Clicking celebrations & group chats - how England are bonding

England finished runners-up in Group D with two wins from three matches

WhatsApp group chats, a new clicking celebration and a day in the life of Beth Mead - England are doing all they can to bond as a team off the pitch.

Having booked their spot in the quarter-finals, the defending champions are gearing up for Thursdays match against Sweden (20:00 BST).

The Lionesses overcame a heavyweight group stage, suffering defeat by France but bouncing back to record emphatic victories over the Netherlands and Wales.

It was no surprise then, to see captain Leah Williamson relaxed in front of the media on Tuesday, while forward Chloe Kelly spoke glowingly about the squads "finishers".

With Sweden up next, can England maintain their momentum with the help of some fun distractions off the pitch?

Substitute Aggie Beever-Jones scored in the 89th minute against Wales

England enjoyed themselves in their 6-1 win over Wales on Sunday as six players got their names on the scoresheet.

Among them were substitutes Mead and Aggie Beever-Jones and their celebrations caught the eye as they ran over to the bench, ran along the substitutes who were lined up on the touchline and clicked their fingers in the air.

Keira Walsh, who started in midfield and won the player of the match award, was left in the dark as to what it meant - but forward Kelly later had an explanation.

"We have a little group of us in a [WhatsApp] group chat - the finishers as you call it - and [they were] positive clicks," said the Arsenal winger.

"You probably saw we were all clicking, thinking what are they doing? But it was just a positive click. We said: If one of us comes on and scores, lets do that.

"Its just about sticking together and being at our best when called upon, making sure were prepared to go on the pitch to do a great job."

Kelly said Walsh would be "kept in the loop" from now on, but the group chat was created by Manchester United captain Maya le Tissier for the substitutes.

Englands super-subs made a big impact at Euro 2022 - Kelly scored the winner in the final against Germany, after Ella Toone had lobbed goalkeeper Merle Frohms in the same match. Alessia Russo produced a memorable backheel finish in the semi-final win over Sweden.

"Some of us didnt have the pictures of the click celebration so thats where the group chat came from - to send each other the pictures," added Kelly.

"I was saying to Lotte [Wubben-Moy] that throughout the tournaments that weve been playing in, the group of finishers have been incredible."

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When the celebration makes it out of the group chat...

It is not the only WhatsApp group chat on the go, as Lucy Bronze revealed last week they still use the one they had at Euro 2022.

Recently retired goalkeeper Mary Earps has been among those to message the squad in Switzerland, as well as former striker Ellen White.

"Its just mostly good luck, well done or we believe in you," said Williamson when asked about the messages.

"For them to reinforce their belief in the team and want to be part of it, that speaks volumes of the group.

"That group chat was originally created for the [Euro 2022] celebrations, so every time it pops up, its not a bad thing.

"Most group chats we archive or mute - but not that one. Were very tame though. I wish we had more banter - but thats not going to come from me."

Leah Williamson (left) and Beth Mead (right) won the Champions League with Arsenal this season

The banter was there from Williamson this week, however, as she joked with the media in the build-up to Englands quarter-final tie with Sweden, dismissing suggestions that ABBA were better than The Beatles, and stressing that nobody wanted to "kill each other yet" after several weeks together in camp.

Regularly catching up with former team-mate Jill Scott, who is out in Switzerland working as a BBC pundit, is one of the many things Williamson has done to switch off from football during the tournament.

"We were begging for someone to employ her at the FA [Football Association] when she left just to bring her along," Williamson joked.

Having spent most of Euro 2022 sleeping in between games, the centre-back has also tried to be more sociable this time around.

She missed out on the 2023 Womens World Cup, where England reached the final, because of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, so does not want to let her experience in Switzerland pass her by.

But taking part in a day in the life of Arsenal team-mate Mead was a step too far for Williamson.

"Keira [Walsh] always says I pick up a new hobby every tournament and never follow through with it," said Williamson.

"Beth Mead was laughing at me the other day because I did the day in the life of her which meant I didnt go back to my room and I was very sociable.

"By the end of the day, I slept good. I said to her: I dont know how you do this every day. Its crazy to me - Im not that type of person."