Walking into a packed press conference at Old Trafford on Tuesday, England Women manager Sarina Wiegman couldn’t keep the smile off her face.
All eyes are on the Lionesses as they kick off their Euro 2022 campaign against Austria in front of 75,000 fans in Manchester on Wednesday, but the clear message from the camp is that they are loving the pressure.
Wiegman’s smile on Tuesday as she surveyed the packed media room demonstrated that attitude, as did captain Leah Williamson’s grin when she was asked what it’s like having her face all over billboards, drinks and crisp packets.
“It’s not normal, is it? But it’s good, it means that the visability of us as a team and the women’s game is being recognised - and recognised as it should be,” said Williamson. “It’s strange, but it’s a good thing for the game.”
The women’s game has been building towards a stage like this and England are determined to make the most of the opportunity. Over 500,000 tickets have been sold for the tournament and England will have sell-out crowds for all their games.
It is a pressure that many of the squad will not have experienced before and England have made sure they are prepared for it. Wiegman has held meetings about it, while Declan Rice and Kieran Trippier recently spoke to the squad about what last year’s home Euros was like for the men’s team.
“We know what it is, we know what to expect and we are ready for it,” said Williamson. “I think everybody has got their own things in place now to be able to deal with it and pressure is a privilege.
“We’re not robots. There will be nerves. We’re aware of the expectation. Within the camp it’s about the excitement and enjoying it.”
Tonight will give England an indication of what it’ll be like being hosts and having the country watching them. Wiegman has experience of that, having been in charge of Holland when they went all the way as hosts in 2017, but she admits this is another level.
“Everything is bigger - more expectations, higher expectations, the level of the game is higher,” she said.
England’s confidence and their willingness to embrace the pressure is justified when you consider their preparation and form.
They are unbeaten under Wiegman, who took charge last year, and have won their last six matches. There is a belief among the England squad that no Lionesses side has been better prepared for a major tournament.
They have been in camp since the start of last month and, during their time at St. George’s Park, they have had pitch priority over all other England squads there.
Austria’s aim will be to spoil England’s party and, unlike England, they have the freedom of playing with no pressure. They are expected to sit deep and frustrate the hosts, with Arsenal goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger part of a solid defensive unit.
A strong start will ease the pressure on England, but it is necessary too given the tight nature of the tournament. There are just 16 teams and it is effectively knockout football from the get-go, with only the top two from each group making the quarter-finals.
England are fancied to go all the way, but this is a fiercely competitive tournament and one of the most open for years. Spain, blessed with a side packed with Barcelona players, are the bookmakers’ favourites and a possible quarter-final opponent for England.
England are fancied to go all the way, but this is a fiercely competitive tournament and one of the most open for years
Beyond that, though, there is France, who despite not picking high-profile players such as Amandine Henry, look strong. Olympic finalists Sweden, the holders Holland and eight-time winners Germany are contenders too.
The list of possible winners is longer than that, however, with Norway dark horses now superstar Ada Hegerberg has ended her five-year absence from international football.
None of them, however, are under the same spotlight as England, but the hosts are determined to view the added scrutiny as a positive.
“I think on paper it looks like a pressurised situation, but I don’t feel that at the minute,” said Williamson.
“I take it more as a responsibility rather than pressure. I do feel like I would have given anything to get on the pitch [with England], so I don’t intend to waste a second now not enjoying it.”
