At one stage in 2021, it appeared as though football really was coming home. You will need no reminding that it did not, with penalty shoot-outs once again proving to be a serious thorn in the side of the England men’s national team.
There is, however, every chance that those wrongs can be put right by the women’s side some 12 months on. While the Three Lions ultimately came unstuck on a continental stage, the Lionesses are ready to show that they have what it takes to go all the way.
A side managed by Dutch coach Sarina Wiegman, who guided her homeland to glory back in 2017, is ready to open a bid for international glory on home soil that is earning plenty of support in the stands and in football odds online. A quick check of Women’s Euro 2022 odds shows that a 5/1 standing has the host nation sitting as third-favourites in championship betting.
The 16 finalists 🤩
🏆 Who will lift the trophy in England next summer?#WEURO2022 pic.twitter.com/t7wMzFE44q
— UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 (@UEFAWomensEURO) October 28, 2021
The likes of Spain and the Netherlands will take some shifting if they are to be faced down a long path that leads back to Wembley Stadium, but anything is considered possible at this stage – particularly as a passionate home support is ready to do all it can to cheer England over the line.
Wiegman will be hoping that an intriguing mix of proven performers and plucky emerging talents aid her cause over the coming weeks, with faith set to be shown in 23 carefully selected stars a matter of months before Gareth Southgate makes similar decisions ahead of another World Cup outing for the men.
Big calls
When final squads are drawn up, plenty will delight in seeing their names come up, but many more will be left disappointed at missing out on a chance to grace the grandest of sporting stages.
That, though, is what managers are paid to do, with it impossible to please everybody all of the time. They are, however, ultimately responsible for piecing together a blueprint for success that everyone buys into and reaps the benefits of.
In the international arena, Wiegman is calling the shots. She will, however, require assistance from afar when it comes to getting players to a European Championship this summer in the best possible shape.
It is there where an Isle of Wight native comes in, with Carla Ward in a position where she could have an impact, regardless of how small, on how the Lionesses fare in pursuit of a prestigious piece of silverware. That is because she currently holds the reins at FA WSL side Aston Villa.
𝟮 games
𝟰 pointsHappy Gaffer. 😁 pic.twitter.com/Drtd9PC7jU
— Aston Villa Women (@AVWFCOfficial) September 11, 2021
On her books at present are two performers at opposing ends of their respective careers for club and country. Hannah Hampton is an emerging goalkeeper with a couple of senior caps to her name, while Jill Scott is a veteran midfielder who has represented her country on more than 150 occasions.
Both have graced recent England squads and will expect to figure in Wiegman’s thoughts again when Euro ranks are compiled. Ward will be eager to see the pair – despite Scott only being a loanee at Villa – receive the recognition that she and the rest of her colleagues in the West Midlands believe they deserve.
Guiding them through the final weeks of a domestic season, ensuring that confidence and character continue to be built along the way, should help to impact proceedings when England take to the field, with everybody from Newport to Newcastle longing to see the Lionesses roar.
