Like Real People Do - Jill Roord

The Highest My Career Ever Soared

Leah's words meant the world to me.

I pulled Leah into another quick hug seeing as everyone was getting properly into their lines, "Always for Nana."

"Always for Nana," Leah repeated. 

I found my place between Alexia and Ona, Mapi just behind the brunette.

Mentally I might have been at war with myself but for today, none of that mattered. Today was too important for me to spend thinking over my own misery because I held so many people's hearts close to my chest right now, all of them beating in one rhythm with one dream just over an hour from our fingertips.

This was for Nana.

This was for Maya.

This was for Jill.

This was for Alexia.

This was for Mapi.

This was for Ona.

This was for my country. 

This was for myself. 

So as I stepped foot onto that pitch, the noise of the crowd setting my spirit alight, I knew that I wouldn't waste today or I'd spend the rest of my life regretting it. This moment was special, so very special. 

We lined up, and I couldn't imagine a bigger honor than standing here on the world stage, at the final, with the arms of my big sister and best friend around me. My eyes found the friends and family section, Jill's smile was the biggest in the crowd, so proud to be wearing that shirt, my shirt. Her eyes were bright when she saw me staring back at her, waving excitedly at me before she hurried to pull her phone out and record, I had to hold back my giggles. 

Finally we shook hands with all of the England team, Leah also pulled me into a short hug when we passed one another, as did Beth. I saw two of the fresher faces on the team, the Foden sisters, who seemed bright and bubbly as they practically skipped into their positions, long and blonde ponytails bouncing down their backs.

I knew they were Barcelona's newest signings and I also knew my sister wasn't the happiest about it for some reason, though Alana's in particular. But I knew she'd warm up to them like she did to everyone; or I hoped at least.

And before I knew it the whistle had blown. The match was on.

A soon as the game started the exhilaration took over my mind, drowning out any thoughts of that big black hole, the adrenaline racing through my veins was like none other that I'd experienced before.

The pitch was my home, this is where I was supposed to be.

Both teams were strong, passes were skillful and formations were well thought out. I'd have been clueless who would come out on top if I didn't share the same undying sense of belief as my sister did. I never doubted us for a second. 

From the begining we were more in control of the ball, as we always were, the Lionesses had to scamper after us to try and intercept our passes but we played a very quick and highly skilled game, making their job more difficult.

Which was why I felt the world closing in around me when they were the first to score at twenty-three minutes. Ellen White caught us off guard with a speedy counterattack, running down the pitch and banging it into the top left corner; our keeper hadn't stood a chance.

I looked down the pitch, seeing both Ona and Mapi clenching their eyes shut and holding their fists tight, they hadn't been expecting it. None of us had.

Alexia was the one to round us up, clapping her hands and making sure we were fast in getting back to our positions. We needed to keep fighting, we couldn't let ourselves loose hope because then the game would run from us.