Pride on line for old foes

ENGLAND and Germany wipe away the tears as they play for pride and third place at the Women’s World Cup in Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium tomorrow morning.

It was not the final game either had dreamt of but after a month of gruelling football and an emotional roller- coaster ride to the semi- finals both sides are determined to finish on a high.

A 92nd- minute own- goal from Notts County defender Laura Bassett ended England’s fairytale run to their first semifinals with a 2- 1 loss to defending champions Japan.

It brought back memories of Italia ‘ 90 when Paul Gascoigne cried his way into English hearts in their last semifinal in the men’s tournament, then losing on penalties to West Germany.

That time England finished fourth, but this time the women’s team are determined to go home with a medal.

“I think we can hold our heads high and we have to pick ourselves up to go and play against Germany,” England captain Steph Houghton said.

“There’s a group of girls that give everything for the jersey and we have to take that into the game on Saturday. We want to finish third if we can.”

England midfielder Fara Williams told FIFA. com: “We need to give one more big performance against the Germans.

“It will need to be a class performance.”