That Lionesses Podcast - Toone & Bronze: QF Prep, Zurich Love & Tooney's 100% | That Lionesses Podcast Connected by EE

Episode Date: July 15, 2025

Off the back of their 6-1 win against Wales, Harriet is joined by Ella Toone and Lucy Bronze to celebrate England’s progression through the group stage. The conversation turns to the team’s bench celebrations, the mystery behind the finger clicking and whether Ella might secretly be AI... Follow @lionesses on Instagram, WhatsApp and X, plus @england on TikTok, Facebook and YouTube so you don’t miss a thing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A lot of positivity in camp. Everyone's asking what this means. I didn't have a clue what it meant. You're looking at me like I actually don't. Come on, stat man. Why is it not on your iPhone? It's actually written here. I'm not a stats girl.

I'm not a stats girl. You need to find out. Are you real? Or are you AI? I think AI is a bit better than that. I just feel like we could go toon and then it would be a bit less, toon. Yeah.

You know, just take it calm. It goes quite deep, doesn't it? Hello, welcome to That Lioness' podcast connected by EE. I'm Harriet Rose, and today we are reacting to that brilliant 6-1 win against Wales and England progressing to the quarter finals and joining me today are two standouts from Sunday's game it is Lucy Bronze and Ella Tune. Welcome back to the pod guys. Thank you. How are you feeling? I mean what an incredible night Sunday was. I'm all over the place with the days. I'm not surprised babe you're you're doing quite a lot. You're quite busy.

But yeah, we're really good. A lot of positivity in camp. Everyone's asking what this means. I didn't have a clue what it meant. And everyone was doing it. All the subs got off the bench, they were all like that. And I thought, oh, God. So I started doing it and I said,

Meia, what are you doing? She said, it's just a bench thing. I went, oh, right. Oh, NFI. I said, so what does it mean? What does that mean? Not flipping invited. Not flipping invited.

Yeah, that's how I felt. And I said, oh, what's all that about? She said, it's positivity. I said, all right. So I was just a minute. Snaps. So this actually came up on the pod the other day and they were telling us about the snaps

and I was gonna ask you to, but that is hilarious and you've never even heard of it. Who was telling you about the snaps? It was Meija wasn't it? Oh it was Meija. Maybe it was Meija. Maybe it was Meija. I think it's like you say it might be the bench has like created a way, I feel like

what they said about it, it takes a lot less energy than this. Really? That's a bit. I think that's more difficult. And the goalkeepers, if they've got the gloves on. Very hard for them. This is not inclusive for the goalies. Flaps from the goalies. So yeah, it's an inside joke, I think.

To be fair, there was a funny video of us watching Love Island the other day, and the girls started clapping, and Serena was there for some reason. She started clapping, and was like... and then all the girls started snapping and she went... Oh, that was me yesterday on bench. The best part was that they were like, no Ella, you're not allowed. You were like, oh, just go back to clapping then I guess. Clapping is actually very difficult and we've learned this from the podcast, is every time we start an episode, I have to do a clap.

And I did a clap in front of Alex that was like, if you were gonna describe an ick in a physical thing, she literally asked me if I was okay. Oh, did she get the ick? She did, and I don't know how to win her back, but it's just not easy for me to- That's how you clapped? Yeah. Oh, yeah. Yes, okay, don't err how to win her back but it's just not easy for me to win. That's how you clout? Yeah.

Eww. Yes, okay. Don't eww me Lucy. That's... Everyone watching is like, okay well done. Now let's get into the game. 6-1. The team just clicked on the pitch and it was so beautiful to see.

I've also, it was the first time I'd ever watched it where I could like, I've obviously met you guys but I could see you playing really close and it was like, you was the first time I'd ever watched it where I could like, I've obviously met you guys, but I could see you playing really close. And it was like, you know the difference when you've got like a HDTV and then one of the new like 4k ones, I was like, I can see their skin. This is insane. And it was so exciting to be there. Were you pleased how the team responded last night and how it's been turned around since the first game?

It's just like relentless. It's always difficult when you play a team that just sits in a deep block. There's not a lot of space for the midfielders. There's not a lot of space to run in behind and you've got to find a different way to win. But we still created a lot of chances and it was nice that we got six different goal scorers as well. And we got the early goals in the first half which meant that we can relax more going into the second half but yeah we were really happy and I think we gelled well. Yeah it was amazing and like you mentioned England have actually had a total of eight different goal scorers in the

tournament so far and it just shows the incredible depth of the squad and like how well you're working together. How important does that feel in a competition that's got such high stakes, I guess? Well, I think it just gives everyone confidence, doesn't it? Like, each individual, and especially when it's all the attacking players are the ones who have scored, they're the ones that we want to score, that feel good, then at any moment we know there's going to be a goal from somewhere. Yeah, you're not relying on one person. But that's what's amazing as a viewer, because. We don't have to worry. Yeah, you're not relying on one person.

But that's what's amazing as a viewer, because you just don't know what's happening next. And I guess also really incredible for you guys as a team going against people, because they don't know where it's coming from, when it's coming from. It's kind of that element of like, who's gonna score? Yeah, I mean, it's nice that we're all like in form

and we're all getting on the score sheet and a goal and a fret can come from anywhere. And even when we're getting out of the pitch and Lucy's bombing on, there's only a matter of time before Lucy scores one of her edges. You know what I'm saying? Yeah, I saw you bombing around a lot last night. It was incredible. As I said, HD, 4K. You could see it all. In 4K. Ella, a goal for you. And an assist.

Second of the night. And two two assists I actually read a stat about Tooney's game oh tell me the first player since 2013 do you know this I did see it yeah it did make me laugh in a women's Euros game just in one game who's scored assisted and 100% pass completion and is got 100 percent. However I would love to get off the defender for your goal. Yeah pass one two back. I thought that actually but what I was thinking was I played 45 minutes and how many passes did I have? Do you know what I mean? Because what if I had like I only touched the ball like five times? No, I think you, I didn't really touch it that much, you know. I don't.

You're looking at me like I actually don't. Come on stat man, why is it not on your iPad? It's actually written here, I'm not a stats girl. I'm not a stats girl. You need to find out. No, you did a good, a few passes with LJ, me, with Kiera. It's a nice start. With G.

And I feel like you need to stop fighting us on it. Yeah. Because I don't want it. I feel like you should accept it. And my question actually says, are you real or are you AI? I think AI is a bit better than that. It says, I've been caught. And the answer is there, everybody.

It's AI. Who caught her? Who caught her? She caught me on the phone. She's malfunctioning. She's malfunctioning. Serena's going to come in and be like, no. But it is incredible.

And it's a real moment to take in, you know? Yeah, it's nice. You didn't like it though, did you? Are you one of those people that doesn't like compliments? No, I do, I love them. Do we do that again then and you just take it? No, no. I was just laughing because I just had a 45 minute stint and then I had this 100% pass completion and I thought, yeah but I only played 45 minutes. Is it because you feel like you didn't play long enough,

as in if you play longer you might not have had that? I felt like I didn't play long enough to hold a 100% record, do you know what I mean? Like say I played 80 and I was on 100% record pass completion, I'd be like fair, that's decent. But we need to find out how many passes there was. But I do think it was more than you think. Yeah, all right.

I think you should just take it. I'll just take it. I think you should just take it. It was a take it. I think you should just take it. It was a good half, I enjoyed it, it was a good half. You smashed it and Lucy, a stellar game for you. You and LJ, it was like telepathy on the pitch. No, I think we just give her the ball. Yeah.

And then we look good. Oh, what, so you're not telepathy, just to be clear, you're not telepathic then? To be clear, we go, where's LJ? Give her the ball, run. And that seems to be a good method, so's working for you that worked for us last night one of us ran on the other one ran and It was energy up the pitch. I'm not gonna lie. You actually need to ask to anyone her word is for lj

Oh, what's your word for lj? I actually said this in the diary room and Lafond, Jalant. What word do you think that is? You know it. It's a real word, but she's- To describe LJ, I would call it Lafondelante. How she's super chill. And one day I was like, what does it- Oh, nonchalant. Yeah.

Lafondelant. I made it up. Made it up. It sounds French, non? Yes. Lafondelant. And everyone knew what I meant straight away. And no one could think what the word was, what she was saying, but we knew exactly what she meant.

I had to go into another place in my brain to find it. But yeah, she's very Lefongelon. Yeah, she is. When I was watching her, I was like, if you took her face out of context, you wouldn't know she was playing football because she seems, remains very Lefongelon when she's playing. But I mean, it was incredible from you two like what a game you must be feeling proud of yourselves today yeah I'm tired though I'm not surprised hun yeah but no we're really happy we're in a good place the

the performances have been really good these past couple games so hopefully we can continue into the quarter now. Yeah and it felt from watching because we were quite close to the side of the pitch where the girls were watching you guys and there were so many intense celebrations even in the warm-ups it was very difficult for people to keep their eyes off the pitch which is such a nice energy to see loads of embracing loads of shouting loads of. It must be so important to have that beautiful team spirit whilst you're here and with the other girls. Yeah, I mean we've got so many players who's like their first tournament as well. I think we've just keep telling them to enjoy everything they're doing and I think they've just, so

many of those players have embraced that and it just has a knock on. Everybody just like May is one of them. You go around May for five minutes and automatically you're happy again. Yeah, she's such a bundle of joy. But there's loads of them like that, yeah. You did actually say, Lucy, I don't know if you remember, when you came on the pub before, that actually, like, the younger, the sort of newer players

give you, like, it's like Duracell bunny energy, right? Yeah. It must be nice, and also for them to have you guys to like talk to and kind of get tips from, because it's a big deal being here. Like it's a big moment for them, irrelevant if they're on the pitch or not. Yeah. Yeah.

I mean, I think I probably get it a lot. Some of the younger players coming and asking questions and about their thoughts and feelings after games or the next day. But yeah, I mean I just try to tell them to enjoy themselves. We've all been in that position and they just have to... like it's a big moment being at Euros whether you play, you don't play. Like it's huge, everyone's part of the team and like that game against Wales, it shows that like the way that the bench

celebrates is the way the team celebrates. It gives everyone so much more energy. So yeah, I think it's funny because although we got beat against France, I think it just brought us closer together. And then you see that now going forward, it's kind of give us like a bigger boost than what people have realized, even though we actually lost again.

But like you say, England's through the group stages, you are back in another great position, another tournament to be fighting for a place in the semi-finals. That must feel brilliant. Yeah. You know, it's knackering and you're kind of going gay. Because the thing is, for you guys, it's game to game, isn't it? Yeah, yeah.

We've got a few days now to make sure that we're recovered and rested. And these are the days where you really bond together as a team you fill your time doing different bits and bobs and you spend a lot of time together away from the pitch but yeah it's we're definitely looking forward to the next game I think even though they come thick and fast you you just buzzing for the next one and I feel like on the pitch we're in a really good place and off it as well we're really together and yeah I mean I'm excited for anyway. And we're back in Zurich. Oh yeah we love it here. Do you love it? Yeah, we were so excited to get back after the game, everyone was so excited to get back to the hotel, back to

where we know everything. Like, Zurich's like our little home town now. Yeah. And we're playing at that stadium again for the quarter final, which is obviously where we played two of our group games. Yeah. So I think like, yeah like, we've kind of made our little Wembley. What's been your faves about Zurich? Because I haven't had either of you on, I don't think, since we've been here. I've enjoyed going to the lake, swimming in the lake. Yeah, that's been nice.

Yeah. Imagine doing that in the Thames, you just would never. Like, you would never. You would never. The idea of getting into the lake kind of was freaking me out. And then you look in, it's like, oh, it's so's so clear and like you feel like when you come out of it, you actually feel quite clean It's improved my skin and my hair. Oh I feel like if I lived here, I'd look 10 years younger. Perhaps I should move here. Is there anything else? What Lucy?

What's been your fave about Zurich? Yeah, I was gonna say the lake. I think that's what our families are enjoying the most I think that's nice because they've they the most. I think that's nice, because they've been out here for so long as well. You sometimes forget that they need to enjoy themselves on their holiday. So, yeah, seeing all our families, they've been going out playing paddle

and going for runs and 5K runs, going in the lake. And doing all sorts of stuff, haven't they? Been doing more than us. But I think, and then obviously they come to all our games and things. But yeah, I think the lake and doing all sorts of stuff. Been doing more than us. But I think, and then obviously they come to all our games and things. But yeah, I think the lake, just Zurich itself has got great coffee shops, the little trams.

So good. Have you been taking the tram? Yeah. Imagine. Oh, I haven't. Imagine if a fan got on the tram and just saw Lucy Bronze. I had to get on the tram.

I went with Grace and Jess Park the other day on the tram and they know all the The tram routes and everything. They know all those. So they were like come on Lucy. We'll show you where to go Because they're old like Dora the explorers then yeah. Yeah, well, that's good. You've got to have some Dora's Yeah, Maya's the biggest Dora. Yeah, Maya's probably got a map of like Zurich in her head. She knows everything. She goes on the walks doesn't she? Yeah. I've seen her. Yeah. Walking wild in the streets. Yeah. Just wild lionesses all about all about Zurich. Then she's in like the woodlands and she's at a waterfall and she's in one lake, this lake. She'll probably swim across the lake. Good girl. Yeah. Good

for her. I can't do it., but each to their own. Exactly. Lucy, you like puzzles, don't you? Because I think it was Meia that was telling me that she was getting involved in a puzzle of hers. I love puzzles. Well, I've just seen Hannah Hampton finishing it now. You did have a go at it. I went over to help her and I thought, nah.

Not for you. So you went over, picked one piece. I can't. And just went, nah, it don't fit. No, and it's... I've got no patience. I'm good at like, I've got these ones that I do on my iPad, but it's like only a hundred pieces, so they're quite big.

But then, what's that, a thousand pieces? Not a lot of time for that. You do, I, to be fair, it takes me about three months, and I'm not joking when I say I sit at home with a head torch on doing a puzzle whilst watching crime documentaries. But all these lot are proper into it like Hannah and Lucy and... Meia's got into it, she said she wouldn't like it and now she loves it.

Yeah it's because she's competitive. Once you get hooked in it's like oh I'm going to win this game against myself that's a giant all-star. We had that before the Netherlands game, me, Miesh and Meia were sat and we were like we have to finish this section before the game otherwise we can't leave. Which is perfect. Lionesses don't play their Swiss game because they're finishing a puzzle. That would actually be quite a good excuse I'd say. I'm sure Serena would be fine with that. Oh yeah she'd be great yeah. By the way I loved hearing about you chatting about the tune. Oh and they're

like booing me. Because it was my first experience and I was like, what are they doing? Yeah, what has she done? And then they're like, no, they're saying toon. It's took me a while to understand. No, but it's actually quite sick when you flip it because then it's just everyone's going toon. Yeah, no, it is good now that I know they're not booing. Yeah, the first time I heard it was,

must have been year old 22, and I thought, what have I done? They all hate me. No context as well, imagine you're just sat there like, yeah, but now it's getting subbed on and they're going, boo. Boo. And the other team's like, oh wow, their own side is booing them, that's insane.

But it's good we've cleared that up. But guys, maybe think of a different, I just feel like we could go, toon, and then it would be a bit less, toon. Yeah, it goes quite deep, doesn't it? Toon, toon. You know, that would be a bit less toon. Yeah, take it like it goes quite deep, doesn't it? You know, that just feels a bit less. Toon, you know, yeah, I think we could do that. Bit less like high pitch. Yeah, we're just going to get guys, everyone watching just a little bit more harmonising,

slightly bring the altos out, whichever it is. Yeah, bring the pitch up. Are these the times you can draw on your tournament experience to help yourself and kind of bring yourself to the right place but also to help others in the team? I know you've mentioned that they come to you a lot at the end of games and stuff. Yeah I thought it's like that question I thought it was either the times when you draw a lot because we talked about jigsaws I was thinking. So what? So Lucy do you like drawing? Do you like drawing?

I like that that's you expected that from me because I do say weird stuff. Well, we were talking about jigsaws a second ago. Yeah. I thought drawing would be the lightly jump. I thought about drawing on that board that you like filling in. We were all watching her last night filling the board.

The match. Yeah, the results of the whole board. So you do like drawing then? I don't mind drawing. Oh, well I'm glad that we've got that, even though that wasn't my question. What was the question? No, no, just wanna talk about drawing now.

What about you, Ella, do you like drawing? I like coloring in. Perfect, I'm gonna bring some coloring in books for next time, but we'll go back to it. What I was saying was, what is it like drawing on your tournament experience whilst you're here and for the other players to come to you and be able to kind of get a reference check of like where you're at

and stuff. I think it was good like it's good when for example when we lost against France I've been in that situation before obviously Alex Greenwood had as well and it was like you know there's no need to panic and Everything's fine like you just have to play the game that's in front of you kind of thing but yeah, I think being at so many different tournaments that has definitely helped me, but it's also taught me just to Enjoy it more. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, don't Take it seriously obviously when you're supposed to but I think it's it's fine to enjoy yourself and have a laugh and because you never know like I've been I've been so lucky to come to so many tournaments not everybody gets that opportunity so you've got to enjoy it for what it is. We want

you to have fun and have a good time because it's going to make you play better like in any scenario in any workplace if you create an environment where the work the workers the people working in that are having a nice time and they're comfortable and they're happy and they're calm it's like that's a good thing. Yeah I think you definitely get the best out of people when you're enjoying it and you know you're having fun and you see that in training when we're playing small-sided games it's hard because we're so competitive so we always want to win we always want to be the best we we don't like making mistakes, but if you can get that enjoyment in the session,

then it brings out the best in everyone. And I feel like when you, you know, we've scored four goals in the first half against Wales, and that's when you can really start to enjoy the ball, try different things. When you can see even the girls coming on into the game, there's a lot less pressure on them, they're going to go out there and enjoy it.

You can feel it. Yeah, you can feel it. You can feel it when you're playing as well and you can probably see it as well when you're watching that you're having fun. Yeah, it really is something I'm so honoured to even be here to be a part of because it's so exciting as well to see the fans and the way the fans are showing up and showing out, like the energy on Sunday night was insane. Yeah the Wales fans were pretty good. Yeah they were good. And I think that brought out the best in the English fans and it was like I don't think there was a back and forth but I think there was a

bit of an energy. It was in the anthems. Yeah the bangers were bangering. That was the loudest English anthem I've heard for a long time. And it was definitely because Wales started it off loud so we followed it. Well time flies when you're having fun. Thank you so much to Ella and Lucy for being with us on That Lioness's podcast, connected by EE. And I hope the next few days of recovery are super chill and enjoyable and we are sending loads of positivity and clicks.

Thank you. Clicks your way. That wasn't... no. No that's that made me... and cut. Now I'm just getting absolutely... you know what? Rib me. I don't even care. We will be back tomorrow to look ahead to the quarterfinals match against Sweden. Make sure you are subscribed and following absolutely everywhere you possibly can be because you don't want to miss it. Bye! Bye!