29 December 2023 , 22:30
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England trio Mary Earps, Millie Bright and Lauren Hemp have been recognised in the New Year's Honours List for their part in helping the Lionesses reach a first-ever Women's World Cup final in the summer.
Bright, who captained the team in the absence of fellow defender Leah Williamson, has been made an OBE while goalkeeper Earps and forward Hemp become MBEs.
Sarina Wiegman's England navigated a tricky and competitive World Cup Down Under to reach the tournament's final, but a first-half strike from Real Madrid left-back Olga Carmona proved the difference as Spain claimed an historic World Cup title over the European champions.
The Lionesses were bolstered by the reinstatement of Bright, who made a remarkable return to fitness having suffered a serious injury with Chelsea earlier in the year.
Bright's maturity and poise in the backline and in the locker room played a significant role in helping England reach a first World Cup final since 1966. The Blues defender was also shortlisted in this year's Ballon d'Or awards, finishing 11th in the final results.
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Meanwhile Earps, 30, memorably denied Spain striker Jennifer Hermoso from the spot to keep England's hopes of a comeback victory alive. The Manchester United goalkeeper also collected the tournament's Golden Glove award, having conceded only four goals throughout the tournament.
Earps was recently named BBC's Sport Personality of the Year to cap a sensational year for the shot-stopper, who was the subject of a world-record bid for a women's goalkeeper earlier in the year and finished in the top five of the Ballon d'Or awards.
Lauren Hemp, Mary Earps and Millie Bright were part of the England squad that lost 1-0 to Spain in the Women's World Cup final (Getty Images)Hemp was a key figure in England's attack as she and Arsenal forward Alessia Russo honed a crucial partnership as the tournament wore on.
After an underwhelming opening performance against Haiti and being assigned to the bench against Denmark, Hemp - relishing a new position alongside Russo up top - went on to score three goals in three games, including a crucial equaliser against Colombia in the quarter-final and England's second against Australia in the semis.
Bright, Earps and Hemp join a slew of Lionesses who have been recognised for their unprecedented success in the last two years, including last year's honourees Leah Williamson (OBE), Beth Mead (MBE), Lucy Bronze (MBE) and Ellen White (MBE).
The Lionesses struggled to maintain their dominance during the inaugural Nations League campaign in the fall. Following a dramatic final match, England were denied a place at next summer's Olympic Games in Paris after being pipped by the Netherlands for their group's top spot.