VICTORY MARCH!
‘Wiegman has England in best shape ever’
The former keeper, capped 82 times by her country, has given the set-up under new head coach Sarina Wiegman a strong thumbs-up, claiming this squad is the best-equipped ever.
England, along with Spain, France and current holders Holland, are the favourites for these Euros and BrownFinnis insists the environment created by former Dutch coach Wiegman is overwhelmingly positive. She said: “A good return for England will be
for the Lionesses to win it. There will be no expectation among the squad but that.
“They are better-prepared and better-suited to the environment they will face than any other squad.
“Since the World Cup, they have three more years as professionals under their belts. There’s a good spread of youth and experience.
“And even the younger players, who haven’t had much senior experience, will have had a taste at junior level in World Cups and European Championships.
“That will be invaluable – it’s something they have prepared for and become accustomed to.
“It’s just a really good squad and they will be as well-prepared for this tournament as they have ever been for any.”
Brown-Finnis, who represented the Lionesses at a host of tournaments over a
12-year period, says her confidence stems from the assured way in which
Wiegman has taken over from Phil Neville.
The ex-Manchester
United Treble-winner led the women to fourth place in the
2019 World Cup in
France, but BrownFinnis says his successor in the job has one thing he did not.
She said: “It was a very good effort at the last World Cup and
I do think Phil did a fantastic job
– but the time was right to bring in the next person.
“I don’t think there’s anyone else that the Lionesses would have wanted. She’s very relatable, progressive – done it as a player and manager – and that was a big piece of the jigsaw puzzle that was missing.
“We did have previous managers and none of them had been there and done it at international level.
“We have done that now and I have high expectations of this squad.
“Her calmness has impressed. As has her ability to communicate with people above and below her within the Football Association.
“She’s been assured and confident about what she wants and she has done it in a way that’s been humble and without ego. It has blown people away. Her tactical adjustments during games have been exceptional.
“From what I’ve heard off the pitch – the environment she has created – and on it – with the tactical adjustments – I’ve been hugely impressed.
“The girls have never had a manager with such a CV. Ultimately, that’s what she brings and it’s been fascinating to watch.”
England are in a tricky group. Austria, who they face at Old Trafford on Wednesday, qualified as one of the best second-placed teams.
Norway will have former World Player of the Year Ada Hegerberg back in their ranks. And Northern Ireland head to England on a high after qualifying for their first major tournament. BrownFinnis (left) added: “It’s harder to win the European Championship than it is to win the World Cup. That shows how strong European teams are.
“The fact France haven’t been beyond the quarter-finals is astounding. If you look at their qualification record, they’ve let in one goal.
“Hegerberg is back and that adds a different dimension to Norway.
“Germany could win it. Spain should be strong because the bulk of their team is drawn from Barcelona, and they’re an unbelievable outfit.
“England, though, have more than a chance. It’s a difficult call. I just hope we use our ability to deal with the occasions better than the other teams because I don’t think there’s much between them.”