A county MP watched England's historic European Championship final win and said he was excited to see women's sport take the next step.
Mid Worcestershire MP Nigel Huddleston rubbed shoulders with Spice Girls and Westminster colleagues as the Lionesses beat Germany 2-1 at Wembley.
The result secured Sarina Wiegman's side the illustrious Women's Euro trophy and sports minister Huddleston is excited to see where the sport will go next.
He said: “It was incredible to be there at Wembley last night for the final and see the Lionesses soar to a magnificent victory. England women’s first ever major trophy, and the first major trophy for an England senior team in 56 years!
"The Lionesses should be immensely proud of their victory. They have proven that there is a mass audience for women's football. Last night we had the highest ever attendance at a EURO’S game, women's or men's, of 87,192!"
He added: "They've also advanced women's sport overall, inspiring a future generation of girls really enthused about sport, and football in particular.
"From the government’s side, I can tell you that there has been a deliberate and conscious focus on the strategy of how we can inspire more girls and what the legacy will be of these Euros. Women’s sport is going from strength to strength in this country!”
The @Lionesses should be immensely proud of their victory - and its legacy.
— Nigel Huddleston MP (@HuddlestonNigel) August 1, 2022
They've also advanced women's sport overall, inspired a future generation of footballers, & proven that there is a mass audience for women's football.#EURO2022 achieved record ticket sales & viewership pic.twitter.com/JVJ1bX25X6
England took the lead with just over an hour played as Ella Toone chipped the keeper following a perfect through ball from Keira Walsh.
However, the eight-time competition winners Germany were not going to go down without a fight.
A superb finish from Lina Magull levelled the score 1-1 to send the game to extra-time.
After 110 minutes of action, the Lionesses finally found a winner.
The ball bounced around in the box following a Lauren Hemp corner before Chloe Kelly managed to get a foot to it to send it rolling past the German goalline and to send the near-90,000 Wembley crowd into delirium.
A pleasure to spend time with these incredible people yesterday at @wembleystadium
— Nigel Huddleston MP (@HuddlestonNigel) August 1, 2022
It's the @FA 's Sue Hough and Sue Campbell hugging each other. pic.twitter.com/24jFHZRWU2
MP for Evesham Huddleston celebrated the match with political colleagues Nadine Dorries, culture secretary, and work and pensions secretary, Therese Coffey.
There were also some pop icons among the crowd, with Huddleston sharing selfies with Melanie C and Geri Horner (nee Halliwell) of the Spice Girls on social media.
He then headed to Trafalgar Square to continue the celebrations.
Incredible atmosphere already at the @Lionesses victory celebration event in Trafalgar Square, London.@WEURO2022 #EURO2022 pic.twitter.com/FWzOO13vTI
— Nigel Huddleston MP (@HuddlestonNigel) August 1, 2022
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