England’s Euro 2022 win ‘inspiration for girls and women today’

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth leads tributes after England’s women’s team beats Germany in the final to win the first major trophy.

Chloe Kelly's extra-time goal secured England's win at a sold-out Wembley on Sunday

England’s Euro 2022 football win “will be an inspiration for girls and women today, and for future generations”, Queen Elizabeth II has said after the Lionesses beat Germany 2-1 to lift their first major trophy.

Chloe Kelly’s extra-time goal secured England’s win at a sold-out Wembley on Sunday.

“Your success goes far beyond the trophy you have so deservedly earned,” the queen said in a statement on Sunday.

“You have all set an example that will be an inspiration for girls and women today, and for future generations.”

Substitute Ella Toone’s sublime chip, in front of a record crowd for any European Championships match of 87,192 at Wembley, had put England in front.

Germany’s Lina Magull levelled 11 minutes from the end of 90 minutes.

Kelly struck in extra time to give England the win, which came just over 56 years to the day since the England men defeated West Germany to win the 1966 World Cup final at Wembley.

Here is how the players, experts and the fans reacted to England’s win:

England forward Kelly: “Thank you to every single person. Honestly, it’s amazing. This is what dreams are made of. It’s unbelievable. To be here and score the winner, these girls are special, this manager is special. This is amazing. I just want to celebrate now.”

England coach Sarina Wiegman: “I think we really made a change. I think this tournament has done so much for the game but also for society and women in society in England but I also think in Europe and across the world and I hope that will make a [bigger] change too.”

England captain Leah Williamson: “I just can’t stop crying. We talk, we talk and we talk and we finally [did] it. You know what? The kids are all right. This is the proudest moment of my life. Listen, the legacy of this tournament is the change in society.”

Sri Lanka

 

With no fuel and no cash, Sri Lanka grinds to a halt

Less than a day’s worth of fuel remains, says the energy minister, as the cash-strapped nation extends school closures.

An autorickshaw driver waits in a queue hoping to get fuel near a fuel station in Colombo

Sri Lanka has less than a day’s worth of fuel left, the energy minister says, with public transport grinding to a halt as the country’s economic crisis deepens.

Power and energy minister Kanchana Wijesekera on Sunday said petrol reserves were about 4,000 tonnes, just below one day’s worth of consumption, as queues snaked through the main city of Colombo for kilometres.

The cash-strapped nation on Sunday extended school closures because there is not enough fuel for teachers and parents to get children to classrooms, with most pumping stations being without fuel for days.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Al Jazeera last week the petrol shortage will last until July 22 when the next oil shipment is expected. He said a gas deal has been secured which will ensure supplies for the next four months.

“It [fuel shortage] is a big setback to the economy and has caused lot of hardship to people. When we came in, the shortage of dollars actually contributed to this situation. We have been taking steps since then especially to get gas which will be available in the next few days, diesel and furnace oil as well,” he said.

“The issue has been petrol … and that will take a bit of time. We are hoping to get shipment of petrol by July 22 but I have asked the [concerned] minister to try to get the shipment earlier.”