Womens Euros England pair trying to stop
England captain Leah Williamson and fellow centre-back Millie Brightface the most demanding testof their careers when they face Germanys Alexandra Popp in Sundays Euro 2022 final.That is the view of former Lione ses skipper Faye White, who says England should see themselves as equals with the eight-time European champions but is wary of the threat posed by Germanys goal-hungry captain.I dont worry as much as I would have certainly a few years ago or in the past, White told Stats Perform.White captained England in the Euro 2009 final, where hopes of a first European title were dashed as Germany dished out a6-2 victory
Orlando Magic T-Shirts hammering in Helsinki.Prolific striker Birgit Prinz scored twice that day for Germany, and White said Popp presents exactly the same threat, with the Wolfsburg star having joined Englands Beth Mead on six goals in the battle for the Golden Boot.Popps double against France led Germany to a 2-1 semi-final victory, teeing up the shot at hosts England, whose 4-0 demolition of Sweden underlined their threat.White said what impre sed her most about Popp, who is coming off a long knee injury lay-off, was that clinicalne s that desire we
Anfernee Hardaway Jersey could see with both her goals.The first was a volley on the stretch, and the second a bullet header after finding a yard of spacethat left White speechle s.That is what she has and thats why I think its a ma sive game for our two centre-halves, White said.Whites view is that when it comes to powerful strikers, Germany just breed them, with 31-year-old Popp the latest in a long line.If England are to set aside a record of
Terrence Ross Jersey two wins from 27 past meetings with Germany, then keeping Popp quiet will surely be e sential.Millie and Leah have to win the battle basically. And its the biggest game of their lives. Trust me, White said.England have had many special moments in the tournament, with an 8-0 thrashing of Norway in the group stage, the extra-time victory over Spain in the quarter-finals and Tuesdays demolition job on Sweden capturing the imagination.Germany have perhaps had fewer similarly exhilarating results, but they have been impre sively solid, leading White to state that everyone just has to have a big game if England are to lift the trophyat Wembley.She says England are in a mindset where they will relish it rather than be squashed by that, adding: We are in the best place we will ever be to be able to do it and beat them. I just keep thinking, please make this time be the time we get one over on Germany. England have been semi-finalists at the past two World Cups and also reached that stage at Euro 2017, which is why White considers this generation so different to her own.In my time when we played in 2009, it was a completely different gulf between the two teams that matched up in that final, she said. The mindset of these current players is that they wont
Aaron Gordon Jersey fear the Germans like we did. We know the history,
NBA Orlando Magic Jeresy but its not history of recent times as the Germans havent got to the latter stages of tournaments as England have recently.The goals of the likes of Mead and Ale sia Ru so have been crucial, but it has been Sarina Wiegmans influence as Englands manager that has most impre sed White.Wiegman, who led the Netherlandsto European glory five years ago, only joined up with England in 2021 but has made a tremendous impact.White said Wiegman has been the key, adding:Ive always felt that the last bit of the puzzle was the manager whos won something.Because when youre in the changing room, and youre going through all the tactics, knowing that that coach has won something, I just think thats invaluable.