Euro 2022: 'After 450-day wait, it's game on for Northern Ireland's game-changers'

It's a story that people have been telling for a long time.

There is a story of hope. It was of disbelief. The feeling of euphoria. A source of inspiration. Of the words that were used. Of past. To be happy. Speak quietly of some controversy.

The players and their coach have been waiting for 450 days. What a decision.

On the second day of the Women's European Championship, Northern Ireland will play their first ever match at a major finals when they take on Norway at St Mary's stadium inSouthampton.

The qualification for the competition was sealed on a glorious, albeit Covid-restricted, April 2021 night in north Belfast with a historic play-off victory over Ukranian.

The team is called the gamechangers.

The story right now is about Norway. We can add symmetry to the story.

They began their qualification campaign against the Norwegians on August 30th, when the finals were due to be. The new manager introduced a new style of play and insisted that his players stuck to it as they fell to a six goal defeat.

The idea of these sides meeting in the finals was fanciful at that time. Here they are.

A group of people from Northern Ireland flew to England. The photograph of the squad in their smart suits boarding the plane will be cherished by all of them for the rest of their lives.

The governing body made their training base at Stoneham Lane a welcoming place. Every player's name and image are visible on the wall of the media facility and workspace, which is branded with the team's motto, 'A New Dream'.

Upbeat seems to be the only mode this group of players know and there were smiles all round as they got down to tournament business. The media were first in line to hear from the two youngest players, and they were excited and enthusiastic as always.

The media was interested in who would join manager Shiels for the matchday press conference. Normally a duty fulfilled by the captain, initial communication from Uefa suggested it would be an experienced defender.

There was a lot of interest in the toe injury that the team captain had been carrying since May. The fears were allayed when she said that she was fit and ready to go.

She had time to remind people of the lovely nature of her story and that of the team.

It's amazing what we've accomplished. She said that some of them have been here since 2004 and had to pay to go to tournaments.

The younger players are going to take a lot from this.

I'm so proud and honored. It is a dream for a little girl to lead her country at a major tournament. I can't believe it's my title, but I absolutely adore it. I have grown as a person because of it.

The manager of Northern Ireland.

Callaghan admitted that she and her team-mates were doing searches on the internet to find out more about their new boss after a surprise appointment. They didn't know much.

With his son by his side, Shiels has done a heroic job, sticking to a style of play and fashioning a team bond that must be as strong as any in a tournament in which they are the lowest ranked side.

When asked if he had had any pinching himself moments in the week leading up to the biggest match of his managerial career, he replied with a light-hearted quip. The food in the team hotel was the highlight of his day.

A new sequel to Northern Ireland's captivating story will begin if that smile comes back after full-time at St Mary's on Thursday night.