"The Norwegian manager has made an interesting choice for this tough match against England," Alex Scott said to Ian Wright, as they sat in the commentators box above the stadium in Brighton.
"Leaving two of their best midfielders, and arguably their best midfielders players in the team, Eva Valtersen, and Frida Maanum on the bench."
"Why do we think that was the case? Wouldn't you want to put your best team on that pitch? Especially against England?"
"Could be tactically, or it could just be that that manager is out of his mind."
"I'll hope for the first option," Alex laughed, "however, I wouldn't be surprised if it is the second."
I was sitting in the stadium, a few minutes before kick off. It was England against Norway. The favourites against the underdogs. The best against the surprise package. I was, at first, conflicted about who I thought would win. Norway had some incredible players: Ada Hegerberg, Caroline Graham Hansen, Guro Reiten, Ingrid Engen, Eva Valtersen, Frida Maanum. They were stacked, at least in my opinion they were. Whenever I came up against a player such as Ingrid, or Eva in the midfield, it was a struggle. The World Cup in 2019 was a hard loss for us, falling short to this incredible Norwegian side.
So, at least in the beginning, I thought England would have it tough. Leah and Millie would have to try to contain Ada. Keira, Georgia and Fran would be up against a midfield with Ingrid, Frida and Eva. Lucy would have to try to stop Guro, and Ellen, Beth and Lauren would be trying to get past a backline with Maren Mjelde, a centre back for Chelsea who never gets enough praise.
Except, when I looked on the team list, two of their bests, Eva and Frida, weren't starting. They were on the bench, and that, in my opinion, changed everything.
I went to the game with Caitlin, Steph and Katie, sitting in the friends and family section. Beth had allotted two of her tickets to Caitlin and Steph, and Leah gave me and Katie two of hers, meaning we could all go together.
Steph drove us down to Brighton, picking the rest of us up on the way. We each wore an England jersey: Steph and Katie wore a Beth jersey and Caitlin and I wore a Leah jersey.
"Predictions?" I asked the girls, as I sat in the front, as I had called 'shotgun' a few days earlier.
"England, 2-1," Katie claimed.
"Hm, England 1-0," Caitlin said.
"I reckon Norway could maybe get an upset. 1-1," Steph then said.
"You think?" I asked.
"Well, why not?" Steph asked.
"I'm going to go England 2-0," I predicted.
"Right, well let's see who is closest," Steph then said, continuing down the highway.
As we arrived, we were stopped a few times for photos from Arsenal fans, and then headed to our seats.
I watched Norway warm up, seeing both Frida and Eva look decidedly unimpressed, most likely because neither of them are starting (and to be fair, I would be frustrated too especially as it is such a big match in the grand scheme of things.)
"Thoughts on neither Frida or Eva starting?" I asked Katie who sat next to me.
"I'm confused," Katie replied. "Like Frida is the best option they have for that attacking midfield role, and Eva... like they need her in that midfield."
"Well, I guess she was only recently injured, right?" I said, looking down at my feet. I was actually the offender when it came to Eva Valtersen's injury, clipping her foot only a few months earlier and causing her to hurt her hamstring (I think). I felt awful, but as she said herself, it was just a part of football.
"She's been back for a while. Played a few for City before the season actually ended," Katie explained.
"Oh, then that is so strange," I replied.
"Yep, and it won't end well." Katie was right. Within the first half, England were up 6-0. Beth and Ellen had first half doubles, Georgia had a penalty and Lauren grabbed her first of the tournament too.
6-0. I couldn't believe it, and as I looked over at the bench that consisted of the incredible players like Eva and Frida, neither could they.
"Holy shit," I said to Caitlin.
"Holy fucking shit," she answered.
The second half was better from Norway, but still, Beth completed her hat trick and Alessia Russo added the eight. Despite Eva and Frida both coming on early in the second half, nothing could be done. They were demolished by an English side so determined to win the whole goddamn thing.
I didn't go down to Leah after the game. I saw her looking, and after a small wave, I walked away, with Caitlin behind me.
"You don't want to go down?" Caitlin asked.
"Not sure I want to bring that much attention to myself, and besides, it's Leah's tournament not mine." Caitlin nodded her head, understanding slightly what I was trying to get at.
On the car trip home, Caitlin was on her phone, and Katie fell asleep. It was just Steph and I to talk.
"So, how are you and Leah?" Steph asked.
"Good," I replied, trying to hold in the smile.
"I'm happy then, you both deserve it."
"You heard from Ellie?" I asked her.
"Sorta, she's doing okay."
"Had surgery yet?" I asked.
"Yep, she's had surgery and is starting rehab. I'm pretty sure she's in England, to watch-" Steph soon stopped talking.
"You can say her name, you know. Daan?"
"Yeah, Daan."
"Oi, Tipp," Caitlin soon interrupted, "what's your address again?"
"Why?" I asked.
"Just so I know," Caitlin replied, and I answered her. "Thank you."
"All I know," Steph soon said, "is that you are happy and so is she, right?"
"Yeah, exactly."
"So, everything is okay? And everything will be okay when she comes back? Cause I say the tension..."
"Steph, there was no tension," I said, trying to lie as well as possible.
"You're a shit liar," Steph laughed.
"Fine, maybe a little tension, but it will be fine, Steph, don't stress." Steph nodded her head, and I soon fell off into a sleep, letting my thoughts take over my head.
"Tipp," Steph said, nudging me softly. We had arrived at my apartment, and she woke me up from what felt like the longest and yet shortest sleep of my life. "We're here." I opened my eyes, rubbing them softly, before giving my friend a hug, and getting out.
I walked up the stairs to my apartment, and as I walked in, it was early in the morning. I grabbed myself a drink, warming up my stomach and tried to finish off the whiskey I had in the bottle. There wasn't much left... well not that much at least.
I woke up the next morning, hung over and a bit groggy, but I had jobs to do.
The next few days consisted of me missing Leah, going to the gym and drinking. A lot of drinking. It happens when I'm bored and lonely; I guess that made sense.
I was drinking in my apartment the night before I was set to head to Southampton to watch the final England group game. It was nothing bad, just a beer. I normally had a light bit of alcohol, while I sat on my couch watching any array of sport.
As I did, I had a knock on my door. I was confused, not knowing who to expect.
I walked up, looking through the peephole.
Shit.
note:
- who is it? ;)