Key events
Mary has got in touch about a celebrity sighting, saying: “Greetings from California. Looking forward to the football but I do have a single story of meeting a celebrity. Sort of. I grew up in Southern California and went to Westwood to catch a film, had dinner at an upscale restaurant. Came out of the loo, and literally bumped into Skunk Baxter, guitarist for Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers, studio gun for hire. “Love your Work” he nodded and walked away as fast as he could.” The visual I have of him almost running away has made my morning!
England coach Sarina Wiegman has said: “We talked about ruthlessness and we also said what that is. We talked about coming into the final third, the crosses being right, coming into the box at the right time and we worked on that. Today looked really good actually. We’re looking forward to the game.” And she added on Harder: “We don’t prepare just for one player. Denmark is a very well organised team with a clear game plan in and out of possession. We will try to have the ball a lot and play our style, try to dominate.”
Denmark coach Lars Søndergaard has said: “Sometimes when you enter a match you are underdogs and you need to perform well against a superpower such as England. It’s easier said than done, but there’s a World Cup every four years, you don’t get many of these opportunities. It would be a mortal sin not to enjoy it. It’s a fantastic occasion for us. We are looking forward to the game. It will be difficult as England are a very good team, European champions. We are the underdogs, but still looking forward to it and we hope that there will be a surprise.”
A bit of news for you to catch up with:
I met Sir Ian McKellen yesterday at stage door after his play in Bath, such a surreal moment! It got me thinking about celebrity sightings, let me know yours! Have you seen an actor in a supermarket? A footballer walking down the street? Tell me via Twitter or email.
There has already been a match played today between South Africa and Argentina and it was a thriller! Catch up with all the action:
Here are the star players from both teams. The graphics are from our guide to all 736 players at the tournament, if you want to learn more about someone specific click the link through to the page:
And some info on Denamrk’s coach: “The well-liked Lars Søndergaard will say his farewell after the World Cup. The 64-year-old has overseen the national team since December 2017. “I’ve had an amazing time and it has been an honour,” he said. Having previously coached Danish clubs such as AaB, Viborg and SønderjyskE, as well as several Austrian sides, this was his first time coaching women. He said early on that he did not see any major differences between coaching a women’s side and a men’s team, apart from one. “The female players ask a lot more questions and want to talk everything though,” he said. “It is very positive, but it was something that I needed to get used to.”” Read the full piece:
Here’s a bit on England’s rising star from our team guide: “At age 20, Brighton winger Katie Robinson is the baby of the squad. Robinson is Cornish and grew up in Newquay where she still enjoys bodyboarding and surfing. “I’m happiest when I’ve got the ball at my feet and I’m running at a defender,” says the former Bristol City player who could prove an important impact substitute in this tournament. Has recovered splendidly from an anterior cruciate ligament rupture which sidelined her for almost the entire 2020-21 season and has already acquired five senior caps.” Read the full piece:
Denmark team news is here! They only make one change to their starting team with Madsen coming in for N Sorensen. Goal scorer against China Vansgagaard starts from the bench once again.
Denmark starting XI: Christensen, Hasbo, Ballisager, Sevecke, Boye, Holmgaard, Harder, Veje, Kuhl, Madsen, Thomsen
Subs: Troelsgaard, Snerle, Vangsgaard, Thrige, Sorensen, Thogersen, Larsen, Gevitz, Bruun, Gejl, Bay Ostergaard, Svava.
A lot of people in the media and fans wanted to see Lauren James in the team after her introduction against Haiti lifted the performance. Rachel Daly will also be happy with a start after showing frustration at being on the bench in the last match, it is as a defender though. As for those benched, I don’t think Lauren Hemp or Jess Carter had a bad game – I think this is a result of tactics rather than poor performances. With both Alessia Russo and Daly on the pitch will we see an appearance from Beth England?
The team news is in! England have made two changes with Carter and Hemp benched and James and Daly coming into the starting line-up.
England starting XI: Earps, Bronze, Walsh, Greenwood, Bright, James, Stanway, Daly, Toone, Kelly, Russo
Subs: Charles, Hemp, Nobbs, Hampton, Wubben-Moy, Morgan, Carter, Coombs, England, Zelem, Roebuck, Robinson.
Denmark’s team news to come!
Preamble
Hello and welcome to this Group D match between England and Denmark. One of these sides could secure a spot in the last 16 today but we won’t have that confirmed until Haiti and Chine, the other two countries in this group, play later on.
England and Denmark are on three points each after cementing wins in their opening fixtures. If one of the nations wins this match and the China v Haiti game is a draw then the victor of England v Denmark will progress.
This is arguable England and Denmark’s most difficult games of the group. Both sides possess good game plans and great players to boot. The Lionesses will have to disarm Pernille Harder, Denmark’s captain and most lethal threat. Denmark, meanwhile, will have to stop play linking to Keira Walsh. Haiti did so skilfully in their match and it thwarted England’s play significantly.
The match will be getting underway in an hour’s time and the team’s will release their starting XI’s shortly! Stay tuned for updates.
