The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Euros a dream come true for Evans
SCOTLAND: Forward relishing chance to play for her country at major finals for first time
That July 19 occasion promises to be a high-octane encounter, as Anna Signeul’s Scots tackle not only neighbours but a side that finished third at the World Cup two years ago.
Scotland forward Evans said: “There’ll be lot of nerves and pressure, but I think we want this to be a big thing as well.
“It’s the first time in history that we’ve qualified for such a big tournament as the Euros. It’s a big thing, a massive thing. It’s something we’ve always aspired to do as a team.
“I’ve been lucky enough at club level to represent clubs in the Champions League so I do have a little experience in terms of bigger competitions, but not at national team level, and it’s a dream come true, something you always think about as a young girl.
“I think it’s hard to know how the atmosphere is going to be in that first game. We’ve not had that experience at national team level, representing Scotland in such a big tournament as the Euros are.
“It’s hard to know what we’ll experience but I’m sure it’ll be an experience we never forget.
“Now that we’ve made this step, in years to come we want to be there again and even at the World Cup as well.
“It’s something we’re going to look forward to, but first and foremost it’s the Euros.”
Evans abandoned her sports science studies at Stirling University five years ago after being offered a dream move to Germany with Turbine Potsdam, one of the biggest women’s teams in Europe.
She was talent-spotted while playing on the losing side against Potsdam for Glasgow City in the Champions League.
It was particularly remarkable for Evans to stand out, given Glasgow were handed a 17-0 aggregate defeat over two legs.
“We got an absolutely doing – 17-0 on aggregate – but I think the coach saw something in me from there and took me from there,” she said.
Now 25, Evans has experienced German football at the highest level with Potsdam and Bayern and is looking ahead to a spell in England with Arsenal, where she will become team-mates with the likes of England stars Fara Williams and Jordan Nobbs.
The men’s and women’s teams at Bayern celebrated their Bundesliga titles together 12 months ago, meaning Evans would have mixed with the likes of Arjen Robben and Thomas Muller.
And she has no doubt it was the right decision to up sticks to the Frauen Bundesliga when the chance came up, even if at the time she considered it “quite a big gamble”.
“I’d just started studying, doing a university degree, and I took the decision that it was just too big an opportunity to pass up,” she said.
“You learn things about yourself personally when you go over there and out of your comfort zone.
“It is one of the top leagues in Europe, if not the world. Without a doubt it’s improved me as a player and as a person.”