As a proud England fan with Welsh roots, I wondered if I’d feel conflicted heading into the final Group D match at the Women’s Euros in St Gallen. But after arriving in Switzerland with my (mostly English) family and joining thousands of fans from both nations, it became clear: there was nothing to worry about. Because that’s the beauty of the women’s game — anything goes.
In the stands, there were families with one child in full England kit and another in full Wales gear. Fans wore England shirts with Welsh bucket hats, and one man turned heads in a custom-made 50/50 England–Wales shirt split right down the middle.
But beyond the outfits, what stood out most was the supportive, joyful atmosphere. When Wales scored their only goal, even England fans stood up and cheered — not out of sarcasm or rivalry, but in genuine recognition of a great moment. It was football without the tribalism, a crowd united by love for the game and respect for the players on both sides.
The final score — a decisive 6–1 win for England — didn’t dampen the mood in the Welsh section either. There was pride, singing, and applause all around. That shared spirit is what sets women’s football apart: it’s competitive, passionate, and fiercely played, but never at the expense of community. And when the whistle blew for kick-off, I knew exactly who I was supporting — but I also knew that everyone in the stadium was winning in different ways.