LEAH LOVING THE MOMENT
Attention ‘is long overdue’
LEAH WILLIAMSON has not got over seeing her face on crisp packets and billboards, insisting it still “feels strange”.
But she believes such exposure for the women’s game in England is long overdue and, more importantly, says Sarina Wiegman’s side feel ready to justify the hype.
England’s captain leads out her side against Austria at Old Trafford tonight in the European Championships opener, saying it will be a moment she will never forget.
However, it is not tonight’s game but the final at Wembley on the last day of July that will be the ultimate test of whether the women’s game here can take a real leap forward.
Arsenal defender Williamson said: “It’s strange seeing yourself up there but it’s a good thing. It is good for the team that the women’s game has been recognised as it should be. It is a good thing for the game.
“We have put in the work and ticked the boxes we need to.We know how big a moment this is. The pressure will be big but it is something we are embracing.”
Home advantage helped Holland and Wiegman lift the trophy five years ago but expectation brings its own pressures.
Williamson said: “Pressure is a privilege. It is about enjoying it. The crowd is going to be our 12th man. Sarina has had experience of that and we are all loving the fact that, of the 70,000 for the Austria game, most of them are there for us.
“We are at home and intend to use it as much as possible.”
England are second favourites behind Spain but have a winnable group, with Northern Ireland and Norway to come and a manager who has been there and done it. Williamson believes an opening-night victory will settle the nerves.
She said: “We are not robots. There are going to be nerves. We are aware of the expectation from external sources but it is about enjoying it and within the camp this is my job.”
Williamson may be asked to step forward into a midfield axis with KeiraWalsh.
She said: “I have never played in a Euros. So just to be playing for England will be enough. I will do whatever job is needed for the team.”
ENGLAND (probable): Earps; Bronze, Bright, Greenwood, Daly; Williamson, Walsh; Mead, Kirby, Hemp; White.