Words by Aimee Logan, Exclusive photos by Madeleine Blount at St. George’s Park for Impetus (1/7/23).
Above: England head coach Sarina Wiegman (left) and midfielder Georgia Stanway speak to the media yesterday ahead of today’s game with Portugal. Photo: Madeleine Blount for Impetus.
Georgia Stanway is likely to make her 50th appearance for the Lionesses later today, with the midfielder telling the media that rather focusing on that milestone, she is zoned in on “the next thing – the World Cup.”
The Bayern Munich midfielder pointed out that “football moves too fast” to really have a chance to reflect on the success she’s had so far in her senior career. But whilst today’s milestone is a big one, in particular for her family, Stanway is very clear that her “main focus is on the next thing, which is, the World Cup”, and “there isn’t going to be much time to allow her to look back, only time to look forward to what’s in store for her career in the coming months.”
Stanway was joined at the event at St. George’s Park by England head coach Sarina Wiegman. The pair were asked about the progression towards acceptance of the ‘One Love’ and the Rainbow Captain armband that were banned in the FIFA men’s World Cup in Qatar last winter.
Above: Lionesses midfielder Georgia Stanway at yesterday’s media conference. Photo: Madeleine Blount for Impetus.
FIFA appear to be reluctant to accept the armband itself, despite players and federations being in support of it. As a compromise, they have released a set of eight armbands in different colours that were on the ‘One Love’ armband. The armbands list: ‘Unite for Inclusion’, ‘Unite for Indigenous Peoples’, ‘Unite for Gender Equality’, ‘Unite for Education for All’, ‘Unite for Ending Violence Against Women’, ‘Unite for Peace’, ‘Football is Joy Peace Hope Love Passion’ and ‘Unite for Zero Hunger’.
None of the armbands directly target the ongoing push for acceptance/representations of LGBTQ+ communities in sport. FIFA have made it clear that the ‘Unite for Inclusion’ multi-coloured heart, is inspired by the Pan-African flag to symbolise race and heritage rather than the colours on the LGBTQ+ rainbow flag.
The game’s governing body have also announced that there will be the same sanctions in place that the men would have had to face in Qatar if there is failure to follow the regulations that they have set in stone – despite the fact that there are players at the women’s World Cup that have openly stated they are a part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Stanway does believe, however, that they have reached a place now where “everybody is allowed to have their individual opinion” and they can ultimately “fight for what we believe in.” She also reiterated that whether the regulations allow them or not they know that “we wanted to, and we’ll stand by the fact that we wanted to.”
Before the tournament itself, England play their final preparation game on home soil later today against Portugal at Milton Keynes with head coach Wiegman describing the opposition as “unpredictable,” specifically with the “speed” of their front line.
Above: England head coach Sarina Wiegman at yesterday’s media conference. Photo: Madeleine Blount for Impetus.
The Lionesses boss is expecting Portugal to lay out a “different style of play to what we have seen yet.” Wiegman also emphasised how she thought her team was in a “really good place” ahead of the friendly but there are still some players that are going to be watching from the sidelines on Saturday.
Millie Bright, captain for the World Cup, will still be out because she hasn’t fully returned to fitness since her knee surgery near the end of the WSL season. This could mean that the captain’s armband may end up with Mary Earps today. Despite Jordan Nobbs training this week, she also remains unavailable, but the Lionesses head coach emphasised that both are “on the right track” and will be ready for the World Cup in under a month’s time.
Stanway concluded the media conference by looking at the bigger picture of the World Cup. The former Manchester City star suggested that the tournament will “not compare” to the summer of dreams the squad had at the home Euros last year because they need to “look at the World Cup as something completely different” not only because it is on the other side of the globe, but because it’s a new competition and just in general another new tournament that the squad are partaking in.
The midfielder hopes that their downtime will align with that of those back in England so that the Lionesses can still “connect with fans and family” on a personal level like they did when they were competing in the Euros last summer.
Madeleine Blount’s exclusive photo gallery from St. George’s Park for Impetus:
Above: Haiti celebrate their first-ever qualification for the World Cup after coming through the inter-continental play-offs in New Zealand earlier this year. Photo: Batcheba LouisTwitter.
Haiti, nicknamed ‘Les Grenadières’ (The Pomegranates)have qualified for their first-ever World Cup. Ranked by FIFA at 53 in the world, they are one of the rank outsiders butwill be going all out to create memories of a lifetime.
Forwards: Roselord Borgella (Dijon, France), Batcheba Louis (Fleury, France), Roseline Eloissaint (Nantes, France), Nérilia Mondésir (Montpellier, France), Shwendesky Joseph (Zénit Saint-Pétersbourg, Russia), Darlina Joseph (Grenoble, France).
Head Coach
Above: Nicolas Delépine, Haiti Coach. Photo: Grenoble Foot 38.
Nicolas Delépine, born in Nantes, France, is 44-years-old, and became Haiti’s head coach in 2022. He combines the role with being head coach of Grenoble Foot 38, who play in the second tier of French football.
World Cup History
Haiti are making their Women’s World Cup debut.
How they qualified:
Haiti earned their place at the inter-continental Play-Off Tournament, which was held in Aotearoa New Zealand by finishing third in Group A at the 2022 CONCACAF Women’s Championship. In Auckland, “Les Grenadières” defeated Senegal 4-0 in their semi-final, before qualifying by defeating the fancied Chile side 2-1 in the final to book their slot in Australia & New Zealand 2023.
Strengths:
Fourteen of Haiti’s players play in D1 and D2 in France. They have a strong team spirit and will fight together to prove that they deserve their place in this World Cup.
Development Areas:
Most of Haiti’s players lack international tournament experience. They are an exceptionally young squad additionally.
Key Players
Above: Nérilia Mondésir, D1 Arkema player of the month in September 2022. Photo: Montpellier website.
Nérilia Mondésir – forward and team captain. At 24 years of age, Mondésir has already built up a significant amount of experience. She represented Haiti at every age group (U-15, U-17, and U-20). In 2017, Mondésir became the first Haitian female to play in France at Montpellier. She played 94 matches with Montpellier and scored 12 goals.
Above: Kethna Louis, Reims, France. Photo: Reims website.
Ketha Louis – defender. 27 years old, has played in France since 2018 with spells at Issy (2018-2019), Le Havre (2019-2021), Reims (2021-2023), and Montpellier next season. In France, she has played 74 matches and scored 16 goals. Louis usually plays left back with Haiti squad but can also play right-hand forward, a position that she even says she prefers.
One to watch
Above: Melchie Daëlle Dumornay during Reims’ game at Olympique Lyonnais on May 27, 2023. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset for Impetus.
Melchie Daëlle Dumornay – midfielder. Despite being only 19, Dumornay is one of the team’s key components. The Reims midfielder will head to the World Cup brimming with confidence, having recently signed a contract with Olympique Lyonnais in France. In two seasons with Reims (2021-2023) Dumornay played 28 matches and scored 15 goals in D1 Arkema, France.
Success would be:
A big challenge awaits them, as they are in Group D with England (European champions), China, and Denmark (2017 European finalist). A win against China (13th in FIFA ranking) would be a very good result and make a successful World Cup.
Prediction:
I personally think that Haiti could finish third in their group if they win against China, which would be possible if they organized their games in the tournament around this primary objective.
Above: China lift the Asian Women’s Cup last year – their ninth triumph in the event which sealed their qualification for the World Cup. Photo: The Bridge.
A team with a long history and a solid record against top opposition, the Asian champions will be looking to come out firing at the World Cup after recent triumphs.
Squad
To be announced.
Head Coach
Above: China head coach Shui Qingxia. Photo: China Daily.
Coach Shui Qingxia has built this team back up from the bottom, taking them from their dreadful record at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 to winning the 2022 Asian Cup.
This was not easy, facing a penalty shootout against Japan in the semi-final as well as overcoming a 2-0 deficit to win the final against South Korea. This was not the first time that Qingxia had won the tournament, after recording five times as a player. In fact, she has never played for or managed a team that has lost in the competition. Qingxia has refined her coaching technique to support the players mentally as well as maintaining a strict and high-achieving environment.
World Cup History
China, a major force in the earlier years of the women’s game, have qualified for every World Cup with the exception of 2011. As hosts of the inaugural event in 1991, China exited at the quarter-final stage, going down to a Pia Sundhage goal for Sweden in front of 55,000 fans.
Four years later, in Sweden, the Chinese came through a group with USA, Denmark, and Australia before defeating the host nation on penalties in the quarter-finals. They suffered a 1-0 loss to Germany with Bettina Wiegmann scoring the winner with two minutes remaining. The USA defeated them 2-0 in the third-place play-off.
In 1999, China made it all the way to the final in America. Wins over Sweden, Ghana, and Australia saw them through the group stage. Russia were defeated 2-0 in the last eight and Norway were hammered 5-0 in the semis before a 5-4 loss in the final on penalties to the USA.
Above: The China team at the 1999 World Cup. Photo: The Beijinger.
Back in the USA four years later, China fell 1-0 to Canada in the last eight, a stage they reached in 2007 as hosts when Norways defeated them 1-0 in Wuhan. Failing to qualify in 2011, China returned for the following tournament in Canada when Carli Lloyd’s goal just after the hour mark defeated them. Last time round, they fell 2-0 to Italy in the last sixteen.
How they qualified
China booked their ticket to the World Cup by winning the Asian Women’s Cup last year.
Strengths
The Chinese Women’s National Team has a stoic defence. The experience and will of this team seems impenetrable and it takes something special from the opposition to get past them. They also have some exceptional attackers who trouble even the most successful of backlines.
Development Areas
The link-up between the attacking and defensive players leaves something to be desired. Although there are some talented midfielders in the squad, many don’t have experience at the highest level, containing and creating amongst the best of the best.
Key Players
Above: Wang Shuang – a reliable goalscorer. Photo: CGTN.
Set to be one of the most experienced sides to play in the World Cup this summer, the Chinese Women’s National Team is full of players who have travelled the world and faced all the best teams.
Lou Jiahui is versatile, primarily positioned as a defender for her country, but a midfielder for her club in the Chinese Women’s Super League (CWSL), Henan Jianye. She has over 100 appearances for her country as well as a few goals.
Tang Jiali currently plays for Shanghai Shengli in the CWSL, but has also played for English club Tottenham Hotspur and Spanish club Madrid CFF. The midfielder has scored an impressive 31 goals in only 71 caps for her country.
Wang Shuang is another one to keep an eye on. She plays for Racing Louisville in the USA’S National Women’s Soccer League, where she rounds out their incredible record of having players from six different continents! Shuang has 43 goals in her 121 appearances for China, many of which have come in major tournaments. These women could make a huge impact in Australia and New Zealand.
One to watch
Above: Zhang Linyan. Photo: AFC.
Although there are few young players currently in the squad, one name for the future is Zhang Linyan. The 22-year-old plays for Swiss club Grasshoppers Zurich, scoring seven goals in 16 games. She is a prolific scorer, which she will hope can carry over to the national team this summer.
Succcess would be
If China makes it to the quarter-finals, they could be proud. The 1999 silver medalists will know that they have what it takes to do well, but they will also know that the competition surrounding them has greatly improved.
Prediction
The round of Sixteen could be the destination for China. Although it may be hard to make it through the group stage, they will be confident and ready to prove that there is a reason they are Asian Champions.
Group D Fixtures
22nd July – Denmark, HBF Park, Perth.
28th July – Haiti, Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide.
1st August – England, Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide.
Above: The USA lift the World Cup in 2019. Despite this year’s tournament being bigger than ever and with more exposure, too many of the competing nations are having to fight for equality and fairness. Photo: PDA Football.
With less than a month to go until the start of the Women’s World Cup, players from Jamaica’s national team have publicly united to express their disappointment in the support and resources provided by the Jamaica Football Federation. The Reggae Girlz join an ever-growing list of teams coming forward and protesting their conditions.
In the months building up to the World Cup, headlines have been dominated by player protests from Canada, Spain, and France, as well as other controversies such as a potential European FIFA TV blackout, and sponsorship rows.
Is the World Cup at risk of being undermined by the very people who are responsible for the administration and development of women’s football? Impetus takes a look at the many controversies that have surrounded the build-up and discusses what it all means…
The Protests
As a collective, women’s football is no stranger to protesting for the most basic levels of respect and rights. The sport’s history is arguably defined by a constant struggle, and many teams succeed in spite of rather than because of those who should support them. Previous player protests have led to success.
In 2015, the Australian squad boycotted a tour of the USA, going on a two-month strike over a dispute with Football Federation Australia (FFA) over pay and conditions. The FFA originally condemned their actions, but now the Matildas are on equal terms with the Socceroos. They have since become one of Australia’s most loved teams. Four-time World Cup Winners, the USA also resorted to intensive collective action to gain equal pay.
However, we have also seen the negative repercussions, where players are unfairly punished and silenced. French striker and captain, Amandine Henry, was previously dropped. Argentina forward, Estefania Banini, was left out of her national team for years after speaking out against former coach Carlos Borrello, and Mexican goal scorer, Charlyn Corral, suffered the same fate. Sadly, the list could go on.
By calling for change and highlighting situations of injustice, players understand the consequences their actions could have. Despite the risk of retribution, players continue to bravely speak out.
Jamaica
Above: The Jamaican national side pictured earlier this year. Photo: The Guardian.
Players from Jamaica’s national team, including Manchester City’s star goal-scorer, Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, have expressed their “utmost disappointment” with “subpar planning, transportation, accommodations, training conditions, compensation, communication, nutrition and accessibility to proper resources”. The open letter goes on to explain that the team have often played without “receiving contractually agreed upon compensation” and have missed friendly matches because of “extreme disorganisation”.
The players are calling for “immediate and systematic change” within the federation “and those in charge of protecting the integrity of women’s football”.
In the following days, the Federation announced a sponsorship deal for the women’s team with a fast-food chain, and Michael Ricketts, President of the governing body, told Nationwide News Network that “we want to make sure we provide as much as we can for the girls”.
Cheyna Matthews, Chicago Red Stars forward, posted on Twitter sharing that a teammate’s mother had started a crowdfunding campaign to raise $100,000 for the squad. So far it has raised just over $30,000.
Canada
Above: Canada – A World Cup boycott has been threatened in the latest escalation in their battle with their federation. Photo: Goal.
The reigning Olympic Champions began protesting several months ago after their budget was severely cut, as the federation claimed it did not have the revenue to support all aspects of the game. Despite this, former Canada international, Kaylan Kyle, claimed on social media that Canada Soccer has turned away potential investors of the women’s team in the past. The team were also not paid at all in 2022.
As a result, the Canadian Women’s team attempted to go on strike in February. However, it was forcibly ended by Canada Soccer after they allegedly threatened legal action. The team played in the SheBelieves Cup under difficult circumstances, while other national teams, including England and Australia, wore purple wristbands to support the fight for equity.
On the 28th of February, Nick Bontis resigned as the Head of Canada Soccer, following requests from regional officials and both men’s and women’s national teams concerning Canadian leadership. While Bontis has left his post, he continues to hold power in international soccer as he was named vice-president for North America at Concacaf.
A retroactive agreement for 2022 has now been put in place and its terms mirror those in the men’s national team’s deal. The governing body has also said it is in the process of addressing other demands made by the team. While some elements of the problem have been resolved, remuneration for this summer’s World Cup and the past have not been agreed upon.
In addition, many critics suggest nothing has changed within Canada Soccer on a structural level. Both the men’s and women’s teams remain embroiled in a labour dispute with the federation. This week reports also emerged that Canada Soccer was considering bankruptcy procedures, although this is something the organisation has publicly denied. As the prospect of going to the World Cup without remuneration looms, suggestions of a player boycott have once again surfaced.
France
Above: Former France head coach Corinne Diacre. Photo: The Guardian.
Just a week after the Canadian National Team came forward, and a mere three days after playing in the Tournoi De France, the French National Team had three leading players withdraw themselves, citing working conditions. French captain, Wendie Renard, quickly followed by forwards Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Kadidiatou Diani all announced they would not play at the World Cup to preserve their mental health. There have long been rumours of a long-term breakdown between Head Coach Corinne Diacre and her players, but it has all come to a boil ahead of the World Cup.
Noël Le Graët, President of the French Football Federation, also resigned following an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. Graët continues to deny these claims. This situation also had a knock-on effect on Diacre’s future as the former President was a huge supporter of the coach.
Diacre was promptly sacked due to issues that had “reached the point of no return”, according to the federation. While she insists she is the victim of a “smear campaign”, several problems over the years have been well-documented, including coaching methods, selection decisions, and intense individual player criticism to the press.
Renard lost her captaincy after France’s 2017 quarter-final exit from the Euros, and it was only returned to her in 2021. Diacre also chose to exclude Katoto from the 2019 World Cup, even though she was the Ligue 1 top scorer. Similarly, Amandine Henry and Eugénie Le Sommer were not included in the 2022 Euros, after the two Lyon players had a public falling-out with the coach. In July 2020 PSG goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi stepped back from the international team during Diacre’s tenure.
Since the introduction of Hervé Renard, who left his role as Saudi Arabia’s men’s coach, no French players are refusing to play and Wendie Renard will , once again, captain the side.
Spain
Above: Jorge Vilde, Spain head coach. Photo: Sky Sports.
After qualifying for the World Cup, 15 members of the Spanish squad wrote to the Federation (the RFEF), declaring themselves unavailable for selection, stating the cause was the situation within the team affecting their emotional state and health. The players involved included Ona Battle, Mapi Leon, Lucía García, and Irene Paredes. While Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas was not part of the so-called Las 15, as she was unavailable to play at the time due to injury, she did post a message from the players, suggesting they had her support.
The Federation responded with a strongly worded public statement, suggesting the player’s actions are “unprecedented” and that it “goes beyond sport to be a question of dignity”, insisting they would not give in to player pressure. The players are known to have spoken privately with the federation before they held a press conference on the matter. Despite the response from RFEF, the players maintain that at no point have they demanded the removal of the manager, Jorge Vilda.
Vilda has been in charge since 2015. Spain are widely described as having a golden generation of footballers but it could all go to waste. Some in the game consider Vilda to have created an environment of control, anxiety, and stress that emotionally impacts the squad. Local media in Spain has previously reported that he forced players to leave the doors to their hotels open at night so that staff could ensure they were in their rooms, as well as allegedly checking players’ bags. Although, this has never been concretely proven. Additionally, his management of player loads and tactics have been called into question by pundits and fans alike.
Vilda is allegedly protected by the federation, which reduces the impact of player protests. Angel Vilda, Jorge’s father, is head of the RFEF’s women’s national teams. Jorge started his managerial career by being Angel’s assistant for the Spanish U-17 side. Jorge Vilda won a considerable amount at youth level, but that success is yet to translate. In addition to his father’s position, Jorge Vilda is the Women’s Technical Director as well as head coach – essentially making him his own boss and a powerful figure in a complicated chain of command.
An even more heart-breaking element of Spain’s situation is that Vilda replaced Ignacio Quereda, Spain’s Head coach for 27 years, who was ousted following a player boycott. It was alleged by the players that Quereda had psychologically and verbally abused them, been openly homophobic, manipulative, and created a toxic environment. During this time, Spanish players were also blacklisted.
Despite the initial statements, all but three of Las 15 ultimately made themselves available for World Cup selection. The three that remain unavailable are Mapi León, Patri Guijarro, and Claudia Pina. Of the remaining twelve however, just three were chosen by the coach for the 30-player provisional squad – Aitana Bonmatí, Mariona Caldentey, and Ona Battle.
There have been questions surrounding the selections of those that made themselves available but still did not make the team. For example, Cata Coll has been selected as one of the four provisional goalkeepers, but Sandra Paños has not. Paños is Barcelona’s first-choice keeper, with Coll, while very talented and has minutes under her belt for Barcelona, she is ultimately the second-choice. Paños was part of the group of 15, while Coll was not.
It has been reported that some elements of the national team have changed, such as the introduction of a nutritionist and more freedom at camps. However, the situation clearly remains ongoing, with many issues unresolved heading into the World Cup.
What do the protests mean?
The sheer number of protests highlights just how large the problems facing women’s football are.
Sadly, even as women’s football gains even more stature and popularity the individuals who are largely responsible for its rise, the players themselves, remain the most powerless. This paradox can be baffling to some as the players are the labour, the overall product, meaning while many are structurally powerless, they also have the greatest leverage, hence why players are essentially forced into protests and boycotts as their only means of creating change.
What is an even more concerning prospect to consider is the potential of what may be happening in other teams that have less star power behind the protests, are less professional, and experience less media coverage. It is perhaps no coincidence that of the four teams discussed above, three make up FIFA’s top ten, and Jamaica are in the top 50.
Other Controversies: FIFA and TV rights
Women’s football at the highest level is riding the crest of a wave, with fans, attendances, viewing figures, transfer deals, commercial deals, and sponsorship – there’s been an explosion. Even with all of this success, nerves were growing around the possibility of a broadcasting blackout of the World Cup, especially in the major football European nations.
To the relief of European fans, deals were eventually established. BBC and ITV will be sharing games in the UK, with the final being on both stations. However, at the time of writing, Japan is still without a deal. The issue became so intense that sports ministers of some European nations released a joint statement calling for the matter to be resolved.
This is the first Women’s World Cup in which commercial and television rights have been separated from men’s tournaments. The new commercial strategy shifts the way potential investors and partners understand and view the tournament.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said there had been “disappointing offers” from many nations that translated into a “slap in the face… to all women worldwide”. He noted that FIFA had a “moral and legal obligation not to undersell” the event.
While it is an obvious positive outcome that fans will be able to watch, the length of time it took to secure these deals has had negative impacts. At this late stage, sponsorship deals are still coming in, and snack giant Frito-Lay has recently been unveiled as a North American partner. The deal represents “the largest ever investment in women’s sports”, according to the company. South Korean car companies Hyundai and Kia have extended their deals. The impasse over television rights has led to confusion and frustration among commercial parties. Moreover, the later a deal is signed, the less time brands have to plan and activate, which impacts the value of the deal itself.
From a fan perspective, the time for advertising fixtures and the tournament has been reduced, which could have a knock-on effect at drawing people in and matching the impressive figures of the Euro’s, for example.
Other controversies: Women’s football and the ACL epidemic
Above: Leah Williamson is just one of a large number of major stars of the women’s game who will be missing from the World Cup after suffering ACL injuries. Photo: The Guardian.
Injuries are a fact of sport, however, to say there is an injury crisis in women’s football would not be an exaggeration. Female players are significantly more likely to suffer from anterior cruciate ligament damage than their male counterparts. Vivianne Miedema, Katoto, Catarina Macario, Beth Mead, and Leah Williamson are just some of football’s biggest names to be missing out this year.
While there are factors that can’t be changed, a lot of ACL research points to issues of player loading and lack of rotation. Factors like this relate to how federations and coaches treat their players, both points of disagreement that have been noted in the protests discussed above.
Even if we completely separate the causes of the crisis from the situation, ultimately having some of the biggest stars of the game missing, will sadly have a negative impact. Having the likes of Vivianne Miedema, Beth Mead, Janine Beckie and Christen Press means the very best ‘product’ will not be on display for the world to enjoy. While fans will undoubtedly continue to back their team, missing so many elite stars will have huge disadvantages, in terms of team selection, marketing and social media engagement.
What are the takeaways from these situations?
With more eyes on women’s football than ever before, and increased interest from fans and investors, player protests and other issues dominating the headlines need to be a catalyst to strengthen the sport. Not just for the individual elite athletes but globally down to the grassroots level to address the systemic failings from those in positions of power. This is something echoed by Canadian captain, Christine Sinclair, who stated they are fighting for the next generation of players as well as themselves. As we head into a World Cup that is set to be the most watched and include the most teams, there is a worry that the situation is regressing behind the scenes, as many decision-makers continue to do what benefits them and not the sport as a whole.
Federations, internationally and domestically, have too often been slow to realise the opportunities for growth in women’s football. Investing in the women’s game is not just simply the right thing to do, but it can be profitable for all involved when done sustainably.
How many major tournaments can we expect to experience that are dominated by brave player protests, injuries, toxic environments, and other controversies? Can the sport even sustain this behaviour? What is clear, if federations lack respect for their players the continued interest and legitimacy of these tournaments, and the sport as a whole, can all be called into question. Only time will tell if we continue down this dangerous path.
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Above: The Lionesses lift the Finalissima trophy in April. They will be looking to complete the set of major international trophies in Australia this August. Photo: Lionesses.
England and their fans will head to Australia hunting for that elusive trophy that would see them complete the set of major international trophies in the space of a year.
In their last meet-up, back in April, the Lionesses won the inaugural Finalissma beating Brazil on penalties and then followed their success up with a much rarer defeat to Australia. Since that loss to the Matildas, Sarina Wiegman has seen her captain Leah Williamson tear her ACL and has picked a squad that has a slightly different look compared to last year’s Euro-winning roster.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps, Hannah Hampton, Ellie Roebuck.
Above: England head coach Sarina Wiegman. Photo: Suvadeep Biswas for Impetus.
Sarina Wiegman has been in charge of the Lionesses team since August 2020 and has transformed this squad into a team that has dominated across every competition. During her reign, she has won two Arnold Clarke Cups, the Euros, and the Finalissima, whilst also only tasting defeat once in 31 games, which included a 30-game unbeaten run.
Before she took the role as England’s head coach, she was just one cap shy of a century of appearances for the Netherlands’ national team and also went on to manage her native country. During her time there, she won the Euros and also reached the World Cup final, losing to the USA, with the Dutch woman hoping that she can go one further this year.
World Cup History
England’s most successful World Cup came in 2015 when they finished third. Last time out in France, the Lionesses finished fourth after losing to eventual winners the USA in the semi-finals, and Sweden in the third-place play-off. They have appeared in three more World Cups, in 1995, 2007, and 2011 but were unable to progress past the quarter-finals.
How they qualified
Throughout Wiegman’s reign as England boss not much has gone wrong, and qualifying for the 2023 World Cup was no different. The Lionesses rolled past Luxembourg and Latvia, scoring 50 goals in four games and conceding none. They faced tougher opposition in the form of Austria, but even then, a front line of established Bundesliga forwards could break through a stern defence.
The qualifying process was interrupted by their conquering of Europe and the Arnold Clarke Cup, but the rhythm wasn’t ruined as they picked up maximum points in their ten games and were one of two teams to have kept clean sheets in all their fixtures.
Wiegman will know that they couldn’t have had a better qualification, but it will mean nothing if they can’t carry that form into the group stage and knock out rounds in the tournament.
Above: Beth England’s stunning form for Tottenham Hotspur makes her one to watch at this World Cup. Photo: Spurs Women.
Strengths
Winning know-how – Whether it is games or trophies, England just know how to get the job done now whatever situation they are faced with. They have rolled teams over such as Norway last summer, but have also had to face more challenge situations like when Brazil took them to a penalty shootout in the final moments.
These sort of experiences are vital for tournament football, and that ability to keep yourself calm in hectic situations could prove vital for the Lionesses.
Development area
Who leads the line? Since Ellen White’s retirement, Alessia Russo has taken the role, but with Rachel Daly breaking the WSL record for goals scored in a season, and Beth England in fine form, Wiegman will have to make a difficult decision when it comes to her number nine.
Russo has also had a difficult season, but when given the opportunity, she has shown her worth upfront.
Key player
Alex Greenwood – Normally a full-back for her country, Greenwood’s last game for England was as a centre-back against Brazil, where she impressed and it may be a role that she will have to play in this tournament due to Williamson’s absence. If she is chosen as a centre back, she will pair up with Bright who has had little game time since her injury, and may need sometime to get back up to full fitness. This could mean that Wiegman will rely on the Man City star to command that backline throughout the group stages.
Above: Ella Toone celebrates for England during their success against Brazil in April’s Finalissma. Photo: Lionesses.
Ella Toone – With Kirby’s absence it will down to Toone to fill that creative void, and it is something the midfielder has done well for England recently. She was a key player off the bench for England last summer in the Euros, but will no get the opportunity to affect games from the start, and when she is able to get going, she can win any game for England.
One to watch
Beth England – Midway through the season it wouldn’t have been unreasonable to say that England wouldn’t make it in the final 23, but after her move across London to join Tottenham Hotspur from Chelsea, she has been in red hot form. The striker finished the season with 12 goals in 12 games, and if she can translate to the national team, then she could be a useful option in the Lionesses squad.
Success would be
If the squad was fully fit then I would say success would be to win it, but after a couple of fresh faces have been called up to the squad, I will say the Lionesses would be happy with their first-ever World Cup final appearance.
Prediction
Despite losing their most recent game, everything that preseeded that 1-0 defeat to Australia has suggested England will go far. They have lost three of their most influential players in Williamson, Kirby, and Mead but Wiegman is fortunate enough to have had a strong pool to choose from, and I expect more teams will fear them than they’ll be feared, and I think they will feature in the final come 20th August.
Evie Nebbitt has been one of Impetus’ sponsored players for 2022/23. Having just come to the end of her first season playing tier five football for Saltdean United in the London & South-East Region Premier, she reflected on the campaign with Ben Gilby
Above: It’s a thumbs up from Evie Nebbitt as she walks out with her Saltdean United team-mates to face her previous club Sutton United during the 2022/23 season. Photo: Simon Roe, supplied by Evie Nebbitt.
The 2022/23 season was one of new horizons for Evie Nebbitt. Moving to the South coast for university and playing at a higher level of the sport than ever before with Saltdean United, the South Londoner reflected on a hugely positive experience.
“I think this season was a great step in the right direction for both the club and myself. We were challenged and played great teams and managed to get good results allowing us to come joint fourth which is a great achievement.
“I was allowed to play all over the back line and challenged and pushed by great coaches who helped to further improve my performance. I played a lot of minutes this season and enjoyed every second of it with the girls. I am proud to have scored two league goals this season from a left-back position, helping to contribute to the score sheet.”
Above: Evie Nebbitt has imposed herself at Saltdean United, and been among the goals too. Photo: Simon Roe, supplied by Evie Nebbitt.
“This season was a great step up for me. I have played in women’s leagues since I was 16 so I am used to the physicality of it but tier five is a great push to improve my technicality. Zak Dove and Tom Saunters have been very supportive and knew what I needed to work on from the start of the season and coached me through the step up to tier five football and I believe I am a much better player than I was at the start of the season.”
Nebbitt believes that a key part of her successful season was being able to settle in rapidly amidst her new surroundings. There was the added challenge of facing her previous club Sutton United who were promoted into the league for the first time.
“Coming into a new team at the start of this season is always challenging however everyone made me feel welcomed which allowed me to settle in quickly. Playing against Sutton was tough as they are a good side however everyone at Saltdean knew how much the games against them meant to me and we managed to get an away win at Sutton. I really wanted to win and I think that showed in my game performance. I was privileged to have my family there to watch and support me.”
The words ‘support’ and ‘encourage’ pop up constantly when the defender describes her club and team-mates. “The atmosphere at Saltdean is great on and off the pitch. In the changing room before games we all love to sing a bit of karaoke on the mic and we all enjoy a laugh outside of football.
“The players in the first team, the development team, and the coaches are all supportive and encouraging and it shows on the pitch that we all play for each other. As players, we have grown and improved as a team and it is shown through our results. I have thoroughly enjoyed my first season at the club.”
Above: Evie Nebbitt brings a team-mate into the action. Photo: Simon Roe, supplied by Evie Nebbitt.
After a disappointing campaign during 2021/22, Nebbitt came into a Saltdean United side determined to restore themselves to the upper echelons of the table – and that was a goal successfully achieved. It’s a huge positive for all connected to the club that so many of the squad have already signed up for another season.
“The team at the start of the season were largely all new to the club and throughout we have all grown together as a group. This allowed us to go into next season with the upper hand as we can continue where we left this season off and further improve the team’s performance. Everyone gets along well and the team morale is higher than ever. We have some new players coming in who will be great assets next season. Life’s a climb and that’s what we at Saltdean are doing.
“I think teams in tier five are looking better than they have before. Thanks to people such as Impetus who sponsor and give exposure to teams at this level, we are gaining more support which filters through the clubs.”
With pre-season training already on the horizon, Nebbitt is confident that her Sussex-based side has what it takes to challenge the top three during 2023/24.
“I believe in order for Saltdean to challenge again this season, we just need to be consistent. The team has strengthened with new players coming in, we have a great time ethic and the whole team is really positive.”
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Above: Alana Jancevski is mobbed after scoring a late equaliser for Bulleen Lions. (Not visible Alana Jancevski) Image: Bulleen Lions instagram.
FV Emerging had a well deserved win, Box Hill rebounded from last weeks thrashing and the question remains, how many goals do you need to score to beat Boroondara?
Box Hill United 2-0 Heidelberg United
The two sides entered Sunday’s match needing a response. In round 14, Box Hill suffered a 7-0 thrashing at the hands of Boorondara-Carey. The performance was not a disaster, but the scoreline could not be ignored. They needed to bounce back quickly because the alternative would be to undo all that they have achieved in the previous four games.
Heidelberg United were in the unusual position of being in a losing streak. Losses to Bulleen and Bayside United in the league were followed up by an unlucky defeat to Calder United in the Nike FC Cup. Although nobody at the club will be using it as an excuse, their fixture has been punishing.
The match against Box Hill United was their third in seven days. They were well organized, and impressively energetic throughout the afternoon, but two moments of quality were their undoing.
Sofia Sakalis can lay claim to being one of the league’s best players. The Box Hill playmaker followed up last year’s gold medal-winning season with an excellent campaign for Perth Glory in the A-League Women. She has returned to the NPLW with momentum and some unassailable form.
Her combination with Mindy Barbieri is near telepathic, and it produced both goals just minutes either side of halftime.
The first goal was scored right before the break. Nikolina Bucalo burst down the right wing and found Barbieri. Her cross was toward Sakalis, and her first touch took her around the defender. The second touch prodded it beyond Melissa Maizels to open the scoring.
The other goal was scored just moments into the second half. Sakalis won the ball cleanly from Elwen Parbey as Heidelberg tried to attack. With barely a glance, Sakalis slid a long pass behind the defence. Only Barbieri knew it was coming and ghosted in to score what would turn out to be the sealer.
Heidelberg battled gamely, but the longer the game went on, the less likely they looked to score. Fatigue was a factor in the loss, quality was a factor in the win.
Sofia Sakalis is in brilliant form in the Victorian #nplw for Box Hill United.
The @PerthGloryFC playmaker scored one in the 45th minute, then set up this second with this ridiculous assist as soon as the second half began. pic.twitter.com/JfYQvzZS7J
Box Hill can now shrug off the big loss to Boroondara. It was obviously a blip against a high-scoring team. They achieved this win without prodigious playmaker Sienna Techera or a goal from Anais Josefski. This was an impressive performance, particularly from their back four.
Heidelberg need a breather. Three games in a week is a huge load for a professional team, let alone at NPLW level. The quality remains, but they were hit with the loss of Bella Wallhead through injury and then immediately thrust into the hectic schedule.
They will be back, but Box Hill keep rolling along.
Bayside United 1-3 FV Emerging
FV Emerging’s form has deserved more wins than they currently have. The NTC side has tested some of the top teams but had only a single win coming into Round 15.
Bayside United were the favourites after breaking into the top four last round, but a Candice Kilderry goal in the ninth minute set the stage for FV Emerging to achieve a second impressive victory this season.
Anabelle Yates was set free down the right flank. She ran directly at goal and opened up her options. With a shot looking imminent, Yates slid the ball across the face of goal for a fast-arriving Kilderry to finish at the back post.
Miwa Sasaki struck back for Bayside with an excellent free kick from the edge of the box. The shot was stuck low and hard, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.
Some wing wizardry by Alana Cortellino restored Emerging’s lead. The fleet-footed attacker received the ball wide, then with a shift of direction and an abrupt change of pace she was suddenly in yard of open space. Her final ball in was most likely a cross, but it flew in at the far post. There may have been an element of luck about the finish, but not about the buildup. It was a spectacular goal in any case.
With Bayside pushing for another equaliser, Emerging struck on the counter-attack. Ehva Gutszmit raced clear and although her shot was blocked by Coco Majstorovic in goal, but Danella Butrus was on hand to finish the move into the empty net.
It was reward for effort and a deserved end to a slick team move. FV Emerging held on for the remaining 30 minutes to register their second win of a still admirable season.
Preston Lions 2-0 Southern United
Goals from Miri Nishimura and Georgia Henderson gave Preston Lions a much-needed win, and ensured that Southern United are still in search of their first.
There was no stopping the opening goal. Preston applied pressure up the pitch as Southern United tried to play out. The eventual turnover fell to Nishimura who struck from long range with a dipping effort to make it 1-0 in the 18th minute.
The goal scorer was involved in the second goal. Emma Checker’s clearance from defence found Nishimura who cut inboard and ran through the centre of the pitch. She delayed until playing the perfect pass for Henderson who had slotted into goal after a wonderfully timed run.
The 2-0 advantage was enough for Preston to see out the win. Preston Lions have not quite recovered their early season form, but this was their first clean sheet since early April. They were able to keep the game on their terms for most of its duration and with the free-scoring Boroondara-Carey Eagles coming up next week, that confidence will be important.
Alamein 3-3 Boroondara-Carey Eagles
How much of a buffer do you need to beat Boroondara in current form? Heidelberg had a two goal lead, then lost 5-4, Alamein fans would have been confident that three was enough, but a shootout is where the Eagles thrive, and this was another classic match in a memorable season.
Things started well for the hosts. When Margot Robbine was dispossessed by Alamein’s press, Sidney Allen pounced. The captain embarked on a slaloming solo run that was capped off with a fantastic finish in the fifth minute.
Allen was in ominous form and doubled the lead two minutes later. Boroondara Goalkeeper Emma Somers got a good punch on the ball, but Allen was first on the scene and buried the chance from 18 yards.
Rebecca Saber added a third, and her fourth of the season in the 25th minute. She raced onto a long goal kick and tucked the ball away to give Alamein a solid three-goal lead.
For much of the opening half, Boroondara had struggled to get into any rhythm. Alamein enjoyed the home-ground advantage and made the most of it, but also hassled and pressured the visitors into errors that directly resulted in goals.
The Alamein defence had worked hard to deny any clear chances. In response to that, Boroondara scored from a nothing-chance.
After another blocked shot, the ball was cleared out by Alamein and Hayley Guerts launched a first-time effort from at least 30 yards out. The ball dipped under the crossbar, and Boroondara had a lifeline.
For the first half, Alamein had kept Kurea Okino well-marshalled, but there is no stopping her for an entire match right now. In the 55th minute, Robbine slipped a pass into the Japanese striker’s path and she made no mistake to notch up her 21st of the campaign.
Robbine almost equalised when she got on the end of a curling Georgia Koutrouvelis cross. Her header only made the slightest contact and glanced just wide. But Boroondara had clearly wrestled back momentum.
The third goal eventually did come. Mawa Sumaoro was the hero. She headed home from Emily Sutcliffe’s deep cross to level the scores in the 87th minute. The point was vital for Boroondara. It keeps them in contention for top spot. With the other two contenders playing each other on Monday, and considering the three-goal deficit, a draw looks as good as a win.
Bulleen Lions 1-1 South Melbourne
Two of the league’s most high-profile sides met at the Veneto Club on Monday night. South Melbourne had a bye in the previous round and arrived with the chance to snatch top spot on the ladder.
Bulleen has been in strong form. They fought out a win against FV Emerging last week and still boats a squad strong enough to have A-League Women players on the bench.
Claudia Mihocic and Grace Taranto were in Bulleen’s squad. They were up against their old side from last season. The pair played a big part in South Melbourne’s run to the Nike FC Cup Final and Mihocic started in defence with one eye on helping Alex Natoli contain Danielle Wise.
Bulleen started stronger. Maja Markovski led the line for The Lions and was aggressive with and without possession. Beattie Goad was hard-working and creative and although effort was put into limiting Paige Zois’s time on the ball, she was still able to direct play from deep.
Leticia McKenna and Miehsa Westland formed the midfield pairing for South Melbourne. Westland found space at a premium, but when they were able to link up, they looked dangerous. McKenna’s long-range effort was South Melbourne’s best chance of the early exchanges along with Janna Lawson’s powerful run.
Bulleen looked to have taken to lead in the first half. Alana Jancevski chested down a Zois pass into the path of Tiff Eliadis. The Bulleen captain’s volley was only marginally wide, and no matter how often it is viewed it still boggles the mind that it missed. It certainly deserved a goal.
Markovski collided with South Melbourne goalkeeper Miranda Templeman. It was 2023’s latest edition of “Templeman scares South Melbourne and Melbourne Victory fans” but after a short recovery she was able to continue.
Although Bulleen had most of the attacking play, South’s defenders were composed and organized. Brianne Reed and Leia Varley were largely impassable. They dropped deep in sync and jockeyed the Bulleen attackers to prevent them getting behind.
At the other end, Natoli and Mihocic were equally strong, although Lia Muldeary was also a standout at fullback. Her mobility and pace allowed Bulleen to pass the ball out of tight situations.
Although Wise had been kept quiet and largely away from goal for most of the game. it only took one-half chance for her to score. in the 74th minute a flowing end-to-end move that began with Templeman, ended with a McKenna dummy and a Dragana Kljajic cross. Gaby Garton got a hand to it, but the Bulleen keeper could only push it into the path of Wise who does not miss those chances.
After going a goal down, Bulleen momentarily looked panicked. Passes became hurried and attacks looked more hopeful than purposeful. Caitlin Friend made some moves. She brought on more defensive players and swapped Markovski for Grace Taranto. This gave Bulleen the foundation they needed to push forward in the final stages.
It took cool heads to level the scores, and when the game was on the line, Zois and Jancevski wanted the ball. Zois stook over a free kick in the 91st minute. Jancevski meandered past her and into space on the left wing.
With the defence expecting a swerving delivery, or a shot on goal from Zois, she slid a pass wide to Jancevski who’s first touch took her instantly into a dangerous position.
There was space for a cross or shot and that left everybody in two minds except Jancevski. The finish was one of her best in a growing list of impressive strikes, and one of her most important goals this season.
Bulleen were a goal down, they had been unable to break down South Melbourne all night and there was 80 seconds left to play.
Then Paige Zois and Alana Jancevski came up with a plan…
The draw felt like a fair result, neither side really deserved to concede, but this game had two of the best-attacking players in the NPLW on display, in the end, they found a way. But the draw felt like a win for Bulleen. They stay first on the ladder alongside Boroondara and like last week’s game against FV Emerging, they found a way to get the job done even when things were not going their way.
South Melbourne were in a winning position but will be confident of a win should they face Bulleen in the finals. Except for one moment of magic, their game plan worked. A draw away from home to Bulleen is a strong result, even if they are disappointed with the late goal.
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Above: Denmark will be looking for plenty to celebrate when they return to the World Cup for the first time in 16 years this July. Photo: Maja Hitij.
Denmark known as ‘De rød-hvide’ (meaning ‘The Red and White) are set to play in their fifth World Cup this year – albeit their first since 2007.
They will be hoping to counteract their disappointing 2022 Euros performance and make it past the group stage in the competition. The team are ranked 13th in the world, and their most recent triumph was being runners-up in the 2017 UEFA Women’s Euros.
Squad
To be announced.
Head Coach
Above: Lars Søndergaard, Denmark’s head coach. Photo: FIFA.
Lars Søndergaard is going into his final weeks in charge of Denmark as he will depart at the conclusion of the event. Søndergaard took over the team less than six months after they made the Euro 2017 Final. Despite missing out on qualification to the 2019 World Cup, he guided the nation to qualification to last year’s European Championships where they exited the tournament at the group stage after defeats to Germany (4-0) and Spain (1-0) with a 1-0 success against Finland sandwiched between. At the conclusion of the tournament, Andrée Jeglertz will take over in the role. Jaglertz has previously coached top Swedish club Linköpings FC.
How they qualified
Denmark qualified by coming top of Europe’s Group E competition. They won all eight of their fixtures, six of which resulted in a clean sheet for the side. Their most successful game in the qualifying rounds was their 8-0 win over Azerbaijan, which saw a hattrick from Stine Larsen. Another 8-0 win was against eventual group runners-up Bosnia and Herzegovina where Signe Brunn had scored four goals before the interval.
World Cup History
This is Denmark’s fifth qualification for the World Cup. Quarter-Finalists in the inaugural event in 1991, a feat they achieved once more four years later – only winning one group game in the process to do so both times – they have subsequently failed to get out of their group in 1999 and 2007.
Pernille Harder was named captain of Denmark in March 2016. Since then, in September 2021, she broke Merete Pedersen’s 12 and a half year long previous record to become the national team’s all-time top scorer in September 2021. Since her senior Denmark debut at 16 years old, she displayed her talent: scoring a hattrick against Georgia in that fixture. Harder has been out for a period this season with a hamstring injury at Chelsea, but she did play in some of the closing fixtures of the season and has been called up to both preparation camps suggesting that she is fully fit to play this summer.
Kathrine Møller Kühl of Arsenal is arguably Denmark’s most talented young player. Kühl made her international debut at only 17 years old. After joining Arsenal this season in January, she has already made 11 appearances for the club. I’m excited to see her talent shine this World Cup and in the future of her career as she still has many years ahead of her. She’s looking like a future captain in my opinion.
Success would be
A successful summer for the team would be making it through the group stages and ideally pass the round of 16 into the quarter-finals. They haven’t played on the world stage in a while but I do believe they have the talent to progress.
Prediction
A quarter-final spot after finishing as runners-up in their group to England. The young talent that the team has, along with those more experienced players, makes me believe they could be more successful than some people might think.
Impetus’ Aimee Logan and Ben Phillipsspent the whole of yesterday at the Lionesses’ St. George’s Park base and watched Sarina Wiegman’s World Cup squad put through their paces at training and were able to speak to the players (28/6/23).
Above: England are put through their paces at their St. George’s Park training base yesterday. Photo: Ben Phillips for Impetus.
Words by Aimee Logan, photography by Ben Phillips at St. George’s Park.
The Lionesses’ World Cup preparations were in full swing at St. George’s Park as a rammed full day, including a gym session and on-pitch training, ended with a media event for the entire squad.
At 11:30am, after the squad finished with their morning session in the gym, almost all of the players were present out on the pitch to be a part of the full training session. Laura Coombs was seen on the sidelines working individually with the England coaches and didn’t get involved in any of the session that the other players were participating in.
Another player, who England previously mentioned would be doing her own training progression, was Millie Bright, named as captain for the tournament. She was also seen on the side of the pitch doing some non-contact strength training and running drills with individual coaches. It seems possible that the skipper will be left to watch from the sidelines on Saturday when the Lionesses partake in their send-off game, against Portugal in a sold-out Stadium MK.
Above: A relaxed-looking captain Millie Bright was all smiles at training yesterday. Photo: Ben Phillips for Impetus.
It was clear that Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman was taking good care in training the team to be ready for the weekend and ultimately the World Cup that is only edging closer. The squad at first, split into smaller groups where they practiced some of the classic turning and passing drills to help them increase their pace for more intense attacking moves against opposition.
It was great to see Jordan Nobbs back on the pitch in the full training after it was mentioned she was being monitored across the days of the first week of camp, without playing contact football with her teammates. She was evidently eager to impress and had a great session out at training.
Nobbs has been pushing all season to make it back into the highly competitive England squad for this summer after she missed the two previous major tournaments due to injury. Her shock move from her childhood club, Arsenal, where she spent over 12 years of her senior career, to Carla Ward’s up-and-coming Aston Villa side has proved to be a risk well taken for Nobbs as she’s now set to represent her country on the world stage again.
There was another slight change in the squad which saw Lucy Staniforth called up for the standby squad travelling to Australia, in replacement for Jess Park who has had to withdraw due to the severity of her shoulder injury she picked up near the end of the season with Everton.
Above: Lucy Staniforth (right), newly called into the squad, gets stuck in at training. Photo: Ben Phillips for Impetus.
Staniforth was fast to get stuck in with the full training session on the field and, personally, I believe she’s going to be a great player for the squad to have considering the amazing form she’s shown at Aston Villa for the second half of this season. Similarly to Nobbs, the pair left their clubs to push for game time to make England squads again and Staniforth’s transfer allowed her to show the skill and talent she has to offer. The pair were in great spirits about heading to another major tournament together at last.
Out on the field today, the competition was high amongst the squad as they all aimed to have the best foot forward for making the starting XI that Wiegman will choose for the matches.
During the smaller half-pitch matches, Georgia Stanway went in for a last-minute tackle on Alex Greenwood leaving the pair on the floor. The intensity of the tackle created a loud, jaw-dropping, snapping noise that silenced the crowd of onlookers. Stanway was quick to get up and check on Greenwood who was still on the floor in some discomfort.
There was clear evidence of concern amongst the players and the staff too as many rushed in aid to check on her. After a few primary checks on the pitch, Greenwood stood up and walked off the training field with a small limp, showing that the injury ultimately had less severity than what it sounded/looked like. It was discussed amongst the media crews on the sidelines that the noise possibly came from the impact of the tackle, the two shin pads coming together at a fast speed, and Greenwood’s shin pad snapping from the force.
Above: Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman overseeing training yesterday. Photo: Ben Phillips for Impetus.
Everyone was relieved to see her walking with the England coaching staff, as she went inside for the rest of the training to have some preliminary checks. Speaking on her injury later in the day, Greenwood explained how she was fine and stated how tackles were inevitable in football as it is a contact sport. The assessment on her over the next 24 hours will hopefully give Manchester City player the all-clear to play on Saturday against Portugal.
The day finished with a full squad media event where I had the opportunity to speak to eleven of the players who have made Sarina’s squad, along with the two players on the travelling reserves list.
Katie Robinson is going to her first major tournament with the squad this summer and she explained how much being on the team meant to her. “To be fair I just want to soak in the whole experience. I’ve never been to anything like this ever before so I’m going to be really taking it all in and just try and play well as well.”
Ella Toone also expressed how much she was also looking forward to her first World Cup: “I’m really excited, I think it’s going to be amazing. I just want to enjoy it all and take in every little moment. It was once a dream I had when I was a little girl, so yeah, I can’t wait to step out onto the pitch and make everyone proud.”
Above: Ella Toone (centre) with Alessia Russo and Lucy Staniforth yesterday. Photo: Ben Phillips for Impetus.
The long-haul flight to the other side of the globe is going to be a first for some of the squad who haven’t been to Australia before, with Hannah Hampton explaining how she is “hoping to do a bit of sight-seeing if possible,” when time allows in between their busy schedules. Sleeping seemed to be a must to pass the duration of the flight as Ellie Roebuck explained how her essential for the flight was her “Eye-mask because I’m hopefully going to sleep the whole way: that’d be pretty nice.” Jordan Nobbs suggested that Roebuck’s sleeping may be disturbed as she clarified how the team must “sleep for a bit of it and then be awake to stick to the strict time zone.”
A few of the players joked on who they hope won’t be sat next to on the plane. Manchester United’s captain seemed to be a popular answer as Laura Coombs explained, “I don’t think Zel (Katie Zelem) sleeps so maybe not next to her.” Zelem’s fellow United teammate Ella Toone also stated how she’s “Not going to sit anywhere near Katie Zelem on that flight because she can talk for England!”
Lucy Bronze explained how she’s, for definite, bringing her iPad on the flight: “It has all my Spanish apps; I’ve been told it’ll be a good use of my time.” But she’s also sure she doesn’t want Georgia Stanway next to her on the flight: “She’s just loud! Even if she doesn’t talk to me if she’s talking to anybody, she’s just too loud.”
I also spoke to Niamh Charles about the significance this tournament has to her. The group the players named the ‘Good Peeps’ includes: Charles herself, Alessia Russo, Ella Toone, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Georgia Stanway, and Ellie Roebuck, and this will be their first major senior tournament together as a group. Charles said, “I’m excited for the whole thing but I think it’s just super special that all our families have been together at youth tournaments together as well, and for us to be together again now it’s just super special to me.’
With the interviews finished, the players headed back inside for a well-deserved rest after their full-on day. The Lionesses will be in full swing at Stadium MK this weekend. The tickets for this fixture have sold out meaning the squad are going to have packed, full stands cheering on their success and showing their appreciation for the team.
Ben Phillips’ EXCLUSIVE photo gallery from Lionesses training at St. George’s Park for Impetus:
EXCLUSIVE video content from the Lionesses’ media day will be posted on our social media feeds over the coming hours – Follow Impetus on social media – we’re @ImpetusFootball on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Also, keep an eye out for our forthcoming TikTok account which willcomplement our written content – including special material from the Impetus team at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Above:Zambia, who will be one of the most enjoyable teams to watchat this World Cup. Photo: Lusaka Times.
Zambia, also known as the Copper Queens, are a team that is ready to take the world by storm.
Although they were one of the first women’s teams to be established in Africa, the Copper Queens have just qualified for their first World Cup, which they will take as an opportunity to have the eyes of the world see the brave and promising nature of this team.
Squad
A 35-player preliminary squad has been announced, which will be reduced to 23 shortly.
Above: Zambia head coach Bruce Mwape. Photo: Bolanews.
Coached by Bruce Mwape, this team has defied the odds by putting up great fights with top competition and earning themselves a place on the world stage. Mwape leads the team with fatherly love and pride, praising them as courageous and valiant. Mwape has helped them qualify for two major tournaments, including the Tokyo Olympics where they were a sensation in the group stage since being appointed manager in 2018. While the competition they face is stiff, they always seem to manage to find moments of control to scare the opposition.
How they qualified
Zambia made it to their first World Cup by reaching the semi-finals in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. They finished third in this tournament after defeating Nigeria 1-0 in the third/fourth place play-off after losing 1-0 to South Africa in the semi-finals.
World Cup History
This is Zambia’s first appearance at the World Cup. They did though put in a thrilling series of performances in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, a 4-4 draw with China, a narrow 1-0 loss to Brazil, and an incredible game against the Netherlands that finished 10-3 in favour of the Dutch which saw a Barbra Banda hat-trick and four goals for Vivianne Miedema.
The Copper Queens are a side filled with youth and passion. One remarkable player who lifts this team up is Barbra Banda. The 23-year old is a remarkable goalscorer, with a superb 22 goals in 10 games for her country. She was the first-ever player to score two hat-tricks in the Olympics back in 2021. She was deemed ineligible to play in the 2022 African Cup of Nations, which could have been a reason Zambia did not win, due to her naturally high testosterone levels. Banda plays for Chinese club Shanghai Shengli, where she keeps her record of scoring more goals than games she plays.
Another fantastic young forward is Racheal Kundananji, who has been tearing it up at Spanish club Madrid CFF. For Zambia, she has scored nine goals in 15 games. The 23-year-old is a vital part of this team and their many pathways to goal. Kundananji has a bright future.
At the back, Margaret Belemu has been a stoic presence for years now. The 26-year-old right back who plays for Turkish club Hakkarigücü Spor is a skilled and strong player who carries the spirit of this team. Belemu rounds out this strong side.
One to watch
Above: Esther Banda (number 2) – a young gun with superb skills. Photo: ZamFoot.
While many of Zambia’s stars are very young, they still have even younger talents climbing up the ranks. One special player to watch is Esther Banda, known as ‘Gelu’, who began her football journey as a young girl looking up to players such as teammates Barbra Banda and Grace Chanda, and now she plays alongside them. She is versatile, able to comfortably play centreback and midfield, as well as score a good long-range goal. What can she bring to the Copper Queens this summer?
Strengths
Scoring. This team could do very well if they manage to outscore their opponents with all their different avenues to goal. They have many reliable strikers to not only put chances away but to create chances.
Development Areas:
Zambia’s defence is quite leaky, as many of their defenders do not have much high-level experience. They concede many goals when facing top opponents.
Success would be
Put goals away against some of the best defences in the world and prevent too many goals from getting behind them. They could potentially make it out of the group, which would be absolutely thrilling.
Prediction
They may narrowly miss out on making the knockout rounds. They will score, and that is inevitable, but their future depends on the solidity of the back line and goalkeeper.
Group C Fixtures
22nd July – Japan, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton.
26th July – Spain, Eden Park, Auckland.
31st July – Costa Rica, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton.
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