England’s soccer players want to win their first major title at the European Championships at home, which begin today (06.07.22). The hosts, unbeaten in 14 games, are among the closest favorites. But can the “Lionesses” withstand the pressure?
At 35, Jill Scott has seen a lot. The midfielder is by far the most experienced player in England’s squad, with four World Cup appearances and 157 international appearances for the Football Association (FA). But when Scott, who made her debut for her home country in 2006, thinks about the opening game on Wednesday (07/06/22, 9 p.m., live on Erste and here on sportschau.de) in Manchester, England’s World Cup record player gets “goosebumps”, as she frankly says admitted.
Scott: “We have to focus on the game”
The Old Trafford stadium is completely sold out with the 74,000 spectators approved by UEFA. Never before in the history of the European Championship has an opening game had such a large backdrop. And most of the visitors in the “Theatre of Dreams” will keep their fingers crossed for the “Lionesses” and expect them to win. Scott is aware of this and the associated pressure situation. “We have to focus on the game and do our job. At the end of the day, what counts is that we win,” said the 35-year-old.
England in impressive form
The favorite role in the duel with the surprise semi-finalists of the EM 2017 clearly lies with the English. The “Lionesses” have been unbeaten for 14 games. Most recently, the hosts swept the European champions Netherlands 5-1 and Switzerland 4-0 away in preparation for the home tournament. If these were only friendlies, the record in the World Cup qualification underlines England’s strength even more impressively: eight games, eight wins, 68-0 goals.
Only in the duel with Austria did the EM hosts struggle on November 27th last year. The game in Sunderland was “only” won 1-0. Goalscorer in front of 9,159 spectators was Ellen White, who scored in her 100th international match shortly before the break (39th).
Coach Wiegman wants to go to the final of the European Championship again
The 33-year-old attacker from Manchester City is also one of the great hopes of the English selection at the home tournament. “We are so happy that so many people will come to our games. We want to make the country proud,” said White, who was absent for a few days in preparation due to a corona infection. Her big goal: The final on July 31 in London’s Wembley Stadium, which is already completely sold out with 87,200 spectators.
Should the hosts make it there, it would be their second consecutive final appearance for coach Sarina Wiegman. In 2017, the Dutchwoman became European champion with her home country, and now she wants to be there with England. “Yes, we can do it,” she said confidently.
Austria with 13 Germany Legionnaires
A woman is also sitting on the coaching bench in the opening opponent Austria. Former national player Irene Fuhrmann succeeded Dominik Thalhammer at the end of July 2020, who had sensationally led the team into the semi-finals on their European Championship debut in the Netherlands. Like her predecessor, the 41-year-old also relies on attacking pressing, but has modified the team’s playing style a bit here and there.
According to the latest impressions, the Austrians are now more variable than five years ago, when their behavior sometimes seemed downright wild. However, this may also be due to the increased average age of the team, from which 13 players are under contract with German Bundesliga clubs.
Statistics speak for “Lionesses”
Defender Laura Wienroither and goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger, on the other hand, earn their living at Arsenal WFC in London and thus have a home game at the European Championship in a way. It remains to be seen whether their experience from league operations can help the team. The fact is: Austria is a clear outsider in the opening game.
The Alpine republic lost all previous seven comparisons with England. In the last 0:1 in the World Cup qualifier, the defeat was narrow. However, almost 72 percent ball possession and 22:4 goal completions spoke a clear language for the dominance of the “Lionesses”, which can also be expected on Wednesday evening.
However, Zinsberger was combative. “You have to be able to perform on day X, no statistics will help you. We don’t look into the past, we are in the here and now. That’s important,” explained the 26-year-old. The former Bayern Munich keeper recalled that Austria had proven in the past that they could “annoy” larger teams.
The outsider has nothing to lose in the “Theatre of Dreams” anyway. Unlike the English women, on whom a whole country is watching on Wednesday evening…