England's dominance to claim their country's first major piece of silverware since 1966 has dominated headlines around the world and catapulted women's football into the mainstream like never before.
The Lionesses' claim of the Euro 2022 trophy is testament to the players themselves, their coaches, backroom staff, Football Association and families who have supported them through thick and thin since day one.
We hone in on two of those successful coaches who inspired England to their first major trophy, Welshmen Geraint Twose (assistant coach) and Martin Evans (physical performance pathway lead).
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Twose, assistant to Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman, hails from Merthyr Tydfil and cut his teeth in the Cardiff City academy, where he was assistant manager from 2006 to 2013. Before that, he was a Football n he Community and academy coach, meaning his spell with the Bluebirds lasted no fewer than 13 years. He also supported the FAW Trust in delivering UEFA B courses during that time.
The Cardiff Metropolitan University graduate was then recruited by the FA in 2013 to become a youth coach educator, providing support to clubs. He also spent eight months as head coach of England men’s under-15s, and has been a first-team coach with the Lionesses for almost six years, preparing them for major tournaments including the 2017 Euros, 2019 World Cup and, now, their successful Euro 2022 title win. He also supported Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
He worked alongside current Wales Women manager Gemma Grainger, who joined the Football Association of Wales in March 2021, during their time together at the FA, when Grainger linked up with the senior women's set-up for the 2017 Euros after working across the development teams. Grainger is now hoping to lead Wales towards their first ever major tournament, with two final World Cup qualifiers in September set to determine whether they claim a play-off spot for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand next year. Catch up on our Wales Women coverage here.
As for the second Welshman to have a big say in preparing England for their European success, Martin Evans is the FA's physical performance pathway lead and has been in the post for almost six years after extensive experience in other sports.
He spent an early part of his career as Cardiff Blues academy's strength and conditioning coach before working with Glamorgan Wanderers RFC and then spending six months with the Welsh Rugby Union as Wales U20s strength and conditioning coach, and sports scientist. There followed a move to Sport Wales which lasted almost four years, where he supported the likes of triathlete Helen Jenkins as a strength and conditioning coach, to be followed by a transfer to British Cycling where he spent almost six years.
Then came the move to the FA in 2017, where he has been ever since, bringing his experience from other sports to the table.
It's safe to say Wales will be congratulating this pair on their excellent achievement and being at the top of their game.
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