Last Sunday, England won their second consecutive Euro Final, and former UNC Tar Heel Alessia Russo scored the equalizer that gave England the chance to win in PKs. It was the third former college player to score in a women’s European Championship.
Here are the three former college players who have scored in a Euro Final:
Alessia Russo (pictured above) – UNC – Scored in 2025 Euro Final vs Spain
Alessia Russo played three seasons at UNC, amassing 37 goal contributions (28g/9a). She earned All-ACC First Team honors all three seasons and helped the Heels win two ACC Championships.
Kelly Smith – Seton Hall – Scored in 2009 Euro Final vs Germany
Kelly Smith was inducted into the Seton Hall Hall of Fame in 2008 and is considered the greatest women’s soccer player in the school’s history. In three seasons, she scored a school record 76 goals in 51 matches.
Birthe Hegstad – UNC – Scored in two Euro Finals; once in 1993 vs Italy, and once in 1991 vs Germany
Birthe Hegstad played four seasons for UNC (1985-88) and had 25 career assists. She helped the Heels win three national championships (1986, 1987, and 1988).
