England’s Toone Mourned Grandmother on Euro Final Day

Just hours before helping England clinch their second consecutive European title, Ella Toone was dealing with profound personal loss.

The 25-year-old midfielder, who started the Euro 2025 final in Basel against Spain, revealed in a post on Instagram that her grandmother, known to her as Nana Maz, died the morning of the match.

“Even in the highest of highs, life can hit you with the lowest of lows,” she wrote, honouring her “football loving, crazy, funny Nana Maz.”

Toone recalled her grandmother betting on her future when she was just six—placing money on the chance she’d one day represent England. More than two decades later, on the exact day of her death, Toone wore the national shirt and played 87 minutes in a final England won on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

“You always knew it. There isn’t enough words I can possibly say to sum up the person you were, but I’m grateful you were my nanna,” Toone added. “I have comfort in knowing she got to watch from the best seat in the house with Dad, her favourite person.”

Her father, Nick Toone, also passed away recently. Diagnosed with prostate cancer the day after Toone scored against Germany in the Euro 2022 final, he died in September last year, shortly before turning 60.

Toone admitted she didn’t “actually grieve” her father’s passing until two months later, when an injury forced her off the pitch. That time away caused her to briefly lose her connection with football.

At this summer’s tournament in Switzerland, Toone featured in every match, including group-stage goals against the Netherlands and Wales. In the final, she was substituted in the second half for Beth Mead.

Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton also endured personal grief, having lost her grandfather shortly before the final. Hampton went on to save two penalties in the decisive shootout.

Toone has now played 65 games for England, scoring 23 goals since her debut in 2021.

WRITTEN BY

George Howson

George Howson is a Futbol Chronicle contributor and accredited journalist with over 20 years of experience following international football. A member of the AIPS International Sports Press Association, George has covered matches at stadiums around the world, bringing deep knowledge and first-hand insight to every match report and analysis he writes.

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