Austria’s Nicole Billa, “Footballer of the Year” in Germany in 2021, is “not at all” nervous before the opening game of the European Championship against England.
“I’m rarely if ever nervous. It’s always been like that. I’m more excited about it,” said the TSG 1899 Hoffenheim striker in the “kicker” interview (Monday). The Austrians will play against the hosts on Wednesday (9 p.m./ARD and DAZN) at the start of the European Championship in front of 75,000 spectators in a sold-out Old Trafford in Manchester.
“It will be a personal highlight for all of us. I don’t think any of us will be playing in front of such a huge crowd in a stadium with such a great tradition any time soon,” said Billa. The Austria team, surprisingly semi-finalists at the EM 2017, still meets Norway and Northern Ireland in Group A.
“England have a lot of strong players, they are one of my favorites for the title with their power football,” said Billa. “They have so many professional footballers that the pressure won’t affect them. They can handle it.” The 26-year-old was also the top scorer in the Bundesliga in 2021 with 23 goals. In the past season she scored twelve times.