Faye White EXCLUSIVE: England Women’s side can catapult the game to new heights by winning the World Cup
England fans will probably remember 1996 as the year the men came so close to European Championship glory.Its also the year one of the most iconic players of the womens game, Faye White, began her career as a footballer.
getty
7Faye White is one of the most recognisable figures in the women’s gameThe world was a different place in 1996: the Gallagher brothers were friends, the internet was barely a thing and womens football was still in its infancy.White, the Arsenal and Lionesses legend, never got to experience the raucous scenes of Euro 96 during a glittering career which saw her win nine FA Womens Cups and make 90 appearances for her country.But now, times are changing. We stayed up in our millions to watch the Lionesses come third at the 2015 Womens World Cup in Canada. The following season, attendances in the Womens Super League grew by 50 per cent, and it didnt stop there.Englands semi-final against the Netherlands at Euro 2017 drew the biggest ever audience for a womens football match in the UK, peaking at more than four million viewers.And ahead of the 2019 Womens World Cup, which begins tonight when hosts France face South Korea, there is a genuine excitement for perhaps the first time in this country.
William Hill
7Faye White (right) made 300 appearances for Arsenal LadiesSpeaking at a William Hill pre-World Cup event, White told talkSPORT: Has there ever been this buzz? No!The media coverage for this World Cup is above and beyond anything. Each time we have thought its getting bigger and bigger. The last World Cup, nearly two million people were watching it at midnight.Its on another level and that will only motivate the girls. Yes itll raise expectation, but they have those expectations themselves anyway. If anything, itll give them that confidence that theyre making a change now.
getty
7The nation expects the women to do something special at this World CupItll give them more pride than theyve ever felt playing in an England shirt.The Lionesses, fresh from their triumph in the SheBelieves Cup, are genuine contenders to become world champions for the first time in history.Ahead of their opener against Scotland on Sunday, Phil Nevilles team enter the tournament as third favourites, behind the USA and France.
getty
7Steph Houghton and co. have a genuine chance to make history in FranceBut White, England Women’s longest serving captain, knows better than anybody that the Lionesses history at major tournaments, much like the mens team, is littered with heartbreak and disappointment.The 41-year-old captained her country at two European Championships and two World Cups and has the scars to prove it.In 2007, White played on with a broken nose for the final ten minutes of Englands quarter-final defeat to the USA, who the Lionesses are still yet to beat in a competitive match.
Women's World Cup on talkSPORT
talkSPORT is your home of the Women's World Cup! Here's what's coming up this weekend...
- France vs South Korea (Friday, 8pm) talkSPORT
- England vs Scotland (Sunday, 5pm) talkSPORT
At Euro 2009, she led the women all the way to the final, only to be beaten by Germany.And it was White who missed the all-important fifth penalty against France at the 2011 World Cup, as the Lionesses went crashing out in the quarter-finals.But the former centre-back believes the pain of the past will make the current team stronger and now could be the perfect time for them to win it.
getty
7White blazed her penalty over the bar in the shootout against France in 2011getty
7White was left crestfallen at the World Cup in GermanyI think they have a great chance of going all the way. Theyve had that experience of going so close. Yes we need a bit of fortune in terms of results as you always do, White added.I think weve seen a progressive increase in media coverage over the years and certainly since 2009 when we got to the Euro final.Each tournament has shown a rise and there is a feel-good feeling around the game and that results in increased attendances.
getty
7Phil Neville has already guided the Lionesses to glory in the SheBelieves CupThe big thing is if we win it, it would go to a completely different level. I do believe now is the time.It would be a perfect time to catapult it to bigger than its ever been.
The Lionesses are 7/1 with William Hill to win theWomensWorldCup.Listen to every England game live on talkSPORT – and tune in for France vs South Korea tonight at 8pm.
globalsports globalsportsnigeria Sports entertainment recent news popular news goal.com cinema blend Man City Trounce Watford 6 Manchester City fans with an
Manchester City complete domestic treble with FA Cup win
Manchester City and Liverpool will resume their Premier League title rivalry next season - with the country's two best teams primed to face each other on November 9 and April 4.
Latest Premier League Winner Odds: Manchester City retain
Chelsea fans were not happy when Maurizio Sarri made the decision to substitute Ruben Loftus-Cheek in their Europa League semi-final. After scoring Chelsea's only goal of the 90 minutes, even the
Chelsea vs Brighton: Maurizio Sarri gives glowing verdict on
Premier League final day round-up: Manchester City clinch title over Liverpool, Cardiff stun Manchester United, Chelsea finish above Tottenham and Arsenal miss out on top four
Manchester City clinch title over Liverpool, Cardiff stun
fussboll.com/2019/05/12/manchester-city-clinch-title-over-liverpool-cardiff-stun-manchester-united-chelsea-finish-above-tottenham-and-arsenal-miss-out-on-top-four/
review All the action from a dramatic final day of […] Manchester City clinch title over Liverpool, Cardiff stun Manchester United, Chelsea finish above Tottenham and Arsenal miss out on top four - Fussboll
English Premier League 2018-19: Final table and stats as Man
Arsenal have reportedly entered the race to sign Cagliari midfielder, and Manchester United target, Nicolo Barella. The 21-year-old's performances in Serie A this season have been attracting
Arsenal enter race to sign Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella
Kevin De Bruyne has been named on the bench for Manchester City's Premier League title decider against Brighton. Brighton vs Man City line-ups: Confirmed team news and starting XIs for
Man City team news vs Chelsea: Predicted line up - Will
He actually did go from rags to riches, and that timeline doesn't go from 2012. His grandpa killed and his house burnt in war, and they had to fled their house and seek refuge at some cheap hotel At 15 years old he was rejected from his favorite club (Hajduk Split - 2nd best club in Croatia), and then Mamic brought him to Dinamo Zagreb.
Who will win in Ballon d'Or 2019, Messi or Ronaldo? - Quora
FA Cup fifth round draw IN FULL: Chelsea host Man Utd, Man City face away test FA CUP DRAW - Chelsea have drawn Manchester United at home in the fifth round, while Manchester City face a trip away
FA Cup fifth round draw: Live TV fixtures for Chelsea
Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a boost as Dele Alli has returned to training with Mauricio Pochettino's side after six weeks out with a hamstring injury: The England international
Inside Tottenham's new stadium with Dele Alli | Football News
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to return from injury with Liverpool
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu claims "know what will happen" when it comes to the future of in-demand Ajax defender Matthijs de Light. Transfer news: Is Matthijs de Ligt Barcelona
Barcelona Chief 'Knows What Will Happen' With Ajax Defender
Feb 25, 2019 · Kepa Arrizabalaga's public act of insubordination could well cost Maurizio Sarri his job. Having already gone down twice with cramp during extra time of the League Cup final, Kepa Arrizabalaga -- Chelsea's 24-year-old goalkeeper and the most expensive stopper in the world -- was set to be
Chelsea make Kepa Arrizabalaga punishment decision after incident
0 Comments