'We've partied more than we played football': England's triumphant Lionesses toast Euros glory

England's triumphant Lionesses toasted their Euros win with fans in a victory parade on Monday – as captain Leah Williamson joked they'd "partied more than we've played football" in the 24 hours since winning the trophy.

The Lionesses were crowned European champions on Sunday evening after they dramatically beat Germany 2-1 in extra time at Wembley.

The victorious squad made their first public appearance as European champions in front of 7,000 jubilant England fans in London's Trafalgar Square.

Skipper Williamson hailed England manager Sarina Wiegman as the “missing ingredient” for the team, adding that the players had “partied more than they had played football” in the last day.

She added: "What we've done for women and young girls that can look up and inspire to be us.

"I think England have hosted an incredible tournament and we've changed the game in this country and hopefully across Europe and across the world. But we said we wanted to make our legacy about winning and that's what we did".

Chloe Kelly’s winning goal on Sunday was still fresh in the memory as families arrived as she said: "I ain't stopped dancing, my feet just keep going.

"Everyone's absolutely buzzing. We had a good night last night but some of us were a bit worse for wear this morning".

Her teammate Rachel Daly then took the microphone and began singing the Tina Turner song River Deep Mountain High as the others cheered behind her.

Watch: Lionesses arrive in Trafalgar Square to greet fans after Euro 2022 victory

Flags were waving and chants were already beginning well over two hours before those in attendance were even going to get a glimpse of the European champions.

There were audible boos, however, when London mayor Sadiq Khan took to the stage to open the event, before fans began cheering when he said the team had arrived.

The momentous occasion marked England's first big win since the 1966 World Cup, and looks to inspire a generation in ensuring the popularity of women's football keeps rising.

Read more: Chloe Kelly's tribute to US women's football star Brandi Chastain in goal celebration

Viewing figures proved the impact the team has had on the nation, with more than 17 million people tuning in to watch them clinch victory.

It makes it the most watched women’s football game in UK television history and the most-watched TV event of the year.

Lindsay Parslow, 32, said the Lionesses’ win on Sunday was a “big thing for women’s football”.

Kate Wilkins, 52, and her daughter Isabel Wilkins, 14, and Jo Bellotti, 55, and her daughter Mils Bellotti, 15, all from Bath, are at the fanzone after watching the final on Sunday night.

Both Isabel and Mils play football, with Mils recently joining Bristol City.

Mils said: “It was an amazing experience, it was an amazing atmosphere. The crowd was insane.

“We’ve been football fans most of our lives but it helps seeing that we can achieve that too.”

Ms Wilkins said: “We’re excited about how inspiring it’s going to be for everybody.”

Ms Bellotti said: “I’ve always loved football. And I wasn’t allowed to play it at school. So to go from that to sit in in a sellout 87,000 capacity stadium, watching women play at that level and bringing home the European Cup was just amazing. I never thought I’d see it in my lifetime, to be honest. It’s quite emotional.”

“It’s more out there, more noticed – because it wasn’t before. And let’s be honest, they beat the men!”

Ms Parslow, from Rochester, Kent, was in Trafalgar Square for the celebrations alongside her partner and sons, aged 10 and 12.

She said she thinks her sons, who are “big football fans”, will now start taking more notice of women’s football.