The Lionesses believe they can be the best team in the tournament as the first lot of fans arrived in Switzerland ahead of England’s first match against France tomorrow night
The eager Lionesses can’t wait to kick off their first match as they promised fans it will be the “most exciting opening game” of the Women’s Euros. England take on France at 8pm tomorrow night inside Zurich’s 30,000-seat Letzigrund stadium.
And after months of graft under boss Sarina Wiegman to get the squad in shape, Lucy Bronze believes the Lionesses can go all the way. “We’ve got it in us to put on really good performance… And I think if we get that right, we could be the best team in the tournament, to be honest.”
Speaking about their excitement ahead of the bout with France, Lucy added: “It’s a game we’re excited for. Both teams are full of exciting attacking talent and I think it’s the game everyone is going to be watching because it’s surely the most exciting group game coming into a Euros.
“France v England is exciting for any fan to watch.” And with seven debutants on England’s side at this tournament, the buzz in the Lioness den is infectious.
“I think having so many players who this is their first tournament, you definitely feel that [excitement] more. Everything that we do, even what we wear to training and stuff is a little bit different when you come to the Euros and they’re excited for all these different moments.
“They’re definitely excited for the very first game and I think that just spreads throughout the team. I think I’ve always said that I love spending time with the younger players because it makes you more excited… I think we’re all really excited for that game. I think we’re just excited to turn up to the tournament and play really well.”
And as the Lionesses began training today ahead of their opening match, the first English fans in Switzerland excitedly waited to give them a wave and ask for a selfie.
Al Li, 13, from Newcastle had flown out with her parents on Thursday night after securing some last minute tickets for their first game in Zurich.
Mum Kerry Bruce told the Mirror they’d spent more than £600 on a quick four-night trip to make their daughter’s dreams come true.
Although it is not the first time they have watched the girls, they’re hoping it will be the first time they watch them win a game at a major tournament while watching in the stands.
Kerry, 33, said: “I have a friend who lives in Zurich that we could stay with so I knew we could be at this match.
“We are so excited, I was crying before, it’s our dream to actually see them. You see all the fans getting to meet them and we are just not normally that lucky. We will be absolutely buzzing to see them win. We think it will be Spain vs England again in the final.
“We’d love to come back out to see them play in the final. If we had the funds we would be back out in a heartbeat.”