Ella Toone & Alessia Russo reveal real reason for looking at Germany note in Euro 2022 final

England star Alessia Russo went viral in the summer when she sneaked a look at a note featuring tactical instructions passed between German players during the Euro 2022 final.

Before Russo unapologetically peered over Sara Doorsoun’s shoulder to see what was written on the paper that had come from Germany boss Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, England and Manchester United teammate Ella Toone had also tried to steal a quick look from Kathrin Hendrich.

It was a bizarre moment that served to further endear the pair to England fans up and down the country for their comical antics.

Looking back on that moment now, they have together revealed that it was nothing particularly deep and in reality just an attempt to wind up their opponents as much as possible.

“Everyone kept asking me this after and from what I remember – obviously it was very spur of the moment – but it was tactical information,” Russo said in an episode of TeamViewer Diaries.

“It wasn’t like a written essay in German. I think we were just being annoying.”

Toone chimed in: “I can’t remember seeing anything on the note. I definitely didn’t think, ‘Oh, I’ll read it and tell everyone what was going on’.

“I just thought I’ll be an idiot and see if we can annoy them a bit more.”

Russo and Toone were relative newcomers to the senior Lionesses squad prior to the Euros, but had become household names by the end of the tournament.

Neither actually started a single game, yet both came off the bench every time to have meaningful involvement – often 30 minutes or more. Russo scored four goals in total, including an iconic backheel in the semi-final against Sweden, while Toone netted in both the quarter-final against Spain to send it to extra-time and the opening goal of the final against Germany.

The reaction to the pair each time they came off the bench was audibly louder as fans fell in love with the best friends, who are a major part of the future of the Lionesses.

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