That Lionesses Podcast - Agyemang & Greenwood: Super Subs, Pianos & Happy Gilmore | That Lionesses Podcast Connected by EE

Episode Date: July 26, 2025

With less than 48 hours to go until the EURO 2025 final, Harriet is joined by Michelle Agyemang and Alex Greenwood to look ahead to the rematch against Spain. The pair share the team’s preparations for the final few days, Michelle gets her flowers for her two outstanding equalizer goals, plus Alex gives an update on her 100th cap rubber duck (the update we know you’ve all been waiting for…) Follow @lionesses on Instagram, WhatsApp and X, plus @england on TikTok, Facebook and YouTube so you don’t miss a thing! We’d love to get your feedback on ‘That Lionesses’ Podcast’. This survey will only take 5 mins to complete and your honest thoughts will be extremely valuable in helping to shape England content in the future: https://project.tolunastart.com/s/So58M  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

She's showing. Yeah, I know, sorry. I do that when I get excited. You should hear me in the stands. Is that you weakening it? Yes, yes. What was it? Perhaps the equaliser four is actually Michelle Adjiman. No comment.

No, what? Deals are being signed. Listen, we'll leave you to it. Especially the last game, like when they were like, oh, Mishka, warm up. I was like shaking while I was running. I was like, oh, I can't do this. But you know, when you get on the pitch, it's completely... I think was running. I was like, oh, I can't do this. But you know,

when you got... I think you can. Yeah, take that back. Hello and welcome to That Lioness's podcast, Connected by EE. I'm Harriet Rose and this is our penultimate episode of the series. I'm not crying, you are. Coming up, we are talking all about the final, what the last preparations have looked like and how the group are feeling ahead of it. And with me today to talk about all of this and more, it is Michelle Adjiman and Alex

Greenwood. Welcome, welcome, welcome. Alex, really dying to ask you, how is your 100th cap duck doing? She's fine. You had no idea what I was talking about when I said that, didn't you? No I did, come back to me. I don't know what's going on.

So. I got a gift, a duck. Don't pretend you don't know because I know Alex has gone round to every single member of the team and said. Yes, remember. Do you know that I. Oh, the duck. The duck.

The duck. The duck, yeah, yeah, yeah. The best gift she's ever been given. Really cute duck. Have you been able to use it in the bath or anything? Has anyone else used it in the bath? I mean, I've handed it out to a few people. I don't know if they've shared the bath with it, but yeah. But it's probably really a symbol of just joy and hope

within the team that you'll never forget. I'm definitely taking it home because it'll just bring back so many memories. So many memories for the team that you'll never forget. I'm definitely taking it home because it'll just bring back so many memories. So many memories to the duck that you only just remembered. No, well, seriously, it has been such a pleasure to be here this whole time with you guys and honestly an honor. And we're gonna begin by talking, Michelle,

about your incredible performance. It's been a couple of days since the semi-final win, semi-final win in case you didn't know. Has your tremendous effort sunk in yet? I think so. I think especially like the day after, I think it was crazy to just see like how far we've come, especially from the first game to now.

And to know that we've done that together as a team is great, you know, to be here and to be at a final again. Absolutely. After scoring equalizers in both the quarter and the semi-final, we're starting to think you're actually not a Lioness and you're actually the equalizer. Until Washington has got to run for his money.

Perhaps the equalizer for is actually Michelle Adjiman. No comment. No, deals are being signed. Listen, we'll leave you to it. Alex, after the game, we saw you pushing Michelle forward to get her flowers. That was such a beautiful moment. That's why I'm so glad you guys are here together.

Why was that important for you that she had her moment? Michelle's like so humble and I think she's obviously had two moments where this has happened. I just think them moments don't happen often. I know she's so young and I have no doubt she's going to have such an incredible career and score so many goals for England and stuff. The journey we've been on in this tournament and the timing of the goal, how important the goal was, She got us back

in the game and ultimately like it was a difference maker and I just think you deserve to enjoy your moment. The fans obviously in front of the fans, your families to the left of you. I just think, I just thought if I didn't do it I would have been so disappointed for her not to have that moment for herself and she deserved it. Yeah and it was so beautiful and it was so beautiful. It was so beautiful to watch. It was unreal. And Alex, you had a fantastic game.

Your energy is relentless. Like, my eyes are drawn to you a lot, especially when I've watched it in the stadiums, because you're just, bam, bam, bam, bam, bam. When it's getting so close to the end of a game, and you know what needs to be done to when you've got so much experience, where do you find that energy?

Like where is it coming from? I think it's just from do anything to win. It's just that, honestly though, I don't know if you watched the end of the last game, the end of the game, I was gone. I couldn't even walk at the end of that game. So I think I was on my last batteries in the dying moment. But I mean, the whole squad, we need a squad.

Jess comes on and finished the job off. So it's been the story of the tournament, right? We've had the whole squad, we've needed all 23 players at some point in the tournament. And I think Michelle's moment, Jess coming in, Chloe, Aggie, let's not forget about Aggie's role in the game as well, because although she didn't score or whatever, she was still so important.

And she's also had her moments as well. She had a moment in the Wales game. And it's not, as you guys always reiterate, it is 23 players making this happen. Oh, absolutely. Which is what's so beautiful about it. Michelle, when you were on the podcast last, I don't know if you remember, we spoke, well, I actually suggest, I made a suggestion, which was

obviously, Michelle is extremely musically talented, which some of you might not know. I suggested that perhaps she should busk, you know, pre-game, post-game. She was like, probably I'm going to be a bit busy. But I did hear you had time to give a musical performance to Lotte. Because she asked. I asked? And she actually came to my room. She made the active steps to come to my room and ask if I can play for her.

I said, yeah, of course. You've made it clear, haven't you, Misha? If you want a show, you've got to go to the room. I'm not going to come and collect you. Yeah, make the effort. She's made it clear. I've asked her so many. You know, if we weren't here, will you?

Nope. If you score, nope, nope. This is how it goes. This is what's happening., you know, if we weren't here, will you, nope, if you score, nope, nope, this is how it goes, this is what's happening. If you want it here, then you come to the room. Hey, I've offered you as well. Yeah, she has, she has. So whenever you're ready, we don't have long left. We're all, imagine Monday morning,

everyone's banging on Michelle's door. Oh, no, do not disturb her. Do not disturb her. I love that you've got a piano in your room here though. No, yeah, it's really nice that it was like taken over and yeah, it's literally right next to my bed. So sometimes just roll out and just. I love that.

What's the go-to song? I don't know. Just be-be-be-be-be-be-be. That's a good song. To be so talented though. Yeah, well, I mean, Michelle's got a piano, you've got your duck. I mean, we've all got our things

that bring us joy in the tournament and When Hannah was on the podcast after the Sweden game She said this group likes to keep things exciting. She's not wrong. Keep the fans on their toes She's not wrong. The lionesses are getting a reputation for leaving it late Are you guys just here for the drama because my heart is? Physically in a disposition right now. I mean, listen, I'm enjoying it in a weird way, but the old heart rate monitor is pinging off every time a game comes. Yeah, we just meet up every before and say how much drama can we cause here?

How late can we start? Yeah, no. It's not the plan. We get nervous as well. Yeah, of course. It's obviously emotional for us and we're going through it as well. Maybe not so much if you're watching the game. I couldn't imagine how the last two games have been for the fans and stuff, but it's not the intention. But I mean, it's incredible, isn't it?

And a lot of the girls that tell me, which I can imagine, actually it's easier for you on the pitch. If you, like, for example, if you get subbed or before you go on, it is actually more nerve-racking than when your boots on the pitch. Yeah definitely I think for me the especially the last game like when they were like oh Mishka warm up I was like shaking while I was running I was like oh I can't do this but you know when you get on the pitch it's completely different like you know you're kind of just in the zone

and you block all of just in the zone and you block all of that out, I think. I think you both do that really well. And it's, I mean, the entire team seems to have this ability to be like, and we're on and we're going and we're pushing. And it's incredible to see. I've said consistently throughout doing the podcast,

it's something I noticed back when we were in SGP. One of the best things about the group is the connection and the spirit. There is no other word than beautiful to describe it between all of you and you can see it on and off the pitch and I've seen it so much more whilst being here which is why it's been such a privilege. What will you be doing in these final days to kind of ensure that you keep that energy? Nothing different really, meish, eh? We're not going to now become something else. And it's actually really just natural and organic. No one changes or what we would do leading into a game doesn't change. I think we've got Movie Night Tonight, right? Oh yeah. Movie Night. What happens at Movie Night?

I mean, obviously you watch a movie. I don't know why I'm saying that. What's the film? Happy Gilmore, the new one. There's a new one? I haven't watched the first one. I don't know why I'm saying what. What's the film? Happy Gilmore the new one. There's a new one? I haven't watched the first one. Honey I don't think you were born to be fair it was a long time ago. It's a very good film though. I've seen it yeah yeah it's really good but I think that's the plan tonight. To watch a film. Just something a bit silly sausages to kind of. Yeah I mean it's obviously football football football constantly so just to switch off a little bit. Not everyone has to come, everyone does other things and it's not like you have to be here. If you want to be in your room, play piano, play with your duck. Hey listen, underrated playing with your duck. I feel like

it's a good idea to definitely pick a film that's not a bend it like Beckham moment, is it? It's definitely a non-football related film. Happy Gilmore just takes you to another place. Yeah, we're hoping just to have a bit of fun, relax, switch off a little bit. Just something different. Yeah, which is lovely. And it's again, just a nice way to connect and be together.

Now I thought it might be fun to talk about some things that are very arguably English, and we'll decide between us whether we think they are or not. Okay. Okay. I thought it might be fun to talk about some things that are very arguably English and will decide between us whether we think they are or not. Okay. Okay. Over apologising. Yeah.

You know like when you like pass by someone and you kind of like get in each other's way and you just say, oh, sorry. Oh, sorry. Oh, sorry. Do you get what I mean? I think that's a very English thing. I actually noticed you do it in one of the press conferences because I think you bumped the mic and you went,

oh, sorry, and it is so English. I've noticed it in Switzerland because people are like, why are you saying sorry so much? Like it's- Yeah, I do think that's quite an English thing, isn't it? Yeah, so we agree? Yeah, I agree. Okay, Yorkshire puddings on all roast dinners, any meat.

So I don't eat pork on a roast But I uh, no, so what I would have a Yorkshire pudding on a roast. Yeah any single one. Yeah same I think it's just like it has to be there. It has to be there. Exactly. Roast dinner on the Yorkshire is not the same Is it? No, it's not a roast. It's not a roast exactly having a cup of builder's tea even on a hot day. I Don't drink tea. So this is not a roast. Exactly. Having a cup of builder's tea even on a hot day. I don't drink tea so this is not a tea mate. Not a big tea drinker either. Okay well we're going with a no for that one. Sorry. What? No, don't apologize. You're making the rules here. Even though I'm playing. I'm just kidding.

Chatting to strangers about the weather and only the weather. I don't know that's where you're from. I think so. Down south, I don't think we do that that much. See, I was gonna say off north. I don't think we do that either. So what do you make conversation about? What do you just do? With a randomer?

Yeah. Do you make conversation? I think apart, I don't talk to strangers. Stranger danger. And that is very good advice from Michelle. Do not talk to strangers. But if you happen to make sure it's only about the weather. I think passing comments, you could be, oh, it's hot.

But that's exactly what I'm talking about. If you're you know, like a safety conversation, correct. And like, you know, say, for example, hypothetically, you get stuck in a lift with someone and you're like, hot, isn't it? Can't believe it. We've waited all year. Yeah, you know, you're not. I know. I'm trying to think what else you'd actually say. Yeah because you don't want to talk to anyone about anything else. I mean personally for me I live in London and there is no doubt that if I'm on a tube with someone and it's

really hot and something weird happens, the weirdest thing in the world could happen like boiling on the tube isn't it? That's so true. I just want to like avoid any sort of conversation. Okay yeah that's yeah I'd say that then. So you know you're safe if someone brings up the weather. Saving wrapping paper to reuse it. No. Have you never done that? Oh my God, it's iconic, you should start, it's so much fun.

I've got wrapping paper from when I was about 15. I feel like he kind of just rip it. True, but not me, I'm- Julian, when you've got a role, you do your, and then the rest of the role you keep for the next year? No, I mean that when you're opening your presents, when you're opening your presents, you like the wrapping paper, you open it really carefully.

No way. No, I'm tearing that. Okay, I need to get a life, I think. No, no. No, no, I do. You two are too nice. I need to get a life. Okay, one more.

One more, and I'm really intrigued if this works for you two. Wearing your pajamas to the corner shop. My parents are not allowed me to go out the house with my pajamas. I know the comments are gonna be, are you from Liverpool? People wear the pajamas and rollers in the rear. Hey, you're allowed to have standards.

No, that is not okay, I'm sorry. Okay, well I'll see you both in the shop with my pajamas on because I will be there wearing them. Would you put a coat on? No. Just go out there with the pajamas? Yeah. And especially in my area, people do know who I am as well, so they look at me and think you're a mess and I think, yeah I am.

At least you own it. I was just going to say yeah. You know what? Own your mess. Own your mess. Thank you. I think you passed the test. Don't know what the test was but we say, yeah. You know what, own your mess. Own your mess. Thank you, I think you passed the test. Don't know what the test was, but we made it work. Now let's look ahead at Sunday's final. Michelle, first tournament, first final, not bad.

You've not done bad, girl. How does it feel for you? It's a huge moment. I mean, we as a nation are so proud of all of you, but I wanna know how it must feel for you? It's a huge moment. I mean, we as a nation are so proud of all of you. But I want to know how it must feel for you the first time. I don't think it's really sunk in yet because we're not actually there yet. I reckon when we get to Basel and we actually see the stadium and stuff

it will proper settle in. But yeah, I'm just ready for it like another game. I love that. I think we've discussed before like another game. I love that. I think we've discussed before how every game has been approached ever since France as the final. This is essentially like not the first final you've played

and it's kind of like in a weird way, a good thing, because you've got yourself into that mindset and now you're there. You're in that mindset ready to go. Alex, obviously this is your sixth international tournament and your third final. You are a legend and an icon. It's so incredible.

How are you looking ahead to the final with all that experience under your belt? Of course I've thought about it. But again, like, kinda similar to me as well. It's not much considering it's a first or sixth or whatever that is. It's not much different what I would do for the last game. The previous game would be no different to what I do for this game. I'll prepare, match day minus two, minus one.

Of course, I know the magnitude of the game and I know what's to come. The build up to the game on the outside rather than the inside and I think if we protect our inside anyway it should feel as normal as the last game for the likes of Michelle and the younger players who maybe have not experienced it before and that's really really important I think once you start changing things and talking about it in a different way it becomes like it's not not normal or it's we have to do something different but we don't. It gives me goosebumps when you both speak with such eloquence and confidence and it

makes it even more thrilling that we're about to go to the final. Are you showing? Yeah I know sorry, I do that when I get excited. You should hear me in the stands. Is that you weakening in? Yes, yes. There's been a few games where I've been sat by kind of chill, low key people who are like, what is, and I'm like, guys, I'm at a football game.

Yeah. I'll scream for all of us if I have to. You're coming into this final from such different points of the journey. What's obviously first and sixth. What have you learned from each other during the tournament? What's a good question, I don't think particularly learned anything like as in that surprised me or maybe I didn't know but I think what's been the biggest thing I'll take away from the tournament is our willingness to do anything to win

and I think I know people say obviously you you'll do anything you can to win a football match but I think we've had so many of them moments not that we've again like we've planned to have them but critical critical moments in games where we've needed a player to come on and change the game or score a goal like me sure make a tackle or a bronzy to score a pen or Hannah to make a save Kira to make a pass, just moments. Not that I don't know that them players can do that, I see them in training every day. I've seen Michelle finish like that every single day. But it's doing that under the biggest pressure, staying

calm. But then what I like is after the game, it's like, we go again, what's next? And I just, I think that's so important. I don't know if that's because we're now maybe used to semi-finals and finals and that's our expectation so we only work that way or and For Michelle now no pressure kid. Well, this is the expectation now like semi-finals finals and I think it's incredible Yeah, it really is Michelle. What about you? um, I think that fight, you know, every single game to, to be fair, like since the Netherlands game, it's been a final for us. And, you know, we've gone into every single game with that confidence.

And to see us pull out the fire last minute, almost every single time shows that, you know, resilience and that belief. And I think taking that for myself is really important. Yeah, it's amazing to see and it's the first time I've ever been in real life in this kind of level of football watching it and it is just unreal. I'm so excited for it even if any for the people watching at home it's just even on a screen it's palpable. I've been hearing from the players that you've been trying to catch as many of the other games as possible in the tournament. From watching Spain play, what do you think their biggest strengths are and what are you

going to do to prepare for that? I mean I think with Spain, their style of play is very unique. I think they play a certain way. Sometimes no matter how you set up, it's almost hard to completely stop what they do. I think they have some fantastic individuals as we're all aware of. We all know they are big names. They're world cup winners.

So we're very honest and respectful of the team and how good they are that we're gonna come up against, but we're also very confident in our game plan. So I think without going into too much detail, we're confident in what we need to do. Incredible. And obviously you've been part of the coach journey, the pre-match talk, the nerves of a final. What's the most important thing for the players to remember in those final minutes before kickoff, would you say? Do what you always do. Nothing needs to change just do it and enjoy it

Just like literally take like I have no problem with a player being like wow This is this is the final like take it in like for sure, but don't change what you do like you're here for a reason you're What you've done your preparation your routine whether that's listening to music, the same song, not at all, dancing, singing, whatever that is, you don't need to now become this completely different character who's now silent or now is loud. Whatever makes you feel relaxed and calm, just go back to what you do. Well, talking of that actually, Aggy and Lauren told me yesterday that Heather Small's song, Proud, has been what you've been listening to before the games

and after the games to pump you up. We've got a little something for you if you want to watch the screen here. Hey, my lionesses, it's Heather Small here and a little bird told me that you sing Proud before and after every game. Now, I'm not going to wish you luck. I'm going to wish you what you deserve. Go and get that cup. Iconic, right?

Are the whole team going to get to see that? Yeah, we're going to send it round 100%. I'm gonna wish you what you deserve. Go and get that cup. Iconic, right? The whole team gonna get to see that. Yeah, we're gonna send it round 100%. That's cool. I fully was gasped when they sent it. Cause they were like, oh, by the way, we've got a little video. And I was like, is it Heather Small?

Is it Heather Small? How cute though. That was awesome. Day over 20. Send me a skincare routine, hun. To finish, other than of course a win, what do you hope the final brings you both personally and as a team? I think the memories, I think, you know,

like it is my first major tournament. So, you know, to be here in the first place is amazing, but you know, to be in this position in the final is surreal. So I think taking it and making great memories, you know, to be here in the first place is amazing, but, you know, to be in this position in the final is surreal. So I think taking it in, making great memories, you know. Obviously a win is what we want, like nothing less. So I think those two combined would be great for me. And Alex, what about you? Yeah, very much the same.

I think the memories that come with a final are so special. When you think about, when I think about last tournament and I think about moments, it's probably finals, being with your family, enjoying a moment together. What like, Misha, besides the actual wanting to win, if you talk about everything away from that, it's what you take with family experiences and being with your teammates and enjoying a moment. Absolutely, and you have left us with so many moments and so many memories from this. It's

been an amazing euros for the fans and everybody is behind you. I've said it a lot on the podcast, like we've got your back. We're behind you. We'll be screaming in the sands and screaming in our living rooms. Michelle, Alex, thank you so much for being on that Lionesses podcast, connected by EE, the penultimate episode. It means so much that you've taken time out just before you're about to do something so big. We're obviously sending you the biggest amount of support for Sunday. And as always, as I've said, we are all behind you. There is just one more episode left in the series. I know, but I have organized you a goodie guys. We have Captain Leah Williamson and Lioness's legend Jill Scott

That's a great episode Right, thank you Michelle It's Michelle approved and Alex approved so you know you're gonna love it They will be getting us even more pumped for Sunday night's final and reflecting on what an incredible tournament it has been Thank you again guys, you're incredible incredible it's been such an honour. Bye!