Countdown to glory continues for Lionesses as England team relax in the pool, take in the sites and dance in the dressing room ahead of World Cup Final against Spain
- England will take on Spain on Sunday in Sydney for the Women’s World Cup Final
- Sarina Wiegman’s team have been trying to impress the boss ahead of the game
England’s Lionesses are spotted relaxing by the pool, taking in Sydney’s sights and dancing in the dressing room ahead of Sunday’s big fixture.
Goalie Mary Earp’s was caught comically side-stepping as her team mates walked around her in the changing room on Lotte Wubben-Moy’s Instagram story.
Wubben-Moy also captured Alessia Russo and Ella Toone stretching in the pool as they countdown to the World Cup Final against Spain this weekend, England’s first since 1966.
Midfielder Katie Zelem can also be seen beaming as she shows off some bright blue cupcakes which were being kept in a Nike shoebox.
The Lionesses held a training session today ahead of what could prove to be the biggest game of their lives at Sunday’s World Cup Final against Spain.
Goalie Mary Earp’s was caught comically side-stepping as her team mates walked around her in the changing room on Lotte Wubben-Moy’s Instagram story
Midfielder Katie Zelem can be seen beaming as she shows off some bright blue cupcakes which were being kept in a Nike shoebox
Alessia Russo and Ella Toone stretching in the pool as they countdown to the World Cup Final against Spain this weekend, England’s first since 1966
Sarina Wiegman put the squad through their paces as the players had the opportunity to impress the manager and find a place among the 11 destined to line out on Sunday.
England enter the match as favourites to win a first Fifa World Cup since Alf Ramsey’s men beat West Germany at Wembley Stadium in 1966.
This is the first time the English senior women’s team has reached a World Cup final, although many of the squad were part of the UEFA European Women’s Championship winning team in Wembley Stadium in July 2022.
Lioness Alessia Russo has said she cannot wait to kick off England’s World Cup final after years spent rehearsing the winning strike in her childhood garden.
Russo said: ‘Obviously this is the biggest game, the one you dream about and means the most. I think it will hit when we’re in the tunnel and ready to walk out. It’s an incredible occasion, it’s been an unbelievable tournament and this is it. This is the moment we want to be in. We can’t wait.
England manager Sarina Wiegman, top left, gives tactical advice to a group of players during a training session at the Central Coast Stadium in Gosford, Australia, ahead of Sunday’s World Cup Final match against Spain
England’s goalkeepers Mary Earps and Ellie Roebuck bump fists during the training session
‘Right now all I want to do is go out, put on a performance to be proud of and obviously to win. We started this tournament wanting to win seven games and this is the message.
‘This is the last one to go and we’re really locked in.’
Maidstone-born Russo grew up watching her brothers play for the local boys’ side in East Farleigh, where she was too young to join in but would kick a ball around on the side of the pitch.
READ MORE: Sexism row over Sunday’s Women’s World Cup Final
Soon, however, the now 24-year-old was featuring for both the girls’ and boys’ teams at Bearsted FC, which meant both weekend days were often occupied with football, while Russo’s preferred school-night activity remained playing on a strip of grass at the end of her street.
It would also not be wholly inaccurate to say Russo has already lifted a World Cup.
In primary school, the summer Arsenal signing played in an inter-school ‘Mini World Cup’ and walked away with a shock victory – while representing her side’s assigned country of South Korea.
Then there were the garden tournaments where, said Russo, ‘we had to score to stay in’.
She added: ‘As a kid, growing up to think we’re playing in a World Cup in a couple of days is a special feeling. A real ‘pinch me’ moment.’
Russo admits it has not quite hit her that, just under 13 months after England lifted their first major trophy at last summer’s European championships, they could be one win away from making more history.
She said: ‘It’s been an incredible year but we’re always focused on what’s next. You never really kind of get to enjoy the moment. I’m sure I will when I get back and I’m old and grey. Right now it’s about what’s coming up and what’s there to achieve.
‘For players, obviously we’re all aware it’s a World Cup final and there’s that on the line, but as soon as you cross the line it’s just a normal game. It’s what we love to do. It’s 11 v 11 and we have to win. As soon as we step out on the pitch, we know our job and what we need to do.
‘We’re aware it’s a World Cup final but we’ll just play our game.
‘Everyone is excited but we’re very relaxed and chilled. It feels like a normal game to us which is great and shows the composure of the team. Camp has been great from the first game until now. It feels pretty similar, it’s another game we must win.’
However, while preparations on the field have been going well, in England there has been controversy as Prince William, who is president of the Football Association, will not be travelling to Sydney this weekend.
The Lionesses knocked out co-hosts Australia 3-1 in the last four, while Spain booked their spot in the showpiece by edging out Sweden 2-1.
Both teams are playing in their first final, with England having lost back-to-back semis in 2015 and 2019 and Spain having only won one World Cup match before this year.
The Lionesses are unbeaten in the tournament having topped Group D, while Spain were runners-up in Group C following a 4-0 loss to Japan.
Spain are only the second team in World Cup history to reach the final having lost a game by four or more goals, after Norway bounced back from an opening 4-0 defeat against China to finish as runners-up in 1991.
Laura Coombs takes on Lauren James as the Lionesses prepare for the biggest match of their careers. James was sent off in England’s last group game against Nigeria but could return to the pitch on Sunday, having already hit the back of the net three times and provided three assists
Hannah Hampton practises her ball skills during today’s training session in Gosford
Niamh Charles of England runs with the ball during a training session
Niamh Charles and Laura Coombs embrace during a training session at Central Coast Stadium
Regardless of the result, Europe is guaranteed to end its 16-year World Cup drought, with Germany most recently winning in 2007, while it is 20 years since the last final to feature two European nations (Germany v Sweden in 2003).
As reigning continental champions, England are seeking to emulate the aforementioned German side by completing a historic double, having already matched Sarina Wiegman’s 2019 Netherlands team by reaching the final as Euros winners.
Netherlands’ defeat against the United States in the 2019 final remains Wiegman’s solitary loss across 25 matches at major international tournaments.
That remarkable record has been built on consistency in selection.
Having started with the same 11 in every match of Euro 2022, England have used just 17 players at the World Cup so far, the joint-fewest of any team to reach the knockout stages.
Spain – in contrast – have called on all but one of their 23-strong squad, with only third-choice goalkeeper Enith Salon yet to feature.
Wiegman has also barely used her bench compared to Jorge Vilda – her Spanish counterpart – with England having made 17 substitutions to Spain’s 29.
Statistically, Spain have outperformed England in most departments at this year’s World Cup.
They have scored 17 goals to the Lionesses’ 13, having attempted considerably more shots (143 to 81), passes (4,137 to 3,605), crosses (214 to 129) and ball progressions (181 to 99) than their final opponents.
Wiegman’s side have only occasionally found the form that carried them to the Euro 2022 title – when they scored 22 goals in six matches – and have instead relied on their defensive resilience to progress.
Manchester City midfielder Esme Morgan has five senior caps and was called to join the England squad in a training camp in September 2020
Niamh Charles of Chelsea passes the ball during today’s training session.
Hannah Hampton of England in action during a training session at Central Coast Stadium
England have conceded only three times from 64 efforts on Mary Earps’ goal, while Spain have proved more susceptible having shipped seven goals from just 36 shots faced
England have conceded only three times from 64 efforts on Mary Earps’ goal, while Spain have proved more susceptible having shipped seven goals from just 36 shots faced.
Both teams will be braced for a tight battle following their most recent meeting in the Euro 2022 quarter-finals.
The Lionesses emerged as 2-1 victors on that occasion, but only after a late fightback.
Esther Gonzalez fired Spain into a deserved lead before Ella Toone equalised in the 84th minute and Georgia Stanway scored an extra-time winner.
Spain dominated for large periods, ending with 56 per cent of possession and firing 17 shots to the Lionesses’ nine.
It remains the only tournament match under Wiegman in which England saw their opponents enjoy the majority of the ball.
Source: Read Full Article
