WSL Oneshots

Lifting the Trophy

The final whistle blew, and the entire stadium erupted in joyous celebration. England’s Lionesses had done it—they were UEFA Women's Euro 2022 Champions. Chloe Kelly stood there, still in awe, as her teammates embraced one another, their smiles wide and their voices full of emotion. But the true moment of triumph was about to unfold.

Leah Williamson, the captain, walked forward to lift the trophy. The weight of the moment seemed to settle over her like a gentle wave, her eyes momentarily glistening with pride and relief. The roar of the fans became deafening as Leah grasped the gleaming golden trophy and hoisted it high above her head. The sight of it, the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice, made the crowd go wild.

The fans in the stands were singing, their voices united in song, echoing across the stadium like a wave of pure energy. The words of “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond rang out, the anthem of the tournament, as the Lionesses stood together, arms around one another. It wasn’t just a song anymore; it had become a celebration of the team’s journey, their unity, and the triumph they had just achieved.

“Sweet Caroline, ba-ba-ba!” The fans belted out with pride, and Chloe felt her chest swell as she looked around. This was her team. This was her family.

But that wasn’t the only chant filling the air. “Beth Mead’s on fire, your defence is terrified!” rang out from the stands, an affectionate and powerful tribute to one of the standout players of the tournament. Beth Mead had been brilliant, scoring goals and playing with the heart of a champion. As the chant echoed through the stadium, Chloe saw Beth’s face light up, a grin stretching from ear to ear. The fans had adopted this chant early in the competition, and now, hearing it sung with such passion, it felt like the perfect tribute to Beth’s incredible performances.

The stadium was alive with energy, a sea of red and white waving flags, scarves, and banners, each one representing the fans who had believed in the Lionesses from the start. The noise, the music, the chants—it was all a blur of emotion for Chloe as she watched Leah pass the trophy to each of her teammates, taking a moment to revel in the feeling of victory.

“England!” the fans chanted, calling out their team's name as though it was a battle cry.

Chloe joined in, her voice rising with the crowd. She could barely believe this was real. Every sacrifice, every moment of doubt, had led to this. The golden trophy gleamed in the hands of her teammates as they danced around, laughing and soaking in the sheer joy of their achievement.

As the team gathered around Leah, holding their medals close to their chests, Chloe felt a tap on her shoulder. It was her mum, holding a phone with a video of the goal Chloe had scored, her celebration spinning the shirt in the air. She smiled, her heart full. The connection between her and her family had been a constant throughout her career, and now, it was a shared victory.

But as she looked back toward Leah, who was still holding the trophy high, Chloe realized that this wasn’t just about one player, one goal, or one moment. It was about the entire team. The collective effort, the belief in each other, and the love of the game had brought them here.

The fans continued to chant. The words blurred together with the beat of “Sweet Caroline,” and Chloe felt a wave of gratitude for every single person who had supported them along the way. They had made history. And now, as the Lionesses celebrated, the world knew that women’s football had truly arrived.