After the 1-0 win over Austria, not everyone is happy with hosts England. Bayern newcomer Georgia Stanway calls herself “the nasty” and says what was the best thing about the game for her.
England’s Georgia Stanway (3rd from left) apparently only noticed after the final whistle that she had delivered a strong game.
IMAGO/Eibner
Paul Bartmuß reports from Manchester
Was he in? Or not? At first there was confusion. It was only a fraction of a second, but it seemed much longer, until Marta Huerta de Aza whistled and pointed to the center. The referees’ watch had vibrated, Beth Mead had just scored the first goal of this European Championship, no, lobbed it.
The Austrian Carina Wenninger had clarified a few centimeters behind the line – too late. Then the cheering started. A whiff of Wembley, a whiff of 1966 was in the air at Old Trafford. But it was quickly blown away by the gusts of wind that swept around the venerable stadium before and after kick-off.
Appropriately enough, England coach Sarina Wiegman opted for a very attacking approach and put five attacking players in the starting XI. Maybe it was only four and a half. Georgia Stanway, later rightly named UEFA’s Player of the Match, popped up everywhere as a liaison between the penalty areas. sixes? tens? Somehow she was both.
Only then did I realize: Apparently I was quite good.
“I’m supposed to be the mean in midfield today,” said Stanway, “in a good way.” She called your performance by the Austrians “incredible”, but this way of fighting is part of her anyway. FC Bayern, who signed her for the new season, can look forward to a busy reinforcement.
However, the 23-year-old didn’t realize during the game that she was having a good day. “The substitutes came up to me and congratulated me. It was only then that I realized: apparently I was quite good.”
But what was the best thing about the deserved 1-0 opening win? “The noise,” Stanway replied quickly. “You haven’t even heard yourself think. Let alone your concubine’s instructions.” 68,871 spectators came, a new record for a game in a women’s European Championship. Like at a huge fan party, the grandstands celebrated themselves and what was happening on the pitch with frenzy.
Only too sloppy with the ball, then more mature
Not everyone liked the fact that it was only 1-0 in the end – just like in the last direct duel with Austria in the World Cup qualifier. “It’s a good day, but it could definitely have been better,” said captain Leah Williamson, and her coach clarified that. “We lost the ball too quickly,” criticized Coach Wiegman, speaking of “some tough moments” in the game.
Your players were too sloppy with the ball instead of just holding it. It was only in the final phase that it worked better and looked “more mature”. If the Austrians didn’t attack, they didn’t have to be given any opportunities to counterattack, Wiegman said.
Wiegman apparently does not want a well-rehearsed starting eleven
Defensively shone above all Millie Bright with countless clarification actions and the former world footballer Lucy Bronze with a flawless performance on the right flank. Wiegman, on the other hand, appeared unhappy with the wing play up front, swapping goalscorer Mead and Shooting Star at half-time Lauren Hemp. The most danger actually came from the outside positions. After a good hour, she even made three offensive changes.
Side note: all the substitutes make their living in Manchester – two at United, one at City – a special moment for the three of them and the crowd. The Dutchwoman keeps the competition high from the first game and does not want to create a classic starting eleven. “I think the changes had an impact,” she defended her decision.