As the Lionesses look ahead to their final game in this year's Arnold Clark Cup, England legend Jill Scott has opened up on how the tournament will be a real chance for the players to warm up before the highly-anticipated Women's World Cup.
Since Euro fever gripped the nation last summer, women's football has been on the up, from investment in grassroots to record attendances at WSL games - even Premier League grounds being used for their games.
It's no wonder that it isn't just England who use it as a practice run for their next major tournament, but also a chance for fans to see their heroes.
Scott spoke to football.london on how the invitational tournament prepares both the England team for their next big run of games and the importance of seeing international football has on fans.
“The Arnold Clark Cup was so important for us as players last year. I think that’s when we started to get fans on board so it was almost like a little bit of a warm up before the main event", she said.
“It also treats fans to seeing a home tournament, I know it’s not the same level as a world cup or Euros but for some of them girls, they’re not going to be able to go to Australia and support the women’s team for a number of reasons, so it’s almost like you’re giving them the opportunity to see their heroes up close and personal.
“And it’s like I say all the time, if you can see it, you can dream it, you can believe it. By doing these tournaments you’re giving all them kids - who probably wouldn’t get a chance to go to a game - an opportunity.”
On how last year’s Arnold Clark Cup against Germany gave them the experience they needed to be able to beat the same nation in the final of the Euros, Scott said: “It was a great tournament for us last year, beating Germany in that.
"I feel like without that we wouldn’t of had the belief to do that in the finals [of the Euros] so for players it’s important, for fans it’s important and for young girls with big dreams.”
England's previous meeting with Belgium ended in an easy 3-0 victory for the Lionesses as they got their Euros 22 preparations underway. But with the Red Flames sitting second in the Arnold Clark Cup table and equal with England on points, it could be a big test for Sarina Wiegman's side.
The Lionesses face Belgium on Wednesday night at Ashton Gate in the final matchday of the tournament.
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