It’s your time
RACHEL BROWN -FINNIS Boss Wiegman is so impressive, so calm and Lionesses now have the experience to win it
RACHEL BROWN-FINNIS says England expects – and believes the Lionesses are primed to deliver.
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 it has ever been.
England, along with Spain, France and current holders Holland, are the favourites and Brown-finnis insists the environment created by former Dutch coach Wiegman is overwhelmingly positive.
She said: “A good return for England will be 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.
Taste
“Since the World Cup, they have had 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, they will have had a taste at junior level in World Cups and European Championships.
“It’s just a really good squad and they will be as well-prepared for this tournament as they have been for any.”
Brown-finnis says her confidence stems from the assured way in which Wiegman (right) has taken over the baton from Phil Neville.
The former Manchester United Treble winner led the women to fourth place in the 2019 World Cup in France, but Brownfinnis says his successor has one thing he does not.
She said: “It was a very good effort at the last World Cup and 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.
“Sarina is 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.
Humble
“Her calmness has impressed. 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’s blown people away. Her tactical adjustments during games have been exceptional.”
England face 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. Northern Ireland head to England on a high after qualifying for their first major tournament.
Brown-finnis added: “It’s harder to win the European Championship than it is to win the World Cup. That shows how strong European teams are.
“England, though, have more than a chance. 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.”
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