentality is absolutely exceptional."

Follow the Women's EURO 2025 final with Flashscore. 

'Leaps and bounds'

Interest in England's journey to the final has surged throughout the tournament, with their semi-final victory over Italy achieving record viewing figures in the UK.

A peak audience of 10.2 million tuned in to witness Chloe Kelly convert a penalty rebound in the dying moments of extra time, with significant popularity among adults and those aged 16-34.

The evolution of the women's game has continued to accelerate, and Ward believes the landscape of the sport is "night and day" compared to her playing days.

"Massively," she responds when asked about the sport's expansion. "When I played, there was even a generation before me that attempted to play when it was banned.

"I think this England squad recognizes that - they stand on the shoulders of those who endured challenging times.

"People thought I was strange! In my area, I was known as the girl who played football... There were probably only a couple of other girls playing, and they quit when they reached secondary school.

"So, the difference between then and now is monumental. I believe the influx of money (is beneficial). The WSL is likely one of the best leagues. We're among the top two globally. International players aspire to come and play here. The growth has been remarkable."

And as with all institutions, there remains room for improvement, with Ward emphasizing the necessity of focusing on grassroots development - the foundation of a robust football framework.

"There are areas for enhancement, and I think the FA is striving to address that. This new company stepping in to lead was essential. It required something to elevate it to the next level, allowing the FA to concentrate on grassroots, which is crucial.

"I read an article stating that the Spanish team is constructed from the ground up, while the English national team is built from the top down, focusing on the elite players. There are arguments for both approaches, but both have proven effective.

"However, I think we need to cultivate more players. There aren't enough players, and that obviously begins at the grassroots level, in schools. Progress is being made, but it takes years for such initiatives to bear fruit.

"It's vital to ensure that enjoyment in football is prioritized, that funding is allocated for players, facilities, and referees, as that will eventually yield future players, which is the ultimate goal.

"We want to maintain the momentum but also increase participation, as it's not solely about the elite level; it's about filling the leagues, creating more teams, and expanding leagues so that more women can engage in the sport, allowing everyone to enjoy it, regardless of skill level."

Before transitioning into broadcasting, Ward dedicated 17 years at Leeds United working in the club's academy as the head of education and welfare.

With an understanding of coaching at that level in professional clubs, she feels there is currently a deficiency in quality, advocating for the hiring of more coaches with practical experience in the sport.

"I also have some concerns regarding the quality of the experience," Ward adds.

"I know the FA is working to develop more coaches. At the upper echelons of academies, I worry about the quality and experience of the coaches within that age group.

"Diversity is fantastic in every respect, but coaches who learn the game solely from books or online without real-life experience or knowledge at that specific age level, from 16 to 18 to first team, is crucial.

"I believe it's beneficial to have younger coaches involved who may not have played but are passionate about the game. However, at that level, I think experience is essential.

"Many FA courses teach coaching in a uniform manner, as that's how you pass, and you need to acquire additional insights from other sources.

"That frustrates me because I believe there are many talented individuals or those with experience who would be better suited for that age group leading into the first team."

Nonetheless, whatever gaps may still exist, the progress made over the years should be recognized and appreciated, particularly in terms of financial investment.

History was made recently, with Canadian forward Olivia Smith becoming the first £1 million transfer in women's football following her move to Arsenal from Liverpool.

Ward regards the transfer as a "landmark" event but cautions that excessive financial influx in the sport could lead to imbalances, especially within the WSL.

"Certainly, a landmark move for the WSL and women's football in general," she reflects.

"It undeniably illustrates significant investment, with teams placing faith in young talent.

"However, it raises concerns about sustainability, which is crucial. If the large fees surpass incoming revenue, we risk creating a two-tier league, and some might argue that it already resembles a two-tier league. This situation could worsen significantly if that continues.

"We must safeguard the competitive balance of the WSL. Perhaps (with) financial fair play, providing proper support for smaller clubs. If you are taking a young talent away from a club that nurtured them, then fair compensation should be ensured.

"It's undoubtedly a step towards change, but only if the structure surrounding it evolves alongside the ambition and the fees being discussed."

Leeds must be prepared for the Premier League

And it would be remiss not to inquire about Leeds, given Ward's significant playing tenure with the women's team.

The Whites returned to the Premier League as centurions while narrowly edging out Burnley for the Championship title.

However, the recent trend for newly promoted teams has been immediate relegation, with many struggling to establish themselves in the top division.

"It's become increasingly challenging," Ward states regarding Premier League survival.

"We witnessed this last season, didn't we? It seems to have become a pattern that it's more difficult to survive if you're a newly promoted team.

"The club has chosen to retain Daniel Farke, who performed exceptionally in the Championship. I believe recruitment is absolutely critical. If you ask me what defines a good manager, I would say having good players, which is fundamentally true up to a certain point.

"You need leaders. I've observed that they seem to be focusing on physically capable, strong runners, and defenders in their initial recruitment. Players must be ready for the Premier League, and that's one effective approach to achieve that.

"However, it also needs to be a sensible financial risk, which is not straightforward. You require a defined style, and I think he has a style of play that needs to be clarified, but it also needs to be adaptable.

She adds: "I look at Southampton's example, who struggled tremendously at times last year. They didn't quite nail the recruitment, but more importantly, they failed to adapt from what had worked in the Championship.

"I also think that unity that Leeds exhibited last season is crucial. There's a genuine balance between bringing in new and improved players while retaining the core group that got you there. Off the pitch, things are far better than they have been for a long time.

"The Premier League is not for the faint-hearted. Even with thorough preparation, you can still face punishment.

"I'm confident Leeds will be (prepared)... The key question is which teams you can target to finish above. That's the crucial aspect, and it's extremely challenging."