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Williamson embracing the pressure
England captain Leah Williamson insists the Women’s Euro 2022 hosts are embracing the pressure ahead of their tournament opener against Austria tonight.
The Lionesses are bidding to win their first major international title, kicking off at a sold-out Old Trafford this evening.
Captaining her country for the first time at a finals after taking over the armband from Steph Houghton, the Arsenal ace knows the Group A encounter will be an occasion to savour.
Williamson said: “I’m sure when I look back it will be a moment I will remember forever.
“I think the only thing that could top being on the pitch would be sitting with [friends and family]. I think they will be really excited. It’s a very proud moment and I will try to enjoy it as much as I can.
“The good luck messages are obviously pouring in now. It’s nice. It’s an event for them. I’m sure they will have good fun.”
Currently ranked eighth in the world, England are one of the favourites to take the Euros crown this summer.
Given the added nerves that being hosts will inevitably bring, the skipper says her side will look to use it to their advantage over the next month.
She added: “We’ve put in the work over the last few weeks and ticked the boxes we needed to. We know what it is and what to expect. We’re ready for it.
“Everybody has their own things in place to deal with it. Pressure is a privilege and we are embracing it. It comes with the job but it doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it at the same time.”
Full squad for Wiegman
England boss Sarina Wiegman has a fully fit squad to choose from for the Austria clash.
There were doubts over influential stars such as Lucy Bronze and Ellen White during the Lionesses’ warm-up fixtures but the Dutch boss has confirmed both are available for selection.
They head into the tournament in fine form having gone unbeaten during Wiegman’s 14 games in charge and winning all three of their warm-ups, where plenty of the 23-player squad staked claims for a start.
On whether she has decided her XI for the first game, Wiegman said: “It’s not finalised yet, we always do it after the last training session, but yes, it is hard.
“It’s the most important thing to have the best players available.
“We’ve shown we have a very good squad with depth and it’s really good we have to make hard choices.”
Williams switches to Ghana
Athletic Bilbao striker Inaki Williams has announced his decision to switch allegiances to Ghana from Spain ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
The 28-year-old earned one La Roja cap in a friendly against Bosnia in 2016, as well as playing 17 times at Under-21s level, but will now represent the country of his parents.
He will hope to earn a place in the Black Stars’ squad for the Qatar tournament, which kicks off in November.
Announcing his decision on social media, Williams said: “Every step we take forward has its own meaning. An evolution. A glance into the future which leaves a trace itself.
“A legacy. My parents have raised me with values based on humility, respect and love.
“They have taught me to embrace life. In that constant quest to continue growing and working upon the pursuit of evolving personally and professionally as an individual.
“That’s why I feel the moment has come for me to find my origins within myself and with Africa and Ghana which means so much to me and my family.
“I want to return a small part of everything it has given to us because Ghana has played a significant part of becoming who I am as a person, as a son and as a brother.
“Today a new challenge begins. From now on, I will defend Ghana’s T-shirt with all my will whilst I give my best. I’m one of the Black Stars.”
Ghana FA president Kurt Okraku has also revealed that Brighton right-back Tariq Lamptey is set to follow suit, switching from England.
