Arizona Tribune - Williamson hails Arsenal's 'magic' women's Champions League triumph

Stina Blackstenius scored the only goal in Saturday's final as Arsenal won their first European title in 18 years, upsetting the odds to deny a Barcelona side chasing a third successive Champions League title.

But Williamson, standing in front of some 10,000 Arsenal fans outside the club's Emirates Stadium in London on Monday as she and her team-mates celebrated their success with a trophy parade, insisted she always had the belief that Renee Slegers' side could so something special.

"I've been saying the whole time, all my team-mates will tell you all I kept saying was 'do you believe in magic?'," said England captain Williamson as she addressed the crowd. "That's what I could feel.

"I knew it was going to happen against Lyon, I knew it was going to happen in the final. And magic delivered."

Williamson, a lifelong Gunners fan, joined the London club at the age of eight and was a mascot when Arsenal last won the women's Champions League in 2007.

Interviewed on stage by friend Alex Scott, the scorer of Arsenal's 2007 Champions League-winning goal, the emotional 28-year-old defender said of Monday's celebrations: "We knew it was going to be a special day but when we all walked out today we said 'this is one of those moments'. This is one of the moments I'll tell my grandkids about.

"I have been educated my whole life and seen with my own two eyes how successful Arsenal have been, especially Arsenal women. All I ever wanted to do was be a part of it. It's very special.

"My club. My Arsenal. Champions League winners. European champions."

J.Gomez--AT