England have a tough opener as they begin their Euros title defence in Switzerland on Saturday but experienced Lionesses defender Lucy Bronze is welcoming the challenge
Lucy Bronze is excited at the prospect of facing France in England’s Euros opener in one of the most eye-catching fixtures of the tournament’s opening week. The Lionesses begin their title defence against one of their fellow favourites, meaning they’ll need to be on top form from the get-go, but that doesn’t worry the experienced defender.
“I think if I wasn’t in this squad right now and I was watching at home as a fan I would be saying that has got to be the most exciting group game of the entire tournament,” Bronze told England’s diary room. “England-France, probably two of the highest ranked teams playing each other in the group games. There is a really big buzz about that game.”
Bronze spent three years in the French top flight with Lyon and two in Spain with Barcelona, but is now back in the WSL, and the Chelsea star will be taking on some familiar faces in Zurich on Saturday. “They [France] are still a very strong squad, lots of fresh-faced attacking players, exciting players who I have played with and against for many years either at Lyon and obviously at Chelsea as well at the minute,” she added.
“France are a team I really love playing against for that reason. Anyone who knows France, knows they have amazing attacking threats.
“Obviously as a defender that is something you quite relish coming up against. We are playing in a group where people will be saying they are one of the teams they could be a favourite to win the whole tournament as well.
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“Two big favourites going head-to-head early on is exciting for everyone. For us it is an exciting test to start the tournament in that way. We played them previously in group stages as well in a World Cup and that game was super exciting as well. So, I am just looking forward to it, training and focusing on France.”
After taking on France, England will stay in Zurich for their second group game against the Netherlands on Wednesday. They will then move on to St Gallen for the final group fixture on July 13.
Temperatures in Zurich have dropped a little overnight, but England boss Sarina Wiegman was nonetheless confident her players would be able to deal with the heat. “We have ice cold towels at the rest moment in the training sessions ,they get the towels if they want to,” the coach said, also mentioning the use of ice baths and cold vests when needed.
“So we make sure we are hydrated. Take another rest, don’t go in and out all the time, for recovery, and do those things to keep your body temperature low.”
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