Friday, 28 June 2019

REVEALED: The secrets of England's stunning win

England on Thursday night sailed through to the Women's World Cup semi-final after thrashing Norway 3-0 in Le Havre – and it came after a little help from some friends. 

Phil Neville's Lionesses produced a scintillating display in the north west of France having been roused by words of inspiration from a couple of sporting icons.

Former men's captain and Three Lions legend David Beckham was caught on camera high-fiving his daughter, Harper, after Lucy Bronze hammered home the third of the evening. 

But hours earlier, Neville revealed, David and Harper both came into the England dressing room to gee up the squad ahead of their crucial clash. It seemed to work, despite them being a tad late. 



And it wasn't only the Beckhams. Olympic legend Dame Katherine Grainger, who won one gold and four silvers in rowing over five games, provided the extra inspiration in the form of a stirring video, which Neville claimed gave his players 'goose bumps'. 

'It was actually a 5pm team talk,' Neville said of Beckham's pre-match speech. 'He was due to come before but he was late. I did my team-talk first.

'Katherine Grainger sent a video message we played in my pre-match meeting that gave you goose bumps in terms of what it takes to win. When my players saw her telling them about what it takes to win, playing heart and head, I didn’t have to say much. 

'Then they were introduced to David and Harper and that gave them a sense of what they have done.

'(Former Arsenal and England striker) Ian Wright came in to meal room and cracked jokes with them.

'My players loved it. They can relate to Katherine. David has been supporting us from day one, and is an icon, and great he could bring his daughter and Ian knew all their nicknames and made them laugh. My job was easy.'





MailOnline

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