On August 19, 2023, the day before England and Spain's Women's World Cup football championship game, England's Lauren James (2nd R) participates in a training session with teammates at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford. (Image by AFP/DAVID GRAY)
English captain Millie Bright stated that the team will have to play "the game of our lives" in order to defeat Spain in the Women's World Cup final on Sunday.
When the Lionesses take the field at Sydney's Stadium Australia, they will try to accomplish what no England team, male or female, has been able to do since 1966: win the World Cup.
While admitting there was no escaping the gravity of the event for the nation, the squad, and the players, Bright urged the European champions to treat it like any other game.
England is entering the final for the first time, just like Spain is.
Bright remarked on Saturday, "We know how passionate our country is back home and how much they want us to win."
But for us, there is a procedure, a strategy to follow, and a life-or-death game to play.
The team led by Sarina Wiegman has improved during the World Cup by fusing defensive toughness with ruthlessness up forward.
The captain said it was "massive for the team" and for her personally, even though Wiegman and Bright were eager to relieve some of the strain.
I've always said it's "we" and not "me," she said, and I believe it will be the pinnacle of our professional lives.
"I always refer to our careers and "we" since they are a team effort. Being at the World Cup final is a dream come true; there are no adequate words to express it.
Lauren James, a lethal attacker who missed England's last two games after receiving a red card against Nigeria, is back, giving England encouragement.
James' potential position was shrouded in secrecy by Wiegman, who also issued a dire warning about the threat faced by a Spain team that has occasionally intimidated its opponents.
She stated, "I believe the Spanish team is in a terrific position; they have had a very strong tournament.
They are really energetic and constantly want to move ahead, therefore they always want to play a possession-based game.
They will occasionally challenge us, but we will also challenge them.
The Lionesses narrowly prevailed 2-1 in overtime to go to the semifinals of the European Championship against Spain last year.
They ultimately won the championship, their first significant prize in international women's football.
Wiegman, who is playing in her second straight World Cup final, has been crucial in changing England's fortunes.
In 2019, she led her native Netherlands to the final, where they fell to the United States 2-0.
The Dutch coach acknowledged that loss had taught her some valuable lessons, but she added that "this is a whole new situation, I'm coaching another team" to that statement.
"I believe that England is doing quite well, and everyone is well. We have developed over the competition, our confidence has risen, and we are simply practicing as we always do," she continued.
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