It's Semi-Final Day

Usually I start the blog off by explaining what we have done today but I’m going to jump straight in with it to tell you all WE HAVE MADE IT INTO THE FINAL!!!!! As I write this I am sat on my bed, as high as a kite, buzzing from what happened tonight.

Rubin Stadium where our semi-final was being played

The usual match day routine commenced with monitoring, breakfast and a team briefing where we went through our plan for today’s game. Having already faced Brazil in this competition it could have become quite easy to get complacent with our preparation and not focus on it properly but given the magnitude and importance of today’s game we made sure we covered every base possible and ensued we were all on the same page going into the game. We identified objectives that we wanted to achieve as a unit (GKs, Defenders, Midfields and Forwards) and what we expected from the other units in front and behind us and discussed these. But today rather than viewing these as objectives, they were seen more as pledges that we were making towards each other about what we would ensure we would do once we cross that white line to make sure we gave 110% throughout.

Arriving at the game the cameras were out in full force

Lunch soon followed before another meeting where the team was announced and the final bits of preparation were completed. I wasn’t selected to be in the starting 11 but this did not deter from the excitement I was feeling towards the game. Everyone wants to be out there playing their part, especially today as it’s a semi-final but with a squad of 20 quality players competing for places competition is high and so it should be… We are at World University Games and we are in a semi-final. The quality we have demonstrates the depth of our squad and as much as I am eager and wanting to be on that pitch, I will do all I can to be prepared and ready to play my part if called upon. I know I have a role to play both on and off the pitch, and so does everyone in the squad, and it is those parts, played by all 20 players, that have got us this far and will carry us to the final.

Game Day #5

Arriving at the ground the feeling in the camp was good as we were all laughing, relaxing and enjoying the occasion. You could tell today was going to be a good day. The game now seems a bit of a blur and you can imagine the rollercoaster of feelings we were experiencing as we sat on the bench watching. The first half flew by, and as with our previous encounter against Brazil we found it hard to gain a foothold in the game as the ball kept switching hands. Nearing the half-time whistle we began to gain some momentum and had a passage of play where we created a few chances, if we could continue this into the second half I am sure a goal would follow. We did continue this form and grew into the second half, moving the ball around with quality and causing the Brazilian defence a few problems. On the 65^th minute, Dan Carter became the hero of our team, running onto a pass from Courtney, wrong-footing the oncoming Brazilian keeper and passing the ball into the back of the net. Brazil 0 GBR 1, we had finally broke the deadlock and were one step closer to the final! The team went wild and it was without a doubt some of the best team celebrations I have ever been involved in. The players on the pitch ran over and celebrated with all of us on the bench, staff included and this moment epitomises us a team and the journey we had come on.

Team line-up vs Brazil

Sometimes it’s easy to feel left out when you’re not on the pitch but with this squad, this team, there is a collectiveness that is felt by all that it’s crazy. A team spirit that pushes everyone to fight for each other on and off the pitch, a team spirit that pulls us together in pursuit of a common goal and a team spirit that has brought us this far and will take us on even further. In that moment everyone who had played a part and been instrumental in our success so far, from the players to the coaching staff to the medical team and more, was part of our goal celebrations and looking around, as we all jumped up and down screaming, we demonstrated what it meant to be one team. 

The game continued as we had 25 minutes left and if we could hold on and keep doing the right things a place is the final was ours. There was little sign of an equaliser from Brazil and Michelle nearly puts us 2-0 with a long range effort which the keeper tipped over the bar. The Brazilians persisted in playing the long ball game but our resilient defending prevailed and there was nothing but frustration felt on their part.

The final whistle blew and brought with it ecstatic celebrations and a place in Monday’s final, where we now face Mexico who overcame South Africa earlier today. The celebrations continued into the changing room, onto the bus (where we sung the best rendition of ‘Living on a Prayer’ that you have ever heard) AND even into the ice-baths. As you can imagine we are buzzing and literally cannot wait for the final now. This is why we came to Kazan, this was our ultimate goal to go for gold and now we are only 90 minutes away! I am so proud to be part of this team and part of this group of players. We are only a step away from achieving something special.

As the final whistle blew, the celebrations begun... This is how much it means to us!