WE CAN ALL BE A HERO
Stanway: Whole England squad is world class and can shine at packed Wembley
GERMANY have their work cut out to stop England in today’s Euro 2020 final – because they are ALL world beaters.
The Lionesses look to win the country’s first big title since 1966 and face old enemy Germany in front of a full house at Wembley today.
And Georgia Stanway believes the quality running through the squad can get England over the line.
She said: “I feel like you could play any of our players and you know exactly what you are going to get. You know that they are going to do a massive job for the team and that is what you need – you need multiple players to be able to step up in those moments and take it.
“It is almost like being a catalyst. I feel like Less has had an unbelievable tournament, Beth
Mead can’t stop scoring and moments like that are so, so important because it puts us one goal ahead.”
Stanway hit the headlines when she smashed in a 25- yarder to seal the win against Spain in the quarterfinal.
She added: “I will probably never hear the end of it and I still don’t know why I shot in that quarter- final game. I tried one in the semi- final – row Z!
“But it is unbelievable to be in the now and the fans have been unbelievable.”
And on whether she can hear the fans’ chants as they urge her to take a pop every time she gets near the goal, Stanway added: “Yeah definitely. Even in mad moments when Kiera has the ball on the halfway line, everyone is saying ‘ shoooooooot!’ And you are like ‘ are you serious?’
“But no, the fans have been unbelievable since the very first game at Old Trafford until now. That is what makes it so special, being able to share it with friends, family and the fans.
“Everybody going wild, everybody knows who we are now, so yeah, come on England!”
Atmosphere
Beth Mead has been one of the star Lionesses through the tournament.
She scored in the semi- final win over Sweden and had another big display in the England shirt.
It still hasn’t quite sunk in that they have made the final.
Mead said: “When the full- time whistle went at the end of the semi, we didn’t know what to do.
“It was an unbelievable atmosphere and we’re excited for the Final.
There’s been a lot of celebrations and a lot of dancing but what a night and a moment to celebrate and enjoy for everyone.
“When the third goal went in, you start believing but it’s a bit blurry after that – what an incredible night and atmosphere again, I’m just very proud to be English right now.
“I enjoyed my goal and it came at a perfect time. Sweden came at us in the way we knew they would and Mary made some good saves early on. The game was quite cagey so it came at the right time.
“There was a lot of pressure on us and they had a few chances, so it was good to get ourselves in front.
“It settled us and from there I thought we had the momentum and we went on and played some good football and scored some more goals.”
Whatever happens in the final, the profile of women’s football has been raised massively in England. The
Women’s Super League looks set to capitalise on the success with two marquee matches announced.
Chelsea will open their title defence at Stamford Bridge on September 11, while Liverpool will celebrate their promotion to the top flight with a return of the Merseyside derby to Anfield on September 25.
It will mark the first time since November 2019 that the Reds have played a WSL contest at the stadium after attracting more than 23,000 for the last outing, a 1- 0 win for Everton.
Buzz
Liverpool captain Niamh Fahey, who played in that match, said: “It’s a special thing to play at Anfield. Not everyone gets to do that. We got a great support there last time so hopefully we get the same again.
“That buzz from the crowd was unbelievable, that roar trying to get us over the line – it’s going to be epic!
“Hopefully I get the chance to lead the team out. Leading your team out at Anfield for a Merseyside derby – it doesn’t get better than that!”
Emma Hayes’ Blues, meanwhile, will face London rivals West Ham to begin their chase for a record fourth consecutive league title, in one of three matches selected for television broadcast on the opening weekend.
Chelsea, whose 2019 season opener at Stamford Bridge drew a crowd of over 25,000, will also be shown on the BBC in the second of the league’s three- year broadcast deal with the BBC and Sky Sports, thought to be worth about £ 24million.
Sky Sports, meanwhile, will carry Tottenham versus ManUnited in the season- opener, with kick- off at 12: 30pm on September 10, and will also air Manchester City’s home clash against last year’s runners- up Arsenal at 7pm on September 11.