Three years ago, after receiving harsh criticism for her performance in the 2019 World Cup, Keira Walsh seriously contemplated giving up football. Today, she is a Champion of Europe, a household name and the most expensive women’s player in the world.
Ellen White and Jill Scott retiring after winning the Euro's feels like the end of an era but the perfect timing for them to hang up their boots. Everything they have poured into the game for the last two decades has finally and deservedly been rewarded. What a high to go out on.
"I think today was the hardest game of my career."
Every word said by Vivianne Miedema as she addressed the crowd for the final time in an Arsenal shirt.
The camera has panned round Camp Nou and it is pretty much full. The biggest stadium in Europe filled with people wearing shirts, waving flags, cheering wholeheartedly at a women’s football match. This is it. This is what we want. It fills my heart to see this. What an occasion.
Mead not being selected for the WC is absolutely the right decision. She's not been "dropped", the decision that she stays at home is the correct one for both parties.
Today is for those who saw when no one else did. For those who supported when no one else showed up. For those who played despite resistance. For those who covered the game for nothing but love. For those that still do.
Today is as much for the past as it is the future.
Please take this as my official application to join Arsenal Women.
Cons: can’t run more than five steps without needing a sit down, frightened of the ball, gets cold easily
Pros: can make up numbers, happy to be there, looks good in red, will bring cake
Jonas, give me a call.
The Lionesses see the calendar year out unbeaten. They have scored 72 goals this year, conceded just seven and have only drawn four times. They won the Euro’s on home soil, conceding two goals through the entire tournament. Heart, unity and belief in abundance. Roll on 2023.
After yesterday's confirmation of her move, here is my take on the extensive qualities
@DanielleDonk
brought to
@ArsenalWFC
in her six years with the gunners. Craftiness, vision and an unremitting passion.... and that's just the tip of the iceberg.
The trophy lift, when Williamson first lifted it with Bright and almost immediately they passed it to Scott and White to lift together is the perfect gesture. That’s the moment that gets you.
Have spoken about this before, but one of my favourite moments of the Euro's was Williamson and Bright pretty much immediately passing the trophy to White and Scott after the initial lift. A real poignant gesture that speaks volumes.
📸|
@Reuters
Arsenal's last WSL game (1-1 v Chelsea) was the first time neither Beth Mead nor Vivianne Miedema had featured for the Gunners in 111 league matches. Arsenal have not played consecutive WSL games without either player since before Mead's debut in 2017.
📸| Perry van de Leuvert
Tonight, the Champions of Europe will take on the Champions of the World.
Tonight, England, and the crowd behind them, will stand in unity with the players of the USWNT and the NWSL.
Tonight is more than just football.
The Lionesses defeat last night was not the fault of an individual, rather the crumbling of the cracks that have been disguised under the unbeaten streak. Nobody wants to lose, but it's not always a bad thing. This loss is exactly what England needed.
Anyone who knows me knows I’m a *bit* of a
@Lionesses
supporter, and being a part of the crowd for this tournament has been pretty special. Wanted to try and create something to capture that.
We are the 12th woman. Long may it continue.
#Lionesses
|
@Lionesses
👈🔁
Hemp and Mead may set the frontline alight, but Walsh is the linchpin of this team. The Lionesses would be a tremendously different side without Keira Walsh.
Similarly, Mary Earps was dropped from the England squad after their defeat to Germany in 2019. With a mixture of ‘more experienced’ and younger keepers being chosen, her time with England looked to be over. Now, Earps has the confidence of the country as England’s number one.
My full guide to the
@Lionesses
, including a short introduction to manager Sarina Wiegman, a brief rundown on her reign, as well as tactical profiles on each of the 23 players that will represent England at the
@WEURO2022
.
#Lionesses
|
#WEURO2022
Working in the Early Years I know how confusing change can be for young children. And so, I’ve written a little something for parents, that might help in explaining these huge changes to little ones.
Please share.
Of all the Lionesses’ stories, Mary Earps’ is one of the most inspiring.
Earps was out of the England fold between 2019-21 and it looked as if her international career might’ve been over. Four years later, she has won the Euro’s and is one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
@NatashaC
@leahcwilliamson
It was 8pm, the streets were lined
Old and young, all so kind
They clapped their hands
And cheered out loud
Fireworks boomed to lift the sound
Music played as their smiles beamed
United as one, a nation, a team
Pride swelled out from their chests Together they stood
For our NHS
Since her WSL debut in January, only three players have more goals than Stina Blackstenius who has scored 9 of her 13 shots on target (69%). In WSL history, of all players to attempt at least 10 SoT, she has scored with the highest percentage. [Opta]
📸|
@GirlsontheBall
Already having assisted two goals for Spain, as we knew she would be, Mapi León is one to watch. Defensively, provides a certain stability, but with that Barca mentality she is so effective in supporting attack. Deliveries on point as they say 👌
#WEURO2022
This England squad has worked hard with unyielding perseverance to achieve the dream of the summer. Just think it’s important to have an idea of the stories of these players. When we consider each of their individual journey’s, their collective success is even more impressive.
Completely gutted Team GB are out, but I’ve enjoyed covering their campaign with as much written and graphic content as I could.
Below is some of the work I’ve produced over the course of the tournament. Any likes, retweets and feedback really appreciated.
Beth Mead has been involved in more goals than any other player in the WSL this season (3 goals, 2 assists). Mead has scored and assisted in five of her last six appearances, and 16 times in total. Only Vivianne Miedema has done so more, 19 times. [OPTA]
📸|
@Priceyd101
Mary Earps could make her 150th in the
@BarclaysWSL
this weekend. If she does feature in Man Utd's match against Chelsea, she will become the first goalkeeper to reach this milestone in the WSL, and only the 14th player to do so overall. [Opta]
📸| Charlotte Tattersall
Speaking to
@Stillmanator
and
@TomJGarry
, Jonas Eidevall says Kim Little has a knee injury. Gives very little away but reports that Williamson, Raffaele and Little are “all progressing”. Everyone available this week minus the above injured players and Miedema who is being rested.
This night was something special and now we’ve got another sold out spectacular at Camp Nou to look forward to! 💫
📸| All photos from
@GirlsontheBall
plus one screenshot from
@alexibaceta23
video for
@DAZNFootball
.
2-1 is ok. Sure, it will make things a little Harder in England, Hayes will get Reiten it sorting out those 'Loopholes'. Not the best, but on the Bright side, it's still do-able.
To all of our creators in 2021… we just want to say THANK YOU! ❤️
You make this community what it is. It simply wouldn’t be the same without you 👏
Let’s start with one of the very best…
@MiedemaStuff
🎨