That Lionesses Podcast - Lauren & Aggie: The Final, Childhood Throwbacks & Reggie! | That Lionesses Podcast Connected by EE

Episode Date: July 25, 2025

Off the back of that incredible semi-final against Sweden, Harriet is joined by Lauren Hemp and Aggie Beever-Jones to unpick the highlights. They talk about the finishers who came on and turned the game around, the incredible goals from Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly, plus why you can never write off the Lionesses. The pair also look ahead to the final and share what it means to them both to be competing on the biggest stage. 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

But I was thinking, what about Robbie Williams, Let Me Entertain You is the new... Oh yeah. Like, rather than Sweet Caroline... Let me entertain you. We should... I mean, for me, it still doesn't feel real. Like, I feel like I'm watching something that isn't actually happening. Like, I don't get how we've done it, but we have.

The thing is just remembering how far we've come as a group and just be calm. Treat it as any other game. And like Aggie said, we can make history. in how far we've come as a group and just be calm, treat it as any other game and like Aggie said, we can make history. Hello and welcome to that Lionesses podcast connected by EE, or should I say that late late show because who doesn't love a last minute winner? I'm Harriet Rose and we are here to play another day. We're here to record another podcast and we are here preparing for another final. It's really happening. Coming up we'll be reflecting on that

semi-final battle talking starters and game changers and the goals that changed it all for England and to do that I am joined by two stars from Tuesday's game. It is Lauren Hemp and Aggie Beaver-Jones! And... Special guest! Reggie! Okay so we actually heard about Reggie earlier in the series but do you guys want to give the backstory of Reggie the dog? Yeah so Reggie is our barista's dog. He comes with us everywhere. Aggie actually takes him on a walk pretty much every morning. Yeah well she was the first person I saw when I arrived in Zurich walking Reggie. Yeah it's part of our little crew, me, Meya and Anna. Every morning we go on a walk with

the little Reggie although we didn't have him this morning hence why I bought him here to make up for it. Oh I see because you didn't get your allocated time so you went and stole him from Barista. But James loves it. Oh Reg. Oh he's had had enough already. He's gone camel-shed. Actually, his agent has just walked in and asked him, you know what, you're not being paid to be here,

so get the hell out. Guys, I'm not really sure where to begin, because wow, congratulations. Feels like they're in order. How are you both feeling? Absolutely knackered still. I'm not surprised, still. I'm not surprised Lauren. Yeah. I'm not surprised. Yeah it was a very hard game, a very physical game. You were

putting it, putting the work in. Yeah I ended up at left back at one point for about half of the game so yeah it was it was very hard, very challenging but obviously we got the result we wanted in the end. And I think it showed again the fight and determination of this group because we've done it before. We'll do it again if we need to. Hopefully we'll do it differently next time. But it's exciting and yeah, we managed to get the win. Have you managed to regulate your heartbeats yet? Because I personally haven't. Absolutely not. Honestly, after the Sweden game, I didn't think we were going to be in a position like that

again and then I don't know what it is about leaving it late but clearly we're doing it and I mean it's paid off but yeah hopefully not on other ones. I even asked the girls I was like please give me a break. I know. But you won't because you're relentless. Yeah. And that's what the Lionesses are, relentless. But Lauren most importantly the thing that we're all bated breath waiting to hear. Did your Lego arrive? Yeah, my Lego arrived. Oh, goodness. I have completed it. Actually, I'll have to show you a photo of it. Have you got a photo? Yeah, I do, actually.

I want to see it right now. I was going through all my like phone settings on my camera and stuff and trying to get like a perfect picture. It's a real cinematic picture. Oh, Aggie literally gasped. Look at that. Oh, is it a princess castle? So it's a beauty and the beast castle. Okay. How good is that in the background?

Sorry, two points. Number one, this hotel looks like a Disney castle. Number two, Lauren. How good is that photo? Okay, I'm really proud of you. And I actually ordered that Lego because I thought I'm gonna get a great photo of this and I managed to do it so. And that's cool. Photographer coming for your job. Yeah who's also called Harriet by the way so you could confuse us. I can't take a photo of anything.

Congratulations on both getting through to the final and completing a magnificent Lego. Have you been doing any Lego, Aggie, or keeping yourself busy? No, I sadly haven't actually. But there's a little Lego set up isn't there in the players' lounge and I think Miesche and Bronzie were making stadiums. It was quite cute, they made the Zurich one and I think they did the one the other day and I think they're gonna do the final Basel one now but I do actually love Lego I've got a few I've got like a Porsche one at home yeah oh a Porsche like the Hokusai wave as well it's just like getting it back that you have to think about yeah I'm gonna struggle because it's actually quite big yeah I'm it looks big babe

well when I was in Australia I wrapped it around in cling film. Right, so you wouldn't just undo it and take it, no that's it. That was like a 20 hour journey, so come on, one hour 50 surely is gonna be pretty easy. You just have to hold it on the plane like that. Just make sure, and they'll be like, we're charging you extra, oh Reggie's coming back. Yay! Hi Reggie, you just swan in and out whenever you want hon,

don't worry about us. Come on, come on. No, he's not interested. Guys, can we leave now? Right, in all seriousness, let's just rewind a little bit to Tuesday properly. I saw Lucy putting a post up again. I said, are you not entertained? But I was thinking, what about Robbie Williams, Let Me Entertain You is the new, like rather than Sweet Caroline, let's get a bit of Robbie. I feel like he'd pop down and just do a quick performance to be honest. What's that song?

Is it? Let me entertain you. That's such a great song. We should say that. That should be the... You know, when you can put a song on the caption post. It should be that. Imagine.

Oh my God, do that next time. You think it makes sense? Yeah. Because we are entertained. And it's like a massive song and obviously Sweet Caroline, massive song as well. Banger after banger after banger. Talking of that, let's talk about the celebration after going through.

You were listening to Freed From Desire again, which is sorry, one of the best songs of all time. But is there any other hype up songs that you're listening to when you like win the game? The proud one. Yeah, proud from Esme, yeah. The one that's like, what have you're listening to when you win the game? The proud one. Yeah, proud from Esme. The one that's like, what have you done today? Oh my god, what have you done today?

Miranda! I love Miranda. I'm real proud. What's her name? Heather Smalls! Heather Smalls, what a legend. Shout out, Heather. We listen to that all the time.

It's really cute to become a thing, hasn't it? It's that Es the time. It's really become a thing hasn't it? Esme's suggestion. I think it probably was. I think it was, yeah. And we started listening to it before the game and then it came on on the coach didn't it after the game and everyone was just like looking around. I mean for me it still doesn't feel real.

Like I feel like I'm watching something that isn't actually happening. Like I don't get how we've done it, but we have. And I think Hempel said it well, but it does just show the English nature and never ever give up. And yeah, I can't get how we've done it, but we have and I think Hempel said it well, but it does just show the English nature and never ever give up and Yeah, I can't quite believe that we're in the final but and I love to hear that because this is your first ever tournament Yeah, you're in the final of your first ever tournament. That's crazy bonkers

Like how does that actually register? Like are you taking enough time to really be like i'm here? And we're in the final? I don't think it's hit me, no. I think, but that's probably a good thing that I think we're just riding the wave of, obviously that we literally have in the meeting room, like the date and Basil, haven't we? Like every day we see it. And it was always the task,

but I think we always knew it wasn't gonna be easy. But he's just sniffing. Sorry, he's just, dog's just going for a wee, so. Imagine. No, your panic phase. I was like, you can't do that. Yeah, my first tournament, obviously, it's been crazy, but I've loved every minute of it.

And I think to see the likes of Michelle come into action, I think, what, six months ago, she wasn't like even, she was with the 23s and then to see her now like completely smashing it on the world's biggest stage it's been such an incredible thing to see and I think we're just so delighted as a team that yeah we're in the final and I think Serena's record I think this is her fifth final which is insane and obviously it's the final on the final was my birthday as well. I've heard this, happy birthday. I know so hopefully it will be the best birthday ever.

Fingers crossed. Lauren you fought and you fought and you fought in that game. I mean were there times where you thought this isn't going to happen? Because by the look of your face it felt like no. Yeah I mean throughout the game obviously we were creating chances and they just weren't going in but I feel like all of us were still pretty calm. Even when it got to like 90 minutes, we were still kind of calm and I was like, I still think we've got a goal in us. And I mean, yeah, as the time was ticking down, I started to get a bit bit nervy. But I was like, whatever you do, just try and get the ball in the box. And like, we've got people there who can make things happen. And as soon as the ball fell to Michelle, I knew that we had a good chance at scoring.

And once we did that, I thought we're gonna do this. Like once we got that goal that we needed, once we sort of broke that wall and broke it down, then I thought we're gonna go on and win this. Like we've got the fight and we've shown that before that we can run in the 120 minutes. And yeah, I don't know how, but I just got

this another burst of energy in that extra time. I started to get cramped towards the end of the game and I thought I'm not gonna be able to do this and then suddenly in the next 30 minutes I was up and down the pitch for me more than I was in the actual game so I don't honestly don't know where that came from. Honestly I just all I can say is keep it coming. It is really funny because having been, with all you've put me through whilst I've been here, I believe that we were gonna do it too. For me, I was like,

doesn't matter if there's two minutes left or 30 seconds left, it just feels like you guys have this drive and this fight and this togetherness as the 23 that is just so beautiful to watch. And it's just amazing to see you both here. And I'm so pleased that we're both like, we're all here together and we're still in it.

And it's just so deserved. I really think you guys have fought to the very end. And I can't wait for Sunday, to be honest. I think also that is crazy. Like even Maya, like sitting on the bench and we're watching the game unfold and like me and May looked at each other, even in like a half time, she was like, I'm not even worried. Like we and we're watching the game unfold and like me and Maya looked at each other even in like a half time she was like I'm not

even worried like we know we're gonna do this and I think that it does show like we do look calm although obviously we're one nil down we will never give up and like you said as soon as like we would just need one chance really the whole second half I could feel it was coming and it was just you just need one chance of yeah brilliance and credit to Michelle, like being there, being able to put it away. And then obviously Chloe standing off in the 119th minute. Un-silly. Like, honestly crazy.

And the Riz of both Michelle and Chloe. Did you say the Riz? The Riz. But when she goes to take it, her Riz is just unmatched, like the energy, she's like. Yeah, the smile she does what is it the sweden game yeah the penalty when she does the smile i mean i put her on a penalty any day of the week but even that one i couldn't watch i just was had my head on my my hands on my

head and i like turned around and just watched up at the big screen waiting for us to hopefully score and yeah i mean when she shot first and missed it, I was like, oh no, oh no, oh no. Yay! I feel like the whole nation was like that. But yeah, it was incredible. That double as well, gosh, you guys know how to put on a show.

And of course, Aggie as well, you had your first tournament goal in the sixth one with Wales. Are you getting used to being a senior Lioness? Because I mean, it's mad. It's just so exciting and so wonderful to see the newer players coming in and taking their moment and holding their own and it's really coming to show that the team as a whole is just so strong. Yeah I think for me I don't ever feel like I'm, although I've been in the set-up for maybe a year and a bit now,

for me, I'm still so honoured every time I come here. And I think it's credit to the girls. I can remember my first camp coming in and everyone being so friendly, and I'm quite lucky that I had a few of the Chelsea girls to kind of put an arm around me. But I think, yeah, it's just part of being here. Everyone is so friendly, everyone's there for you. It is that togetherness in one nature.

But, yeah, getting the goal against Wales was obviously a massive highlight for me, it was something that I've dreamed of and to have my family there and yeah just a moment that obviously I won't forget but I wouldn't be able to do it without the people around me, that's one thing. And obviously having the trust from Serena and Arj and yeah it was absolutely incredible in the moment, I definitely won't forget but again I won't be able to do it without the girls around me. So yeah, you all amazing. Obviously, you mentioned Michelle. I mean, incredible scenes.

What does it feel like to play with somebody who can come on and sort of create that chaos that we need in a game like Michelle can? Yeah, I think Michelle was for me. She's a player that she's quite unique in the sense of like, she's such a powerhouse, like she has that physical presence. And I think for her, she has, she's come in as a 19 year old with this confidence and it's so nice to kind of see. And I think it is almost like a bit of a breath of fresh air.

Like she offers something a bit different. She's a great target player for us. And I think you can see that about her. She's ready. She wants to create an impact. And obviously when we came on the other day, we looked at each other and we're like, we can do this. Like, it's not going to be see that about her. She's ready. She wants to create an impact. And obviously when we came on the other day, we looked at each other and we're like, we can do this. Like, it's not going to be about me and her.

It's about the 11 players on the pitch and working through it. And I think, again, you could see how happy and relieved everyone was when it went in. And for us, as soon as that went in, I just looked around and I was like, this is it. We're going to get another one. And we all have that feeling,

although we might not talk about it. I think you can all see it and feel it. And yeah, we were able to do it again. And it was incredible. And you just all showed such power and strength in that game. As the Lionesses are the comeback queens, I thought it would be fun to talk about a few things.

We could think about coming back or not. I wanna get your judgment, guys. I've got some examples and you need to decide whether they should come back or not. Okay. But I also, whilst creating this game, had to remember that you guys are under the age of 25 because some of the things coming back you might not even remember. So please do tell me if you've never experienced. Number one, heavy Instagram filters. Do you remember borders on pictures? No, you probably don't. When Instagram first came out, I put borders around my photos.

I feel like some people still do that now. Yeah, I feel like that as well. What about a heavy Valencia, you know what I'm talking about, a filter which is just like extremely strong. Should we bring back those early days of horrible looking photos on Instagram? Because everything's a bit too perfect now, I feel. I'm a hard pass. now, I feel. Yeah. I'm a hard pass.

Talk me through it, talk me through it. I just think it, like for me, I love like, I think we spoke about it, but like film and photography and that stuff. So I like the natural, like, Mayer actually, she bought her film camera. Mine broke, which is quite sad, but Mayer got hers developed

and they actually came back yesterday. But yeah, it looks so much more like natural. And for me, I'm such a more like, um, I appreciate that a lot more. You would love the old days of Instagram then, cause it was basically vintage filters to make it look like you were using a film camera. Aggy, you were born at the wrong time. You'd have loved it. Okay. Wearing tights or leggings underneath shorts.

To be fair, I was walking around yesterday in that. Like, I was in my recovery tights. Not just a pair of 10 Denny's? No. I was a bit worried when I looked at them. And I was looking in the mirror thinking, I look good. I was thinking, what am I doing? But then I thought recovery is key. And so I'd only do it in a recovery sense. Okay. But a lot of the girls do have it. It's not like they'll just stand out like a sword. I think Lauren Hemp is gonna bring back

wearing tights with shorts. That's all I'm saying. Get a couple of pap shots of her. I don't think I'd have many friends. Okay, toys in cereal boxes. Oh yeah. Oh yeah. Bring that back.

Bring that back. Did you have any of that when you were kids? Yeah, I feel like that's the enjoyment of eating the cereal, like to try and search for that toy. It was literally one of the single most greatest moments of, like especially, do you have brothers and sisters? I've got a sister, yeah. When you have competition as well in the cereal box,

it's like who's gonna get to the toy first? I feel like parents hated us because obviously we'd be open to all the different ones. Hands in all the way to the bottom. Let's bring those back guys, yeah? Selfie sticks, bring them back or no? Oh yeah, I think so. Do you think, yeah?

Yeah, because I imagine when we're on a pitch walkout and we could all just get a selfie like that. I think that would be quite cute. But you've got Harriet, she's standing right here. I know, but she's a woman in very high demand. She's got, we get her to take pictures of us when we're on the bench before the game, let alone she's got a team photo.

That's true, she is busy. So maybe help her out a little bit. Harriet's hearing selfie stick and being like, do you know what, this is an amazing idea. Right, now you're back at base camp in Zurich. Preparations are well ahead for the final. Is the focus more shifting to the body or is it intense training? Like, how does it look or is it a balance of both?

I mean, in the initial stages, like, it's very recovery based. Like, we're doing whatever we can to make sure our body's right for the final. But obviously, as the leading gets closer and closer to the game, it's more like what we're going to do in the game to try and win. But yeah still recovery focus at the moment because a lot of us are still getting over the very intense game but yeah just making sure our body's right and then as soon as tomorrow hits it's like what we're going to do to beat Spain. Oh gosh it's so exciting yeah as you've mentioned we now know it's Spain that we're facing a repeat of the 2023 World Cup. What do you expect this game to bring? I mean Lauren obviously you were there, tell us a bit about what you

expect the game to bring. I think in a final everything's just so I guess different. It's a one-off game like anything can happen and I think it's whoever turns up on the day and performs the best and I think we've shown different sides of us as England we've shown how to fight we've shown how to play really good football and we've put them both together and like had some really good performances over the tournament so it's just bringing our best however that looks and winning by any means possible and we've had to do that this tournament and we've got to where we are not through luck but through grit and determination.

And I mean, it is a one off game. So, yeah, we're going to do whatever it takes to try and win that. Because a lot of the way through when we've chatted and we've talked about the games, it's been like, we're going to play this like a final. Well, now we're here and we can literally play it like the final. Lauren, your third major tournament and it's a final, is there a coincidence here? Lauren's been here every single time and we're at the final again? I don't know. Maybe. How does going through it three times, like, how does it

feel getting to your third? Is it any different or do you feel exactly the same as you did at every other final? I think it's still just as exciting. It's good having these experiences under my belt because I kind of know what to expect going into final but it's weird like every tournament is completely different and yeah I think it's just looking back at the tournament and just seeing how far we've come as a group and yeah I mean it's so exciting to be part of my third major tournament final so yeah I mean I can't wait and I think we all need to remember to just enjoy these moments because they don't always happen I mean I'm very fortunate enough to have been in three but it's not particularly normal that

people do that all the time so I think I need to just remember to just go out there and enjoy it and yeah I think obviously the new girls coming in to just yeah soak up every moment because it's not often that you you're lucky enough to say that you're in a final. Exactly and be proud of yourselves because it's a huge moment. And the last one, it's our final question. It's making me so sad because we're almost coming to the end of the series but last question, no tactics, no analysis, just you. Hearing the National Anthem on Sunday, watching the spectacle that comes with a major final, moments before the kickoff,

what do you think you're going to be telling yourselves? I just think enjoy it. I think Hempho said it so well, but it's easy to forget the journey that we've been on. And it's not just a one game battle. We've prepared however long to get to this position. And yeah, you kind of have to take a step back and go like we can make history again this time and I think for me being a fan watching the 2022 Euros and to see like the whole stadium erupt when Chloe scored and like for me I always knew women's game work it could go and for me that was a day in history where I was like finally the women's game is gonna get the recognition it deserves and to kind of see the impact it's had in here

in Switzerland in terms of like even when we've gone out it's so busy everyone's watching the game and yeah like Humpo said for her to be in her third final is incredible it's still such a young age and yeah it's a chance to make history again and I can't wait I'm so excited and yeah to hopefully lift the trophy would be yeah absolutely incredible. Did you think by the way when you were watching the 2022 did you think I'll be there? No, not at all. I just think like I just thought Like who knows what will happen but imagine like and it's just anyone watching if you have a dream you can achieve it Aggie was sat watching this in 2022 and she's here

Fighting to take home the euros again. So that is an amazing thing. And it's incredible that you've been at three. It's just unreal. I've got goosebumps right now, guys. Lauren, what are you gonna be thinking? I didn't get your answer to what you'd be thinking seconds before that first whistle blows. I think it's pretty similar to what Aggy was saying. I feel like when the adrenaline kicks in,

it's like, I think just being calm, it's easy to think, oh my God, it's a final, like biggest game of my life. But at the end of the day, we've just been through about five finals in the tournament. Like ever since after that first game, we knew every single one was a must win. So I think it's just remembering how far we've come

as a group and just be calm, treat it as any other game. And like Aggie said, we can make history, but yeah, just relax, enjoy it, and that's when you get to play your best football. Well, at least someone can relax, because it won't be me. It's so much easier playing than it is watching. I don't think that's true, Lauren.

I think you're just really good at your job. Because when I'm on the bench, the nerves are more. So nervous, because you feel like you can't influence anything, whereas on the pitch, it's just, I don't know.'m on the bench, the nerves are so nervous because you feel like you can't influence anything, whereas on the pitch it's just, I don't know. You and the board. Yeah, I think it's hard because you watch and you think, oh, you're not in control of it. So I think in that extent, yeah, it is obviously difficult. But from our point of view, we know how good our starting eleven is and the impact the finishers can have and the girls execute the game plan so well

and we have full trust in them and yeah, I just can't wait for it to kind of happen and see, yeah, the girls do what they do best and yeah. Well, thank you so much. Lauren and Maggie, you have been a pleasure. Thanks for joining me again on that Lionesses podcast connected by EE. And as I said, we are all behind you.

We are all so proud of you. Everyone at home is watching and screaming at the TV and alongside you and everybody. Honestly, genuinely, even random people I meet in the street who aren't English are supporting you and in the pubs here in Zurich and we'll all be behind you on Sunday. And I hope recovery and training over the next few days

goes extremely well. Do let me know what happens to the Lego. I hope it makes its way back in one piece. And to all of you watching, we need your support. You hear Reggie just shaking himself in the background. He's chilled. Like if anyone's chilled, Reggie is chilled. So let's take a leaf out of Reggie's book. Get behind the girls, make sure you are following and subscribed everywhere and make sure you are watching on Sunday because we need all eyes on this game. We will be back tomorrow to hear more about how preparations are going for the Euros final, everybody. Alright, thanks for watching. Bye!