BRONZE: GO

Losing was stab in the heart

LUCY BRONZE is adamant England will bounce back from their Euro 17 “stab in the heart” to launch an assault on winning the World Cup.

The Manchester City right-back was the Lionesses’ outstanding player at the tournament in Holland. Mark Sampson’s team reached the semi-finals in style and were favourites to go on and lift the trophy.

Proud

But they were found wanting as they went down 3-0 to the host nation, who now face Denmark in tomorrow’s final. Bronze said: “We are absolutely devastated. We pushed ourselves to the very end. “After the game Mark came in and it was so emotional. He said how proud he was of all the players. “Losing the semi-final was a stab in the heart. But this team is in a good place. We’ve made two major tournament semi-finals in a row and ® I don’t see any reason why we can’t challenge in the 2019 World Cup and the next Euros.

“We’ll definitely be fighting fit and ready for the next tournament.

“We’ve got a good core of players who will still be around and we’ve got some good young players coming through as well.

“I think we’re all more determined than ever to get to the World Cup Final. That’s the aim now.

“Mark will look at it, and I’m sure he’ll come back more motivated than ever.”

Sampson (right) is hurting every bit as much as his players.

He has two years left on his FA contract, but last night he refused to confirm that he would be staying in the post he has occupied since December 2013. “I haven’t considered what happens next,” he said. “My focus is on what I’ve told the players to do, to go away and try to put some perspective on it, spend some time with family and friends. “I’ve fallen short, we’ve fallen short but at the moment it’s about getting home and putting this to one side. “I’ll go away and reflect on the work I’ve done and the support I have given the players over the last 12 months. “I’ll figure out what we did well to help the team get to the level they did and what more we could have done. “We gave our all to try and win this tournament, and it’s an incredibly tough feeling when you have given everything but come up short.”