GBR vs Brazil

Friday 5^th July 2013

Today we finally kicked off our quest for gold where we faced Brazil in our first group game. With a 5:00pm kick off time this morning was spent ensuring we were all fully prepared for the game. A 9am alarm followed by breakfast, a team meeting, walk and stretch, set plays and unit meetings, ensured every part of our game plan was covered with roles and responsibilities clarified to set us up in the best way possible to face Brazil.

The feeling was good within the camp and everyone literally couldn’t wait to get out onto the pitch and play. We had spent the past two weeks working hard and putting in hours of preparation for the tournament and today that moment finally arrived, the chance to let our feet do the talking. On to the bus we boarded and off to the Raketa Stadium we travelled with the game nearing ever closer.

My match shirt hung up ready - Number 5

Arriving at the ground the bus was buzzing and you could tell by the atmosphere that something good was going to happen today. Walking into the changing room, with our kit hung up on the pegs, everything was set for us to go into battle. It’s the simple things, such as our kit being laid out, that always gets the team pumped and ready.

As we walked out onto the pitch to begin the warm up, the heat and humid conditions we would have to battle through today hit us and it was definitely one of the hottest days we have experienced so far. Rumoured to be around 35 degrees, we all had to take on fluid regularly and utilise all of the cooling techniques when possible to ensure we were peaking come kick off time.

The teams lining up for battle

The team lined up in the tunnel and out onto the pitch they walked. Unfortunately I wasn’t starting in this game, which as you can imagine is always disappointing but I was on the bench ready to play my part if called upon. I had faith in the starting 11 that they would go out and do the job on behalf of the whole team and I would help them from the side line in any way possible to ensure they could do the best job they could on the pitch – sometimes it helps to have a different set of eyes providing information from the side and today I was that different set of eyes. Lining up on the half way line the official anthem of the Universiade played and the emotions rose, this was it, time to kick start our tournament in style – with a win and strong performance.

The game seemed to fly by with the first half providing chances at both end as Brazil

Michelle (#8) and Dan (#9) in action for us

showed their attacking prowess and with the ball constantly changing hands it was hard to gain a foothold in the game. Halftime was a good chance to get some fluid on board, have a breather and analyse how we could go back out in the second half and walk away with the 3 points. The reaction was instant and it didn’t take too long for the deadlock to be broken with a bit of individual skill by Dan Carter who turned the centre half and took it round the keeper who then fouled her. No penalty was given but advantage was played (thankfully the right call by the referee in this case) as the ball rolled to Fran Kirby who chipped it towards and open net, and despite the desperate efforts of the defender the ball hit the back of the net. We were all ecstatic; we had scored and were 1-0 up in our first game! A second goal soon followed as the momentum swung in our favour; a cross from Fran picked our Aileen Whelan who volleyed the ball into the roof of the net, 2-0 to us, the job was nearly done. 90 minutes were up and the final whistle blew, sweat dripping and tired legs, the team walked off the pitch with their heads held high as winners. GBR 2 BRAZIL 0.

Great Britain Team Huddle

Each and every player can be proud of what they achieved today, overcoming the humid and hot conditions to gain our first 3 point off the tournament. It’s the best start we could have asked for and it’s one step closer to achieving our overall goal. I think today more than ever we all appreciated the ice baths to cool down and recovery as we now only have one day before we face Japan.

Today's starting 11 vs Brazil