We kickstart our England player blogs with the ultra versatile defensive midfielder, Anita Asante, who of course is practically a native, playing her club footie in Gothenburg. Here she kicks back in Sweden. Take it away Neetz!
Back in Sweden: Euro 2013
It’s a really nice feeling to be able to play in yet another Euro competition, but I also feel like I’l l be playing in a ‘home away from home’ environment. We travelled to Gothenburg on the 1st July in our dreaded suits and heels to continue our Euro preparation, part two in Sweden, with our first challenge playing the Swedish national team.
After a very warm welcome and settling into our hotel, we trained for two days ready to face our opposition. We were in fact feeling positive and confident that we would perform and achieve some of our aims within this game. However, we unfortunately lost the game 4-1, a scoreline that was perhaps generously handed to the Swedes, through what we would consider errors of our own.
The great thing about this loss though, was how we as a team have reacted to it. Yes we were disappointed, but once we were able to rationalise and see the game in detail with a less subjective view, we were able to recognise that there were some elements of the game that we did execute very well and parts that we can also improve on. Actually, many of the outcomes from this game are easily rectified and in our control, and really the positive points to obtain from that is one identifying such and two, thinking about ways to improve upon it.
So looking ahead, travelling to a new destination – Linköping – is the perfect place to begin building strong, positive memories and honing in on some of the lessons we have taken away from our previous friendly matches. Since we have arrived here we have been blessed with some divine sunshine, which in my mind makes everything easier! Ha!
The first opportunity we had to put our previous game to bed was playing a local U17 Boys team. Many players in the squad got to play and put into actuality the things we wanted to put right from the past. On this occasion we rose to the challenge, with a very good performance with all the younger/newer additions to the squad thoroughly impressing and drawing the game 1-1, with Toni Duggan opening the scoreline.
Aside from all of this positive outlook on the field, off the field we have been able to thoroughly indulge in the Swedish culture of ‘fika’! This is to intentionally locate ourselves in cafe’s, where people watching is the prime activity, as well as socialising, banter and consumption of tea and coffee! lol Guess who in the team is first to suggest doing this anytime we have free time…?!
Ok, so back to football…
On Wednesday, we had the opportunity to explore the Fan Zone which has been very well constructed here in Linköping. We were introduced to the locals as their home team, excellent! Jill and I got to go on stage and answer a few simple questions about our stay so far and our preparations ahead of our first game. With the mic awkwardly close to our mouths, me thinking it maybe was all in my head, however my roomie KB confirmed to me later that that was indeed the case Thank you KB! Ha. Anyway, I can say it was really fun to watch the official opening match, Sweden versus Denmark on a big screen. The game was thoroughly entertaining, with many exciting moments, a good display by both nations and setting the tone for what will be a highly competitive tournament.
Looking ahead to Friday’s game versus Spain, the arrival of several friends and family as well as supporters, gives us the emerging sense and feeling that the occasion is ever closer. Today [Thursday], we were able to visit Linköping Arena and test out the field conditions for 15mins. It was nice to get an opportunity to visualise and imagine what kind of atmosphere the team may face tomorrow. Together we are excited to get our Euro campaign off to a good start and feel confident in every single individual in this squad, in that we will rise to all the challenges that are commonly part and parcel of tournament conditions. We have all the components in place, now it is just a matter of being in this moment and having fun/freedom of expression on and off the field. Also, remembering these are what all the months of tough training have led up to…
We definitely want to make it count.
Our imagined journey is about to be reality and begins now…
Follow Anita on Twitter: @NicenNeetz
