Why ‘exhausted’ Lionesses see benefits to Olympic failure – with Lucy Bronze explaining next ‘big’ aim after missing out on Team GB duty in Paris

The Lionesses are responsible for Team GB sitting out an international showpiece in Paris. Sarina Wiegman’s side failed to quality for the Nations League finals, meaning that there will be no British representation at the football tournament staged on French soil later this year.

There is understandable disappointment in the England camp that they were unable to book tickets for a gold medal bid. But attention is now being switched towards the defence of a European Championship crown – with another quest for continental glory set to begin when Euro 2025 qualification gets underway in April.

Barcelona star Bronze, who will form part of England’s plans, has told FIFA’s official website of sitting out Paris Games in 2024: “I think we really exhausted ourselves during the World Cup, both as individuals and as a team. And for us, although we’d rather be at the Olympics, this gives us time to rest, regroup and refocus. The EURO is less than a year-and-a-half away and we are the European champions, so want to make sure we qualify and keep hold of that trophy. It meant the world to us to win that, and we’ve got a chance to keep our name on the trophy. That’s something big to aim for.”

The Euro 2025 qualifiers draw will take place on March 5, with England in Pot 2 of Group A. Six matchdays will be staged through to the middle of July, with those missing out on automatic qualification spots set to take in play-off dates from October through to the end of the calendar year.