England's Beth Mead on playing against her girlfriend at Euro 2025 and missing their dog Myle.
England v Netherlands at Euro 2025
Venue: Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich Date: Wednesday 9 July, 17:00 BST
Coverage: Watch on BBC One, iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
"For once we will not be friends," Netherlands forward Vivianne Miedema said before a crunch match against England at Euro 2025 on Wednesday - and her girlfriend Beth Mead.
Defending champions England will be out of the tournament if they lose to the Netherlands and France avoid defeat to Wales in the second round of group D games in Switzerland.
So what will happen if Miedema sends her partner packing in Zurich?
"I don't think she'll speak to me for a bit," she said. "But it's tough. I know I'm with Beth, but I also have some of my best friends in that team.
"It's part of football. It's part of the game."
Miedema said the couple had played against each other many times, with Mead on the winning side more often than not.
"I've probably been on the other end of it [more]. I'll be happy for us if we get through," the 28-year-old said.
"We both know what we're going through. It's a very important tournament. I don't know if she will start or be a substitute. As a Dutch player, I will do everything possible to win the game."
Mead had said it was "inevitable" the couple would have been drawn against each other at the Euros.
"We're both very, very competitive and professional. We're both excited for the tournament and to be able to play in it again," Arsenal forward Mead said.
Manchester City striker Miedema celebrated scoring her 100th international goal as the Netherlands beat Wales 3-0 in their opening fixture, but Mead's England lost to France to put pressure on the Lionesses when the couple come face to face.
They have been in a relationship since 2022, have each enjoyed Euros success, with Miedema winning it in 2017 and Mead five years later.
They both missed the 2023 World Cup after suffering anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries within a month of each other at the end of 2022.
Both have battled back to full fitness for Euro 2025. They regularly communicate with one another but football chat is strictly limited.
"We keep in contact but when it gets closer to our games, we don't talk football whatsoever," Mead added.
"Obviously we want each other to do well but not against each other!"
One subject they do talk a lot about is their dog Myle, whom they welcomed into their family when they were recovering from their ACL injuries.
Mead was fortunate as Myle (pronounced My-lee) was allowed to stay with her during England's pre-Euros preparations at St George's Park.
"She's like our little mini-mascot," Mead said of Myle, a working cocker spaniel.
"The girls and staff love her. It's been great to have her here."
Myle had no shortage of offers for cuddles and walks and became the unintended star of a Lionesses photoshoot and also made an appearance on a podcast.
But she did not make her way to Euro 2025 and is instead being looked after by a dog sitter while her owners are away.
They are not the only couple who had the potential to face each other in the group stages in Switzerland.
Denmark captain Pernille Harder played against her wife-to-be Magdalena Eriksson's Sweden in the opening group C match.
Harder played the full match, but Eriksson was an unused substitute as Sweden won 1-0.
- Download your Euro 2025 wallchart
- The 16 confirmed squads for Euro 2025
- Euro 2025 TV & BBC radio schedule
Category: General Sports
