Euro 2022 Rewind: A Nervy Start, A Bucket Full Of Goals & A Run-In With A Lamppost

0:00Rachel Daly:Before we get into today's episode of Daily Brightness, we just want to say a huge thank you to our proud partners, Shaw, for being with us from the very beginning and what a start it's been. I think the reaction to our podcast so far has been nothing but positive from our family, from our friends, from our teammates, from our fans. It's been really nice to see all the positive reviews and feedback, so keep that all coming. Yeah, I also think that we've probably learned a lot about ourselves and me and Rachel always talk about this podcast. you know it's more than just us chatting it's actually like a little therapy session and I've actually learned a lot about myself and I feel like it's given me the confidence to open up a little bit more and show that more vulnerable side so yeah it's been really really refreshing and we also get to appreciate all the things that we've achieved Rach everything you're achieving with Villa you know the form at the end of the season me getting my 200th in the WSL and talking about all our accomplishments the hard times yeah it's becoming a really nice platform actually and I'm really enjoying where it's going but thank you to everyone for the amazing support.

1:03Rachel Daly:So thanks again to Shaw for showing up for women's football and backing the pod from day one and thank you all for tuning in. Every game day you show up for your team. Now it's your time. We go V! We go V! Ask your prescriber about We Go V. Semaglutide Injection 2.4mg a GLP-1. Call 1-833-4WEGOV or visit WEGOV.com to view the medication guide and to learn more about WEGOV. Why wait? We. Go. V. For adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis symptoms, every choice matters. Tremphaya offers self-injection or intravenous infusion from the start. Tremphaya is administered as injections under the skin or infusions through a vein every four weeks, followed by injections under the skin every four or eight weeks.

2:01If your doctor decides that you can self-inject Tremphaya, proper training is required. Tremphaya is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease and adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. Serious allergic reactions, increased risk of infections or lower ability to fight them, and liver problems may occur. Before treatment, get checked for infections and tuberculosis. Tell your doctor if you have an infection, flu-like symptoms, or need a vaccine. Explore what's possible. Ask your doctor about Trimphia today. Call 1-800-526-7736 to learn more or visit trimphiaradio.com.

2:47Rachel Daly:Hello and welcome to The Rest is Football Daily Brightness. Today, a little surprise, Me and Rachel actually in person. Hello. Here we are. And we are continuing our Euro 2022 Rewind miniseries. And we are going to take you back to the group stages. If you didn't catch the pre-tournament episode, head back to Daily Brightness and do have a listen to that first one as well. We're going to go straight into the group stage now. First game against Austria. What do you remember from the night before that game, Mil? Oh, I think just pure excitement. I think we were just, we were so happy that the game was finally here.

3:19Rachel Daly:we spoke about before the lead up kind of to the first game is really long and it's just like you're training you're training you're like oh my god i want to play and i think for us as well knowing we were the opening game home euro it was old trafford like expecting a sellout it was just yeah pure excitement but really i remember it being really calm the camp was really like relaxed and yeah i remember that like i'm sure we were probably doing like a tiktok or something like the night before like it was so normal like the lead up to it was quite like long wasn't it yeah So we had quite a lot of prep camps, loads of games.

3:50Rachel Daly:And then it was like that wait for the first game. Then all of a sudden it just rolled back around. And I remember going for a walk the night before. I don't think I was with you. I think I literally just went on my own. Everywhere was just like Euros, Euros, Euros. And I was like, people shouting at us down the street. Like, what? I remember we were for that team walk in the morning. But that's the thing. That's because we came out of our little bubble. Because we were at the Lensbury. And then we got to Manchester. And then it was just like, that was our first real insight into the outside world.

4:15Rachel Daly:And fan experience and stuff. Holy shit, we're here. like the Euros is beginning. So when we're in the hotel, it's fine because you're in your room and everything's quiet and then outside I was like, I'll just keep my curtains shut like I won't look outside. I know and then I remember like obviously we went to the game because yeah, like you said, we were at the Lensbury, for those of you that didn't know, we were at the Lensbury Hotel and that was our base camp and then we went up to Manchester the night before, stayed overnight there, didn't we, in the centre of Manchester. So we'd got up to Manchester, had the night there, whatever, went to the game the next day and it was so surreal.

4:43Rachel Daly:Like I remember pulling up around Old Trafford and it was just packed. Yeah, it was rambler. Wasn't it? It always is at big games, but this had a different feel to it, didn't it? It was just literally chocker. And then Jill's friend should not laugh. Shouldn't laugh. Okay, so let's just cast our minds back. Imagine you're on the bus, you've got the opening game of a home Euros and you're preparing for the first game. There's been a lot of outside talk. Everyone's expecting us to thrash Austria. We know it's going to be a difficult game. We're all looking outside the windows, aren't we? We were like, oh my God, look at the fans.

5:18Rachel Daly:I wonder where our families are. We were probably joking, say, where's Lulu, Rachel's mom, because she's always the first one waving at us as we get off the bus. And then out of nowhere, Jill's like, oh, my friend, my friend. Girls, bang on the window. Bang on the window. Get her attention. Here we go. Banging on the window. What happens? The poor girl was running to try and keep up with the bus, wasn't she, to get to Jill? But she was looking at her. So she's running along. The bus is behind. She's actually spinning. she was going past how did it happen she must have been she was proper legging yeah I know but the bus wasn't swimming behind because she was running looking at it next thing you know bam ran into a lamppost and it was one of those moments where obviously like we were like oh my god to the doctor like get off the bus like what's happened we were in slow moving traffic yeah it was obviously packed so we were like there and then there was just this blood just like all down her face bless her we were freaked out we didn't know what to do we were retired every time get off the bus help her help her the girl had literally cracked her whole head and then we were like getting her attention we were even saying chill get off the bus like go help her go help her but bearing in mind this is like an hour and a half before kickoff our first euro game she made it it almost kind of grounded you a little bit didn't it it's like oh like normal normal shit's happening still much to her bad fortune but no but i mean like i mean like you People think we're sheltered from stuff like that, don't they?

6:45Rachel Daly:It's definitely not an everyday occurrence. But no, but people do think we're sheltered from like that side of... I've actually run into a lot of posts before when I was going to school and I was waving to my dad. I've definitely run my bike into a lot of posts. She was pelting it though. She was going pretty fast. Yeah. But honestly, we were just like, okay, we've got to switch on to the game. It was so weird. I remember being in the changes before the game, like, Jill, is your friend all right? Have you heard from your friend? Is your friend all right? But we had to have a good balance of like checking in.

7:06Rachel Daly:Yeah. And as a human, you were like, holy shit, is she all right? Crap, we're going out in 30 seconds to prepare. I was like, did she actually make the game? I think she's... No, but at the time we were like, she's not still coming, is she? Surely not. Her white England kids turned red. Bless her, poor thing. I hope she's okay. We're really not laughing at someone. No, not laughing at her. It's just like this... It's a so-ho situation. We'd been in this bubble, like literally wrapped up in cotton wool for this whole time, and all of a sudden, it's like we let we get let I get let us out from the zoo open the gates it's like a free for all but bless her that was but I think that was that was for me like oh my god it was so bad I'll never forget how much blood was coming out of her poor face oh god

8:01Rachel Daly:fuck's sake oh Jill please If you're listening to this, please give our best because we're really not laughing at her. It's not funny at all. I'm literally crying. I remember after the game we'd won and obviously it was all buzzing. But first thing we're like, Jill, is your friend all right? Anyway, so... If all plays, it's Jill. Yeah. And then she's like... Your friend has been knocked out. That is such a Jill thing to let happen. And then she blamed us and was like... She was banging on the windows. Oh, God. Anyway, let's move on to the football. Oh my god Obviously that was a A weird game wasn't it Because I think everyone Put so much pressure on us To just like Batter Austria And it's like Why Like all we went into that game Was three points You just need three points At the board No problem It's home It's the first game Which is exactly what we did And you never know how you feel like For the opening game Like you just never do I really need a tissue I'm literally Anyway Right As always The pod is making us laugh Sometimes cry But yeah the game The game was really really hard Like It was one of those games where you had to stay super focused.

9:07Rachel Daly:We were just like, clean sheet, get a goal. I remember it being a really close game. Do you remember how long we waited for VAR as well? Oh my God. For the goal? Shock. We were waiting for ages and I was thinking, please, please, just let us calm down now. We need this. But I remember that was kind of a bit of a weird moment because we weren't that used to VAR then, were we? No, and also I think because we'd had such a good lead up to the games, we were fine with it being how the game was. It was everybody else. and I remember the game external expectations wasn't it and the game ending and I remember going through the mix zone and the media were being dead negative and I was like did I just play a different game like yeah it went outstanding but one it's game number one yeah we've got three points on the board two we've grown in the tournament and three we've just won and got a clean sheet like that's all that matters exactly the performance just tick it off see you later game one you've won you move on there's no time to be like oh we played really well but we lost like no no one cares you want to win yeah it's a tournament and I don't think we necessarily played bad I think it was just people expected like a 4-5-0 scoreline.

10:02Rachel Daly:Yeah, don't disrespect her. Austria is a good side. Again, it's so different in a prep camp leading up to, you know, your games before to a tournament. A tournament of football, for anyone that doesn't know, is one of the most challenging things, isn't it? Like, especially at international level. Like, you can't replicate them. No. Because it's literally 90 minutes and it's anyone's game. Yeah, and I do remember the walkout. Like, you couldn't see the pitch for ages. I can't even see the people in the crowd. There's so much smoke. And I was just like, holy shit this is like a moment in football and I'm like this is like going to go down as one of my favourite moments of my career like it was just so good, the atmosphere was sick Old Trafford's like such a good stadium but yeah I just remember like I was actually quite annoyed when I came out of the mix zone because I was like we've just got off to a really good start perfect, game number one but I think that's equally why we really thrived being in the bubble because obviously we were in the hotel with no Sky Sports on the TVs no like outside noise, no one was telling us we were good, we were bad we were ugly um so i think it i think we quite like relished yeah in that silence as well didn't we yeah like not having any external noise and distractions can you remember the couple days after the first game i actually can't i feel like so many parts of my time in that bit of a blur yeah like i can't remember after what game i felt what um and i can't remember like where we flew to and like when we flew, like if we did, we dragged and we'd fly.

11:27Rachel Daly:But I think I remember like immediately afterwards, we were all just like, good start guys. Let's just keep on this path. I think we all said collectively as well, like forget the media, like they're irrelevant, can't even like just focus on the fact that we've worn clean sheets, lots to build on, like lots of positives and us are a very tough team. I just remember being like, can we get back to Lensbury and we want to play basketball? Yeah, true. Like we went straight, I remember going straight back there and just going in the games room. That was one of the best things. That basketball thing actually, like, I think I might get one installed at home.

12:00Rachel Daly:Any companies out there, let me know. But I think it was quite normal, wasn't it? It wasn't like, I feel like it didn't really feel as though we were in a tournament. It was like, all right, done, next. We were never on a super high and we were never on a low. We were always very, like, I think it's the best way to be in a tournament. I think we might have had, like, a family day after that. Our first family day where they could have come and seen us. I think we might have done that. but it's all a bit of a blur like after what game we did what but then obviously leading into Norway which I think was arguably supposed to be the toughest game of the group for us wasn't it obviously got off to a decent start and then this game was wild there's two games in that tournament where I was just like wild but the Norway game the Amex stadium was sick wasn't it like the atmosphere there was so cool like what I liked about that is it was so like open but you still feel closed in it's one of my favourite stadiums we always kept saying can we go back and play there I know just because of like we were like that's definitely a good job now but that game was just wild like the players they had and the team they had we were all like in for it we're in for a tough night here like it's gonna be everyone needs to be on it yeah like respect them they're good and then I literally just remember being like the goal's flying in one two three and I was like I looked at I think you and Leah at one point and I was like what is going on like I'm like do we keep celebrating because of like the first one you celebrated and then because it was in like such a short space of time and then when it got to like 2, 3, 4, 5 I was looking around and I'm going is this are we dreaming it felt like it felt like a movie like I didn't feel like I was living in I thought I was in like an alternate universe really good goals that's what I think we played such good football but we went in at half time and remember literally looking at you and Leah and Lucy it was obviously I think I actually got in and went like I was like we're six and a half we're going to know about half time what is happening and all I could think about in my head was everyone can shut up now because you've had a go at us for winning 1-0 we're 6-0 up at half time unless we lose 7-6 that game was like gold though it was like golden like everything that was touched like up top was just like in the back of the game everything was perfect yeah it was so good so good I had to show them been in their half like non-stop we didn't really have to defend no which was so rare against a team like Norway isn't it because they're usually like solid yeah but I think like once they'd gone like 2-3 4-0 down their heads dropped a bit didn't it and it's like, how do you get out of this rock?

14:22Rachel Daly:I've been on the other end of those. I've been on the receiving end of some of those sorts of games. So I think that was a madness of a game, wasn't it? Yeah, and then all of a sudden, the interviews seemed to be a lot nicer. Oh, England are here to compete. Oh, you found your form and da-da-da-da. But that was a fun game, really fun. And obviously, being at the Amex, we really loved that, didn't we? Remember that hotel before the Norway, when we played at Brighton? What was that? It was when I was always flicking on the air. On the, on like the Marina bit. Oh yeah. When it crammed everyone into that table, them tables.

14:54Rachel Daly:Yeah. That was a nice hotel lot though, wasn't it? That was a lovely area. Yeah. Lovely area. Mido got player of the match for that. Yeah, Mido got player of the match and Bagsman hat trick. Yeah. She had an unbelievable tournament though to be fair, but that game in particular, I was like, give the ball. You know, it's when that game where all your attackers are like on front, like give them the ball, just get it to them, get it to the players that are shining, like keep them on there. But yeah, I just remember like going back into that mix so an afternoon I was like get me back in there let me answer the questions now no that was that was a wild game I genuinely felt like I was in a movie crazy one of the best I think that'll go down as one of the best games in a tournament yeah because you don't expect that like no away or a very very very well you thought it was gonna be like a tight game it was gonna be really difficult and it just it just kept literally everything they touched up front went in it was amazing so Rach that is the first two games covered we'll be heading off for a short break get a cup of tea and biscuits and then we'll be back to do our third and final game if you haven't already make sure you subscribe and keep watching us see you soon this episode is brought to you by tinder people think that dating is to just find the one mel but i think there's so much more to it than that we spoke about it before about you know you have a soulmate in life but you have a soul best friend and you're my soul best friend as you know i don't think it should be looked upon as just a a dating app you might want just a companion or you know you could have an unexpected friendship blossom I think it's quite small-minded just to think of it as oh I have to find like a it's a relationship I'm looking for like no it's you could find a friendship and that could be someone that you rely on for the rest of your lives I think we've heard a lot of success stories from tinder from people in relationships and stuff but like you said it's not just about that it's about you might not get on with them romantically but they might become your best friend or someone that you can go to the pub with and have a drink with or go do a pub quiz with so I think there is a lot of success behind that as well.

16:44Rachel Daly:It's not just finding the one. Yeah, as you say, Tinder is for all types of connections. And it works because on Tinder, a new relationship starts every three seconds from slow burners to instant sparks. Wherever it takes you, it starts with a swipe. Download Tinder today. Hi, this is Gary Lineker from Goalhangers. The rest is football. This episode is brought to you by Wise. It's only when you start moving money between currencies that you really think about the exchange rate, the fee and what might be hidden away in the small print. Whether you're living abroad, paying someone overseas or just trying to manage your money across borders, you want a fair exchange rate, an easy transfer and no surprises along the way.

17:26Wise keeps things simple. Wise is a smart way to move the currencies you need around the globe. It works in more than 160 countries and with over 40 currencies. Most transfers arrive instantly. wise uses the mid-market exchange rate like the one you see on google with no markups or hidden fees so when money needs to move you can see the rate know the fee and get on with it join millions saving billions on hidden fees by downloading the wise app today be smart get wise t's and c's apply dirt sweat tears working hard can take its toll but your relief doesn't have to with Icy Hot original no mess roll on you get maximum strength fast acting mess free pain relief so you're ready to go again ice works fast heat makes it last Icy Hot you're so back learn more at IcyHot.com

18:32Rachel Daly:Welcome back to the Rest is Football Daily Brightness. We will go on to the final group match against Northern Ireland and this one was at Southampton. I remember this one, Mills, because no one really knew what was going to happen because we'd already won the group, topped the group, so we were like, we're already through at the best seed possible. And there was so much, I think that was the time where maybe chatter creeped in a little bit within our group because we were like, is she going to go with the same team? is she going to change it? Well that's why the outside straight away asked like oh you've already qualified like but I just think the mentality in a tournament is you keep momentum so it was like yeah maybe that crept in and players were like listening to that a little bit but obviously we made well Serena weren't actually at that game no she was poorly weren't she so that was a little bit of a you know like the challenge at the first game that was a challenge you know halfway through and kind of dealing with that which to be fair everyone just got on with it like that's the thing when we were at that Euros nothing got in our way nothing affected us nothing derailed us and I think obviously as players on the bench in that moment probably would have thought oh she'll change a team or whatever and the fact that she didn't and they just got on with it was genuinely why I think we won the tournament moments like that because it's like I know for a fact they'll be sat there going I should be playing this game of course that's what most normal people would think but the fact that that never bothered anyone and never crept in to the point where it's like And if they did feel it, they didn't say it.

19:59Rachel Daly:Exactly. So I think that's, when we look back at our time there, I think that's one thing where we were like, respect, because it is not an easy position to be in. No, definitely not. I think at that point it was like everyone was kind of on board with like, we just need to keep winning. We need to keep winning. We need to keep progressing. We're just getting one step closer. And everyone was having such a good time off the pitch and stuff as well. But yeah, that was never going to be an easy game again, was it? I mean, on paper it was probably the easiest of the three going into it. Where Lesley did a really good goal.

20:27Rachel Daly:She did that first touch. Was it that game? I can't remember. Les scored that many good goals. I don't know. There was one, I'm pretty sure it was this game where someone passed her and she did this little twirly touch and then finished it. Oh, yeah. I think it was that game. Also, Fran's got a banger that game. Yeah. We had such good, like the players that started the game, like just like gave absolutely everything. Then we had like super subs. Yeah, unbelievable. That like took us to another level. Absolutely unbelievable. It was crazy. But that was, yeah, Southampton. I do like St Mary's as well.

20:55Rachel Daly:it's always a nice stadium to play isn't it cool place cool place but yeah good um good game and i think we'd really started to like come into our form now and like we were yeah everyone was just gelled like you said off the pitch but on the pitch things were like really clicking like especially after that norway game and then to do it again and that's actually quite a hard position to be in i don't think people understand is when you've already qualified and you've already like secured your space being able to then go out and dominate again yeah because you've already really like done your job you've qualified so to be able to go and perform like that again I think we really like said no we're here to win without actually yeah and do you know what I think there was such a good mentality that we had was like don't concede and we got through the group games with not conceding a goal like that was huge taking pride in that especially us being in the back line I remember how important that was for us so I think it was important to get in that game and like we're not conceding yeah we're not conceding let's go into the next round being like we just keep you on test didn't it yeah like our goal scorers were just absolutely thriving and we were like don't concede don't concede don't concede so I think we had that mentality all over the pitch didn't we which was great and it was a nice way to round off the end of the group stages I think wasn't it yeah then it really started to ramp up and you get out to knockout stages and then it's it's all to play for yeah it's literally anybody's then isn't it that's it for the rest of this football daily brightness we really hope you're enjoying reliving the Euros 2022 because we certainly are next time we'll be reminiscing about the quarter finals but until then it's goodbye from me.

22:23Rachel Daly:Goodbye from me.

22:31This episode is brought to you by State Farm. No two football players are exactly alike and the same is true off the field. That's why State Farm gets to know you so they can help personalise coverage for your life and budget. Like a good neighbour, State Farm is there. I want to date with Roars, Carty says. Roars? Rucker asks. This is the love story of real hinge couple Carty and Rucker. Written and read by me, Nicola Dynan. Listen to the free audiobook now. Fall is the perfect time to refresh and reorganize your space. At the Home Depot, find power tools and tool sets starting at$50 to help tackle DIY projects, home updates, and more.

23:18Whether you're drilling brackets to support new shelving or sharpening your hedge trimmer blade with an angle grinder, The Home Depot has the tools you need to check projects off your list. Shop Labor Day savings at The Home Depot and gear up for fall projects with the right tools to keep your projects moving.