The laurels keep stacking up for the Euro2022 champions as England's Lionesses have been nominated for the 2023 Laureus World Team of the Year Award following their sensational summer exploits.
Under manager Sarina Wiegman, England Women claimed their first-ever major tournament silverware as they defeated Germany 2-1 in front of a raucous and sold-out Wembley Stadium, also marking the country’s first major football trophy since the men’s side won the 1966 World Cup.
In the process, the team ignited an insatiable fever for women’s football across the nation and have inspired immense change from ground-up to grow the women’s domestic game.
And after a ballot by the world’s sports media, the triumph has earned the team a berth on the shortlist for Team of the Year, and most notably as the only women’s team to crack the prestigious list.
The Lionesses are up against heady competition for the title, with Lionel Messi's World Cup winners Argentina, Champions League winners Real Madrid, NBA champions Golden State Warriors, the Oracle Red Bull Racing and the France men’s rugby team who secured the 2022 Six Nations after a 12-year drought.
And Wiegman lauded the heroics accomplished by her side and expressed her pride at representing women’s sport in the nominees: "2022 was a memorable year for women’s football and I know I speak on behalf of the players and support team to say it is a real honour to be shortlisted for the Laureus World Team of the Year Award.
"To be recognised against five other teams across the world and to fly the flag for women’s sport is something that we’re hugely proud of. The reaction to last summer’s victory continues to fill us with joy and as we prepare for another big year, we are grateful to those who nominated us. We’ll keep our fingers crossed that we’re successful on the evening."
England extended their remarkable unbeaten run under Wiegman to 28 matches with their 2-1 victory over Italy in the second match of the Arnold Clark Cup on Sunday. A brace from Aston Villa's Rachel Daly was enough to see the Lionesses through and a draw with Belgium on Wednesday would be enough for England to retain their Arnold Clark Cup title.
The performances have served up promising signs for the impending Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, with England becoming fast favourites to lift the trophy after a disappointing semi-final defeat to eventual champions USA.
The Lionesses return to Arnold Clark Cup action on Wednesday evening.
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