Lily Yohannes reflects on Champions League final loss despite family pride

Lily Yohannes, 18, found little cause for pride in her team’s 4-0 Champions League final defeat against FC Barcelona, but her family and friends celebrated her performance. OL Lyonnes suffered the heavy loss in Oslo as Esmee Brugts’ Barcelona side dominated the match.

Her relatives expressed immense pride in Yohannes’ progress, despite the result. Born in the United States, she moved to the Netherlands at age 10 and developed into a promising midfielder, joining Ajax before securing a move to eight-time Champions League winners OL Lyonnes this season.

The final took place in rainy Oslo, where early fan turnout was sparse. Barcelona supporters outnumbered OL Lyonnes fans initially, but attendance swelled as kickoff approached. The Yohannes family, including her father and manager Daniel, traveled together to support her.

Daniel Yohannes described the tension of the occasion, saying he felt both proud and nervous as he transported the entourage through the city ahead of the match. "It’s such a big game. I told her this is why she does it—just play and enjoy," he said.

Yohannes played a key role in the final, creating a chance for teammate Vicky Becho with a clever backheel in the penalty area. Though the effort did not lead to a goal, it showcased her technical ability. OL Lyonnes’ Ada Hegerberg, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner, praised Yohannes’ potential. "She has the quality to reach a very high level," Hegerberg said.

Head coach Jonatan Giráldez echoed the sentiment, calling Yohannes "incredibly good and very humble" while emphasizing her eagerness to improve. Yet for Yohannes, the immediate pain of defeat overshadowed the praise. "It’s nice to hear, but it still hurts too much right now," she admitted.

Daniel Yohannes struck a forward-looking tone after the match. "She had a great season and they can still win the league title on Friday. This is tough, but I’m sure this isn’t her last Champions League final. We’ll go back to the drawing board and stay focused—this is a learning process," he said.