The hosts kick off the tournament against Austria tonight at a sold-out Old Traffordand Williamson believes home support could help Sarina Wiegman‘s side a big advantage over their rivals.
Williamson says England will feed on large crowds and insists they enjoy having the nation’s eyes on them tonight as they try to prove their credentials as leading contenders for the trophy.
Asked by Standard Sport if home support could be an advantage, Williamson said, “One hundred percent. They are the 12th man.
“And to be honest, Sarina has experience with that [Wiegman guided her native Holland to Euro glory in 2017] and that’s something she wants us to embrace, and maybe something we weren’t very good at in the past.
“So we’re thrilled that there will be 75,000 fans tonight, and most of them will be there for us. Obviously that’s an advantage for us. We’re home so we plan to use and embrace it as much as possible.” .”
England are entering the tournament as one of the favorites to go all the way, and Wiegman has urged her side to embrace that tag.
“We know the tournament starts tonight and we’ve been waiting a long time for that,” she said. “It’s an exciting moment and it would be really weird if we didn’t feel excited. We’re just doing the same things we always do, just focusing on our playing style as individuals and as a team.”
England have never won a major tournament in women’s football, but the talent on the squad means there is real optimism to end that wait this summer.
Several members of the England squad have had success domestically with their club sides, and Williamson believes that will serve them well.
“We are very lucky to have many talented players within the team who have won [trophies] home country,” said the Arsenal star.
Leah Williamson hopes to inspire host country England to European Championship glory
† FATHER“You look at Lucy Bronze, such an award-winning footballer, and that adds so much value to our team. But getting over that line, until we do it, is a matter of faith. Can you do it? Can you move on go than you’ve been?”
England had fitness issues leading up to the tournament as Ellen White had Covid and Bronze was also ill. But both have passed fit and Wiegman has a fully fit squad for tonight’s opener.
“We have shown that we have a very good squad, with depth, and it is very good that we have to make hard choices,” said Wiegman.