It's time for us to take you through England's far from straightforward journey to the final in Basel.

After a disappointing start to their title defence, the Lionesses scored 10 goals in two games to book their spot in the quarter-finals.

• France 2-1 England
• England 4-0 Netherlands
• England 6-1 Wales

Image source, Getty Images

For England duo Ella Toone and Beth Mead, Euro 2025 has been particularly difficult.

It is the first major tournament both have played since losing a parent, with Mead losing her mum, June, to ovarian cancer in January 2023, while Toone's dad, Nick, was diagnosed with prostate cancer and died in September 2024.

"We were talking about him only the other day as a family," Toone's boyfriend Joe Bunney told BBC Sport. "Nick would've loved this.

"The inspiration Nick gave us to support Ella in the way he did was great. Hopefully one more step and we can win the Euros for him. Every goal she scores, every game, he's watching over her.

"For Ella, it's really important the people she has around her. Beth Mead as well. They're going through a similar thing. It's nice for them to have each other and they are so strong to get through what they've been through in a football season and then go to the Euros."

Image source, Getty Images

We are under three hours until kick-off in Basel.

I don't know about you but I am nervous!

Also got a strange feeling in me that England win 2-1. Make of that what you will.

A bit of information for those of you who are heading out to watch tonight's game:

Pubs are allowed to stay open until 01:00 BST after the final tonight.

Read more here

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter in Basel

To reach one major tournament final is special. To reach the final in all five major tournaments at which you have managed is extraordinary.

Only Sarina Wiegman has done it.

The Dutchwoman will be hoping to lead England to back-to-back European titles when they face Spain.

"It says a lot that when the Netherlands are out of a tournament, there are no questions asked that I will stay to follow England - that's how big Wiegman is," says Dutch journalist Rivkah op het Veld.

"Everyone wants to know everything about her."

So what makes Wiegman so successful? Read more from some who know her best.

Image source, Getty Images

Rachel Brown-Finnis
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Breakfast

I think everyone will be focused more on the 1-0 win in February. They've gone on a 10-game winning streak since then. It's more about reinstilling the belief that England can beat Spain. You can draw on revenge but it's more about what you have to do to beat Spain. It was being defensively astute and beating Spain on the counter-attack. I fully expect England to be able to go out and really be able to test Spain.

On paper, Spain go in as favourites, but England have the knowledge they have been there, done it and conquered a really world-class team.

England captain Leah Williamson says she would be "hesitant to rule a clear underdog" for the Euro 2025 final between world champions Spain and defending European champions England on Sunday.

Many view Spain as favourites, but England have won against Spain once already this year and have pedigree in the Euros.

Will the Lionesses silence their doubters tonight?

Emily Salley
BBC Sport in Basel

You’ve heard of the Three Lions, but here’s four (kind of).

Claire and Jane printed out photos of their friends Mel and Sheila, and are swapping the pictures of their faces around, giving them equal time to shine as the third lion.

Sheila, who followed England at the World Cup in 2023, is out in Australia, while Mel is back at home in England - although she did get to see the Lionesses bring the Euros home last time.

“We don’t leave anyone out!”

For Spain's midfield maestro, Aitana Bonmati, it has been quite the few weeks.

The two-time Ballon d'Or winner was in hospital days before the start of Euro 2025 with viral meningitis with her tournament in serious doubt.

Fast forward a few weeks and she's fired her side to the final of Euro 2025.

Amazing.

Image source, Getty Images

Spain's Esther Gonzalez leads the way in the race for the Golden Boot with four goals - one ahead of team-mate Alexia Putellas.

England's Ella Toone, Georgia Stanway, Lauren James and Michelle Agyemang are further behind on two goals each.

Image source, Getty Images

It took Spain until the 113th minute to seal their place in the final as Aitana Bonmati tucked an excellent effort past Ann-Katrin Berger to beat Germany 1-0.

That game was tight, but it hasn't been similar in most of the rest of their fixtures. Switzerland held out for 66 minutes in the quarter-finals but ended up being beaten 2-0.

In the group stages, Spain were dominant.

They won 3-1 against Italy and thrashed Belgium 6-2 and Portugal 5-0.

It's been an impressive tournament so far for the 2023 World Cup winners. England will hope it's one of Spain's closer games this afternoon.

Today's match leads the Spanish sports newspapers:

Marca's front page reads "Spain. World and Nations League champions. Looking for their first European Championship to continue making history - Going for the triple crown"

Sport's says: "History awaits you"

AS' says: "On to the missing one"

Mundo Deportivo reads: "To make history"

Image source, Mundo Deportivo

Charlotte Coates
BBC Sport

My cat Freddy says he's quite nervous for the final after some bad memories from the World Cup two years ago.

He's got his lucky top on though!

You can hear the crashing rain of the current thunderstorm in Basel in the background of 5 Live's coverage from Switzerland.

It doesn't look like the conditiions will improve much for this evening's game.

Former England captain Steph Houghton says "I remember playing in the 2017 Euros in weather like this and we won 2-0."

Mollie Perella and Srosh Khan
BBC Newsbeat

There’s another big tournament for England’s women this summer – in rugby union.

BBC Newsbeat met members of the world number one squad, known as the Red Roses, as they head into preparations for next month’s Rugby World Cup.

Ellie Kildunne was part of the team that won a fourth consecutive Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam, and the 25-year-old can relate to the pressure the Lionesses will face later.

“You know what they are going through,” she says.

“It’s a different-shaped ball, a different sport but it’s a tournament, the expectation is something the Red Roses can align to.”

Ellie will be backing the other England team on Sunday when they take on Spain in the final of the Euros.

“They are hugely inspiring,” she says.

“Go smash it, we’re all behind you - and have a few screamers in there.”

Exeter Chiefs player Maddie Feaunati, 23, who’s heading out to her first World Cup this year, says her message to the Lionesses is to “keep inspiring the nation”.

“We’ll be watching,” she says.

Tim Race
BBC Hereford & Worcester

The Morris family from Hereford - Dad Kevin, mum Kelly and daughter, Amelia, 16, and son, Ethan, 13 are soaking up the atmosphere at Lionesses HQ.

Kevin has made it back in time for the final after having to make a 1500 mile round trip back home to drop off the campervan they'd been travelling to all the games in but had only hired until Thursday.

Image source, Kevin Morris