- Leah Williamson is the only England captain to have lifted the Euro title
- The versatile Arsenal star was on hand for a dramatic night at Ally Pally.
Alexandra Palace was honored by a European champion on Monday night when England captain Leah Williamson was spotted in the crowd.
The Arsenal star became the first England international to lift a European Championship in the summer of 2022 when she guided the Lionesses to a 2-1 victory over Germany at Wembley.
On a historic day for English football, Chloe Kelly sealed the momentous victory in extra time after Lina Magull canceled out Ella Toone’s opener, sparking a tense climax.
But after Aston Villa hero Kelly’s goal in the 110th minute, Sarina Wiegman’s team held on to seal the title and become the first English team to be crowned European champions.
However, Williamson would have a difficult time with her fitness as she suffered a foot injury followed by an ACL problem which ruled her out of the World Cup in 2023, although the England captain has made 15 appearances. this season.
One appearance in particular caught the eye when the 27-year-old appeared on Sky Sports’ coverage of the PDC World Championship on Monday night.
Leah Williamson led the Lionesses to the 2022 European Championship title at Wembley
The England captain was in the crowd at Alexandra Palace for Monday night’s darts action.
With Daniel Gurney busy sinking a 180 in the fifth set of his clash with Florian Hempel, Williamson was seen holding up a sign for the cameras.
“Henry Glover, say hello,” his sign read as he enjoyed the festivities at one of Britain’s most iconic sporting events.
Monday was also a dramatic night, with former champion Rob Cross and Dave Chisnall falling as more seeds were scattered at Alexandra Palace.
Fifth seed Cross, the 2018 champion, lost 3-1 to Scott Williams, while Ricky Evans survived a dart against him to defeat sixth seed Chisnall in an epic second round clash decided by a sudden death stage.
Evans walked onto the oche in his own personalized festive t-shirt while listening to Shakin’ Stevens’ hit Merry Christmas Everyone, and the Kettering ace once again saved his best for the biggest tournament of the year.
Having beaten world number six Nathan Aspinall at Ally Pally 12 months ago, Evans held on to win 3-2 after both players had missed match darts to set up a third round date with the Welsh Robert Owen.
‘I have played against a world class darts player and it is good to say that I won a game and played well. It’s usually poop,” Evans told Sky Sports. ‘What am I doing the other 11 months of the year?’
Almost unable to accept his status as crowd favorite, Evans said: “I don’t get this treatment at home. Why are they cheering for me? ‘Ricky Evans, Ricky Evans’. I don’t understand it.
“I kept telling them to shut up. I’m trying to win a game here, but they were getting louder and louder. But thank you very much, you have made a fat man very happy.