The proper English mantra & how its lifting Lionesses

Georgia Stanway scored in the 4-0 win over the Netherlands on Wednesday

The Lionesses have adopted a new mantra - proper English.

Its a phrase thats been repeated by players in post-match interviews and press conferences, while manager Sarina Wiegman has referred to it herself.

But what does it actually mean and how have England used it to drive their performances in the group stages of Euro 2025?

Wiegmans side are attempting to defend their title in Switzerland, but got off to the worst possible start with a 2-1 defeat by France in Group D.

It was a disappointing performance, but the players bounced back to beat the Netherlands 4-0 and revive their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.

The phrase was first used by their 2023 World Cup captain Millie Bright in February when she described their victory over Spain as proper English.

Defensively solid, tenacious out of possession and dangerous going forward, it was England coming close to a complete performance in the Womens Nations League.

It was also the perfect response to an underwhelming 1-1 draw with Portugal a few days earlier.

"After the last game, we wanted to be even more connected. We spoke about just being proper English," said Chelsea defender Bright at the time.

"I mean that fight, and that desire to defend for each other, to work hard for each other and to be hard to beat. Its so important to be hard to beat."

Wiegman said the team had "fought for every yard" and it is those messages that are now being repeated in Switzerland.

In the press conference before the crucial Netherlands game, midfielder Georgia Stanway vowed to show a proper England performance following the France defeat.

After the victory, Lucy Bronze likened the display from defensive duo Jess Carter and Alex Greenwood - and their team work - as demonstrating exactly that.

So where did the mantra come from?

"We speak about it a lot. After that disappointing result [against France] it was a bit more reinforced," said England forward Lauren Hemp.

"We took a step back and remembered why we were all here and how we got here and the journeys that we have been on. We touched on that a lot.

"Were here to win and we want to do that. It showed the mentality of the group that we were able to bounce back in the way that we did.

"We didnt just beat them 1-0, we beat them convincingly and put in a great performance [and one] that this England team wanted to show.

"Its about that fight in us, that we all have, and will show in different ways. Everyone on that pitch did their jobs."

Send it long, if in doubt, kick it out and get stuck in are the types of phrases you will hear in playgrounds and grassroots clubs across the country.

While the Spanish have their tiki-taka, the English have route one football.

Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton produced such goods in the win over the Netherlands, playing a perfect long ball to Alessia Russo, who teed up Lauren James for Englands opener. It set the tone for a dominant display.

Its not just the Lionesses who strive to play to their identity. The Football Association hired a manager for the mens team who continued to instill the fundamentals of the English DNA, bringing in ex-Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, despite his rich German philosophy.

With Dutchwoman Wiegman in charge, however, the Lionesses DNA has morphed slightly. Their English fight remains, but their style has adapted. There is no rigid 4-4-2 with this team, but a midfield three, and sometimes three at the back.

They are more possession-based and attempt to build up play from the back, using Keira Walsh as a pivot in midfield.

If anything, Wiegmans side strive for total football - a Dutch identity from the Johan Cruyff era - a dynamic and creative playing style, which relies on the versatility of players.

But in order to do that, Englands basics must remain.

Stanways rallying cry earlier this week was to "stop talking" and do their business on the pitch.

"Sometimes its about blocking out the noise, getting on the pitch and getting stuck in," she explained.

England striker Russo was one of the standout performers against the Netherlands, picking up three assists.

Asked what being proper English meant to her, she said afterwards: "It means well work hard until we cant run any more and stick together.

"We know that we are very dominant on the ball. We wanted to return to our roots and we know were capable of performances like that."

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Euro 2025: Hemp ready for Englands game against Wales

England had less possession in the Netherlands tie than against France (57% compared to 52%), but they won the ball back twice as many times in the final third.

The energy from the players was clear to see, with England applying high-intensity pressure in the Netherlands final third on 87 occasions, up from 69 against France.

They won 46 out of their 48 duels, having only come out on top in 37 out of 89 in the French encounter.

James dribbled past players at will to provide the creativity, while Ella Toone snuck into pockets of space to link up with the frontline.

The versatility was there too as James, who started as a number 10 against France, played out on the right wing, while Carter moved to centre-back and Greenwood went to left-back.

And yet mixed among the flair was the proper English traits of hard work, tough tackling, caution and countless crosses into the box.

Hemp said discussions this week, reminding each other of their roots, what it took to get here and their personal stories, played a valuable part in the Dutch success, which has left them now needing to beat Wales on Sunday to confirm a last-eight place.

"We want to find out everything that we can do. Theyre our family here and were together as a group," added the Manchester City forward.

"Its been important. You can know every single bit about someone to help you through everything."