Steffi Jones and Danielle Slaton are talking about the battles that will decide the final between England and Germany. There is a time and a place for it. England's training session on Friday was the most competitive so far. It was the most full-throttle of the past nine weeks according to veteranJill Scott. Scott felt the full force of a one-on-one with Millie Bright while Georgia Stanway stuck one on her. Scott said he would take a few stud marks for her tackles. On Sunday, there is a major final between Germany and France, which will be streamed live. There's little point in players keeping anything in reserve if they don't have a chance to impress the coach and convince her to change her mind. The most experienced of this group is Scott. She's been on the bench most of the time but has been used as an impact substitute in her eight major tournaments. She gets a good reception for what she has done. Many on this England team talk about the team that reached the final in 2009, and how they watched the broadcast of the final in Finland and saw England fall to a 6-2 defeat. They've got rooms named after them at their hotel in southwest London, and they're the ones who inspired the current crop. There is a daily guide to coverage and fixture information.
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She was there through the days of poor funding and sparse crowds for league matches. You should listen when she talks about what it's like to be an England player for the last 15 years, the experiences she's been through, and how the game has developed. Some of the younger players have been studying her brain this week.
Scott said that they wanted to learn about the game's history. It's been a long time since I've told them that getting to finals is not the norm. They are prepared for it. Performances have been out of this world because of the hunger and determination shown by them. You don't want to put a lot of pressure on them.
The group is aware of their multi level mission. They want to win Sunday and become European champion, but they also want to inspire the children watching, from those who fought to play back in 1972 when the ban on women's football was lifted.
When they talk about legacy, you feel like it's inherent in them, because they're compelling in their own way. They know how important it is to be your own role model. Take the person who you want to take. She has contributed to the legacy by not playing yet. All of the players who haven't played yet have been there for the blowout sessions on the day after the match. The players deep in the squad have been involved in the preparation.
She saw a group from the charity Football Beyond Borders after the match. She asked them to give the shirt to someone who deserved it. Nancy was picked out by the super-sub and given her match shirt. There are decisions that will leave a huge footprint. Before the tournament began, the players talked about it.
Stanway said that Sarina told them to play for the little girl that wanted to be in their shoes. I'll play for the little girl who dreamed of being in our position and who wanted to play at the beginning. Play for her.
After England made it to the final of Euro 2022, Emma spoke about the legacy of the event.
Scott can't help but feel nostalgic for what happened before. Scott has missed opportunities in the past, but more often than not she feels like she missed a chance to win the World Cup with the U.S. women's team.
The group? She loves this group and doesn't want to compare generations.
Scott said that he sees the likes of Keira Walsh in the squad. People always tell me that I'm playing against the best players in the world. I believe that I'm playing with them every day.
People don't see how dedicated people are to being better players. The mixture of experience and youth has been good. Football's passion and joy unite us all.
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There's a beautiful game here. You can watch tournaments and teams.
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Saturday, July 30th.
• Cercle Brugge vs. Anderlecht (10 a.m. ET)
• Middlesbrough vs. Albion (1 p.m. ET)
• Community Shield: Liverpool vs. Manchester City (12 p.m. ET)
• DFL-Supercup: Leipzig vs. Bayern Munich (2:30 p.m. ET)
On Sunday, July 31st.
• Euro final: England vs. Germany (11:30 a.m. ET)
On Monday, August 1st.
• Watford vs. Sheffield United (3 p.m. ET)
• German Cup: Energie Cottbus vs. Werder Bremen (2:30 p.m. ET)
You wouldn't believe that the England team was under pressure. Stanway has been one of the stars of this tournament, and she has two thoughts at the forefront of her mind when she allows herself to dream of the final: first she wants to win, and second she wants to hug her parents for the first time in six weeks
Stanway's thoughts are indicative of the group as a whole. They would like to end the wait together. They all overcame their own difficulties to be here.
Mary Earps is the goalie. She used to think her international days were done. Two other goalkeepers were promoted ahead of her after the World Cup. She had those times when she thought of failure, but she stuck at it.
She said after England's win that she didn't want to go back to the past. I'm loving being a part of this team and I'm enjoying what I'm doing.
The captain of the team played just six minutes in the last World Cup, and she missed out on a spot in the Olympics squad. They weren't going to let that happen again.
Fran Kirby, who in the last couple of years has had extended spells out of the game with a heart disease, is an example of an off-field struggle that has been overcome. She is getting ready for the final after her amazing performance against Sweden. After spending 11 months out with an injury, she came back.
There are people who want to make up for previous disappointment. After Wednesday's match, the emotion became too much for those who had been through the wringer before.
Scott's voice quivers as she talks about the importance of legacy and those who have worn the shirt before her and will in the future. The focus is on not letting this moment slip and what she can personally influence this weekend.
Scott wants to inspire the nation. All of those boxes have been accomplished. All the players that have gone before, put on this shirt, the learning experiences we've had as players, this is for everyone.
Everyone is absolutely right. The ones that love the game are the ones that just went and helped out. I have seen reporters here for 16 years and they just do it for the love of the game. I hope everyone knows that if we win the trophy on Sunday, everyone will have their hands on it.
The team has earned the right to go out there and enjoy it. It's been an amazing journey so far, and hopefully there's one more thing to do.
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