England - Spain 01. April 2010
It was the 1st Aril and -no April Joke the Sun was out just for this (so far) most important Game at the WWCQ for England. All day it was bright sunshine and I walked around London- restless, anxious and exited....just as if I would have to play that night myself :)
A big question was still if Kelly (Smith) could be returning to the Squad and how good her knee has recovered at the days of rest.
Since I couldnt stay at one place for long anyway I started my long travel from North East London to Milwall very early.
Well..PT in London is sometimes a mess (to say it in plain english) especially at rush hour and so the train was fully packed with lots of people and also some England Football Fans! Seeing those Fans raised my exitement even more! Arrived at the Station near the Ground I recognized a familiar face - it was the lovely Lady from the Arsenal Ladies, wo gave me (and Sylvain) the VIP Tickets in Duisburg ( see the Blog about the CL Game ALFC :) )
She was surprised to see me (the German) over here and that I came to England for those two Qualifiying Games....well probably I reinforced the impression some people might have about those "Crazy Germans" LOL
Just arrived at the Ground it was perfect timing cos my two Brighton Friends has also just arrived and we went into the place called "Cafe" (well the German I am was a bit confused cos we are used to something else with this name ..LOL ) and we had some tea, what was necessary cos- what can I say, just as the time of kick off came closer, the sun disappeared and dark clouds, lightening!!!! and chilly wind came up!
My exitement crew from minute to minute and so I went to the stands for my usual pre-match routine...oh yes FANS also have such a routine :) ...putting on my lucky-winning shirt #10 and taking lots of warm-up pictures!
The Moment I walked down the stairs to my seat I saw the REAL #10 warming up-YES Kelly returning to the Squad.
and seeing her...running, stretching and finally "caressing" the Ball :) gave me a more relaxed feeling
Soon the Evertonians (who were sitting with me or I with them ) and Rach ( well she is a Brum Fan-sorry Rach again, I didnt know that!! ) arrived...and a few rows behind us a handful spanish supporters took a seat- I'm coming back on them later!
Line Up of the Teams............National Anthems.............and finally KICK OFF!!
Alex (Scott) back in #2
Brownie back in Goal and of course Kelly back in Action!
England was starting very well,putting pressure at the spanish defence right from the start...although I had a little breathtaking moment cos Kelly was limping right after her first contact by blocking a hard ball from the Spanish Defender.
The Three Lionesses started on fire- knowing about the importance of this game and it was Katie Chapmen, who took a cross from Jess Clarke and scored a terrific half-volley goal!!
1-0 ENGLAND.........things couldnt start better!
Spain got slowly into the game and tried their best to put on some pressure but their best performing player this half - #10 ( seems as if this is the MAGIC number)was totally controlled by Fay (White) and Stoney
Oh..lets come back to the few spanish supporters at this point...as I said there were only a handful sitting behind us, but those 7-9 people did some incredible singing and chanting as if it would have been 200 of them :) I already complainted about that "SINGING Problem" and WE-the England Supporters have to increase our "cheerleading" until 2011 :)
Finally half time came and I realized that it was getting really cold. So one of my Brighton Friends and I went into the warm behind the stands to get a tea from the shop and we waited..........and waited...............and waited........nothing moved!
"just a little unorganized" was my cynical comment while we stood there like forever in this immobile queue....when we heard the sound of the drum, the clapping and cheering- well second half had begun!
I got highly nervous and obviously impatient and THANKS TO SAM :) (again) she did send me back ( it has an advantage to come all the way from Germany for the Games...)
I ran back to my seat and I saw...well I didnt miss anything! ( btw Sam came about another 10-15minutes later with a lovely warm tea)
Meanwhile a few changes have been made on both sides...Kelly was subbed and Jill Scott in, later Ellen White and Sue Smith came on. Spain also made a few changes and subbed some offensive players. This was the point at the game when I started to loose my voice due to screaming! One of the subbed in spanish players -a tiny speedy Girl (nick-) named MESSI :O) was really causing trouble at the english defence. Spain now putting on more and more pressure as the clock was ticking down and a danger shot was saved by incredible Brownie! "We need another goal" I was mumbling to myself but spain kept on pushing towards the english box and one of the few chances England had in second half was a long range shot from Fara Williams, missed the goal just for an inch!
Spain knew that they at least had to draw here to stay in the Race to Germany 2011 (only the group leaders are going directly to the Play offs!)
The Forth Offical announced 4 minutes of additional/extra time and the whole spanish bench nearly stood at the pitch (so why was it me the Millwall Steward kept looking at and saying "no invading the pitch"?? LOL ) and they screamed (as far as I understood with my rusty school spanish) that the Spaniards should all go in the English half and get the Equalizer...whilst I kept on shouting
"Blow that damn WHISTLE"
AND finally she did!!! WHAT A RELIEVE!!!!!
It was over!
We won!
England beat Spain!!
Happiness all over the place and suddenly the front row was crowed with all of my friends standing there waiting for the players to congratulate them and maybe get a signature and have a little chat!
After the Game not only me was still highly enthusiastic..
2 Games - 6 Points Woo hoo!!
So we all stayed outside the ground chatting and brave the cold waiting for the Players to come out .....and waiting was worth it!
I got really wonderful pictures with nearly all of the players and they were all sooo nice :)) - see some of those pics here :)
The Day ended after a looooooong photo session with another long travel back to North East London. Totally exhausted but endlessly happy I finally fell into my bed and did wake up the next day- ILL :) ( sore throat, nearly no voice and a heavy cold)...but this doesnt matter!!
England Ladies are Group Leaders and I am looking forward to the next games...planning a trip to Spain in June to support my favorite team.....
when the Road to Germany 2011 continues!
