Alexandra Palace was graced by a European champion on Monday night as England captain Leah Williamson was spotted in the crowd.
The Arsenal star became the first ever England international to lift a European Championship in the summer of 2022 when she guided the Lionesses to a 2-1 win over Germany at Wembley.
On a historic day for English football, Chloe Kelly sealed the seismic victory in extra time after Ella Toone‘s opener was cancelled out by Lina Magull, teeing up a tense climax.
But after Aston Villa hero Kelly’s strike in the 110th minute Sarina Wiegman‘s side held on to seal the title and become the first ever England team to be crowned European Champions.
Williamson would however endure a tough time with fitness, enduring a foot injury followed by an ACL issue that ruled her out of the World Cup in 2023, though the England skipper has gone on to make 15 appearances this term.
One appearance in particular appeared to catch the eye as the 27-year-old appeared on Sky Sports’ coverage of the PDC World Championship on Monday night.
Leah Williamson led the Lionesses to the European Championship title back in 2022 at Wembley
The England skipper was in the crowd at Alexandra Palace for Monday night’s darts action
With Daniel Gurney busily sinking a 180 in the fifth set of his clash with Florian Hempel Williamson was spotted lifting a sign for the cameras.
‘Henry Glover give us a wave’ her placard read as she enjoyed the festivities at one of Britain’s landmark sporting events.
It was a dramatic night on Monday, too, with former champion Rob Cross and Dave Chisnall crashing out 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 match dart against him to upset sixth seed Chisnall in an epic second-round clash decided by a sudden death leg.
Evans walked to the oche in his own personalised festive shirt to the Shakin’ Stevens hit Merry Christmas Everyone – and the Kettering ace 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 his nerve to win 3-2 after both players had missed match darts to set up a third round date with Welshman Robert Owen.
‘I’ve played a world class darts player and it’s nice to say I’ve won a game and played well. Normally it’s poo,’ Evans told Sky Sports. ‘What am I doing the other 11 months of the year?’
Almost unable to accept his status as a crowd favourite, Evans said: ‘I don’t get this treatment in my household. Why are they cheering me on – ‘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’ve made a fat guy very happy.’