England are just days away from their first World Cup match in Australia as they look to add the title to their Euro 2016 victory.
Sarina Wiegman’s team arrived in Brisbane on Monday to prepare for their opening game against Haiti this weekend.
Manager Sarina Wiegman has many issues to resolve ahead of the game, with selection a hot topic amid injuries and retirements of players from the Euros squad that saw the same starting eleven in every game.
While the eyes of the nation will be on the Lionesses for the tournament, Monday saw torrential rain, a video of Alessia Russo meeting David Beckham aired and flashbacks to a garbage can that turned up at training camp.
Mail Sports Kathryn Batte brings the first edition of the Women’s World Cup Notebook.
The English national coach Sarina Wiegman prepares England for the first match of the World Cup on Saturday against Haiti
England hope to add world dominance to their European triumph last year
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
As the band Crowded House from Melbourne once sang: ‘Always take the weather with you.’
The lionesses’ training camp was in the remote Sunshine Coast town of Marcoola – and most days the region lived up to its name.
But when England moved to Brisbane on Monday for their opening game, torrential rain met them. Hopefully no omen for Saturday’s game.
CHOPPED OVER THE HAKA
The Netherlands and Spain showed how not to endear themselves to the locals after being forced to apologize for appearing to mock the Haka.
Just days after landing in New Zealand, four Spanish players were filmed imitating the ceremonial Maori dance, with the clip shared by the team’s social media account before being taken down.
Similarly, a video on the Dutch Twitter page showed defender Merel van Dongen shouting ‘Haka, New Zealand’ while slapping her thighs. Both teams were heavily criticized and accused of being disrespectful.
Spain was forced to apologize for appearing to mock the Haka in a video shared on social media
Merel van Dongen from the Netherlands also apologized after a similar video was shared, insisting it was not her intention to poke fun at the traditional dance.
Van Dongen apologized and insisted that she did not want to poke fun at traditional dance. Spain waited until their team was welcome on Sunday to apologize.
Captain Ivana Andres issued a statement in front of elders and members of the local Rangitane O Manawatu iwi (tribe).
Performed by several New Zealand sports teams, the Haka has been described as a ‘ceremonial Maori war dance or challenge’.
The dance represents a display of a tribe’s pride, strength and unity.
RUSSO MEETS BECKHAM
Alessia Russo met David Beckham when the England legend gave the Lionesses striker some advice as she looked forward to her first World Cup.
The pair met behind the scenes of Russo’s shoot for their sponsor Adidas, with Beckham sharing some insight on what it’s like to play in a World Cup, as well as his admiration for the “infectious talent” and passion of Russo and her team. keep showing friends.
The conversation touched on a range of topics, including Russo’s goal at the European Championship and how she and her teammates have inspired Beckham’s young daughter, Harper.
David Beckham (right) sat with Alessia Russo (left) for a chat ahead of the Women’s World Cup
Beckham thanked striker Russo for “inspiring a generation,” including his daughter Harper
A DOWNNER UNDER UNDER
English fans preparing for a trip to Down Under should be warned that Queensland is one of the few states in Australia where you cannot buy alcohol in supermarkets.
The capital and largest city, Brisbane, is the site of the Lionesses’ first match and a possible 16th round draw if they top their group.
Some places seem to show World Cup matches, but many restaurants and bars close before 9pm – and don’t look for a coffee shop after 3pm.
Those in Sydney say the nightlife is considerably livelier.
An Australian white ibis was seen regularly at England’s training camp last week, while a bush turkey interrupted Wiegman’s recent conversation with the media
WHERE DO YOU HAVE INSIDE?
It’s not just kangaroos following the England team. The Australian white ibis, also known as the ‘baking hen’, was regularly seen around the lionesses’ training camp, while a bush turkey made it a point last week to interrupt Wiegman’s conversation with the media.
Players won’t be free from Brisbane’s birds, with two already spotted within a short walk of their hotel.
The team felt more at home with koalas at Australia Zoo, where Lauren James and Lauren Hemp got a hug from the stuffed animal.