In short
Preview and analysis of Spain’s dominant group-stage form and England’s must-win Euro match vs the Netherlands, plus discussion of tournament momentum and England’s tactical needs.
Guests
Millie Bright (England/Women’s Super League player; rehab training after injury, blood flow restriction work, 200th WSL milestone mentioned); Rachel (co-host; works on podcast content; training and travel); Ben Haynes (co-host; in Switzerland; talks about London travel and recovery).
Key claims
Spain look “the team to beat” after 11 goals in two games; they ooze confidence and decision-making, but still have “chinks” defensively (set-piece and counter-attack goals conceded). England should stay calm (no panic), keep mentality, and likely make at most 1–2 tactical changes; focus on basics, intensity, and stopping Vivianne Miedema’s shooting and overloads.
Notable examples
Spain’s Vicky López (18) and Pina’s signature finish; Germany’s group-stage attendance record; England’s prior tournament history (2013/2015) and France/Wales game context; Netherlands’ fluid rotations and wide overloads.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOPersonal Updates and Week Reflections
1:11 to 2:03
Hosts share personal updates including rehab and training experiences.
“disease or ulcerative colitis symptoms every choice matters.”
Personal Updates and Week Reflections
3:04 to 4:36
Hosts share personal updates including rehab and training experiences.
“And I finally don't have jelly leg anymore.”
Discussion on Football Dynamics and Experiences
4:37 to 7:18
Hosts discuss their experiences with training, tattoos, and life in London.
“The lower part that I've just had done is a female warrior.”
Analyzing Spain's Dominance in the Tournament
7:36 to 11:16
Hosts analyze Spain's performance and discuss the pressure on young players.
“before we just talk about nonsense for the next hour.”
Concerns About Defensive Weaknesses
11:17 to 14:00
Hosts address Spain's defensive vulnerabilities and compare them with other teams.
“I do think that's their confidence, though.”
Tournament Atmosphere and Team Dynamics
14:00 to 17:26
Discusses the atmosphere at the tournament and how fan support influences team performance.
“And you've seen, obviously, the Switzerland fans are sick.”
Tournament Atmosphere and Team Dynamics
17:29 to 20:08
Discusses the atmosphere at the tournament and how fan support influences team performance.
“Sometimes you go on a date and it might not be romantic but you could spark up a new friendship or it could just be a good story for the group chat.”
Tournament Atmosphere and Team Dynamics
20:11 to 22:06
Discusses the atmosphere at the tournament and how fan support influences team performance.
“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.”
Preparing for the Netherlands Game
22:06 to 28:01
Analyzes England's upcoming match against the Netherlands and tactical considerations.
“Welcome back to The Rest is Football, Daily Brightness.”
Analyzing England's Game Against the Netherlands
28:01 to 33:21
Discussion about England's strategies for the upcoming match, focusing on the importance of aggression and organization in defense.
“I think one way or another, the narrative on Thursday morning is going to be quite defining for a little while, whichever way it goes.”
Show all 11 chapters
Gratitudes of the Week
33:22 to 34:08
The hosts share personal gratitudes, focusing on small comforts and experiences that bring joy.
“on to our final part which is our favourite part our gratitudes of the week can we do one?”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Before 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 Rachael 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.
1:03So 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. 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. If 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.
1:45Serious 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. Every game day, you show up for your team. Now, it's your time. We go V! We go V! Ask your prescriber about WeGoV, semaglutide injection 2.4 milligrams, a GLP-1. Call 1-833-4-WEGOV or visit wegovi.com to view the medication guide and to learn more about WeGoV.
2:35Why wait? WeGoV!
2:47Hello and welcome to today's episode of Daily Brightness with Millie Bright, Ben Haynes and me. So much for us to talk about today. Spain are obviously already through to the quarters after a great group stage. England are going on to a massive game against the Netherlands. But first, how are you both doing? What have you been up to? very well thanks rake i have i've had a really good week i've had a hard week in rehab finally able to start like training so i've been doing a lot of bfr um which is the most horrendous thing in the world but it's horrible what's bfr blood flow restriction so you basically have like this massive i don't know what would you call it rake like it's almost like a blood pressure monitor you know like it goes on your arm yeah and it'll strap around like a certain area so i put at the top of my quad so i have to do both sides so for ages i've only been doing my right side but i've finally now been able to start doing my left so you clamp it at the top and then it's up to like 70 80 percent pressure and then i have to work through exercises so like leg extension basically i'm trying to get like muscle back and strength without loading the joint does it hurt it's awful yeah you imagine having a ring on your finger right and it's been like super tight and it's that constant pressure and ache that's in your leg like what you have to do like loads of So let's say it was squats, you'd have to do like three lots of 50.
4:05It's disgusting. It's horrible. But the results are ridiculous. And I finally don't have jelly leg anymore. So I'm finally getting my quads with my best part of my legs. So I feel awful at the minute. I don't feel like an athlete at all. So I've been smashing my rehab, got a new tattoo, started my leg sleeve. So I'm buzzing about that. That looks sick. Yeah, I know. So I'm getting my top half done this week and then I'll move around to the inside. So yeah, I've had a really good week. Thank you. I'm happy. What is your tattoo? The lower part that I've just had done is a female warrior. And then it's under her.
4:44There's like a raven at the bottom with like a couple of branches. Then at the top, I'm getting a horse's head. And then the inside. I'm getting my number. I'm getting four. But Tattooist has kind of like designed that for me. I just said like what I wanted and then they put it together um and then inside no idea we'll deal with that when we come to it yeah wing it a little bit how are you getting rage yeah good uh I've been busy I've been I was in London for three days over the weekend doing some work stuff for the podcast no DIY no DIY I'm knackered I've literally got home after that weekend and I'm dying but yeah just training a lot and yeah just surviving what about you Ben what your life's gonna be way more interesting in switzerland tell us what you've been doing i got in the lake for the first time did i tell you this already you got what i got into the lake oh did you oh you actually did it yeah it's so cool man like honestly it's such you i was expecting to be really cold it's really warm it like it's so so clean you can see the the bottom of the water like you go miles out you still see the bottom of the water it's like people here have a very very chill way of life it's really really impressive and rich you know i was just thinking that it was so funny when you guys were saying a few episodes ago about um whether you get energy from being around people or whether you get energy from having a bit of you time does it feel like now having done london because london's quite intense for a few days it feel like you now need to have a little bit of sort of put yourself on recharge literally i feel like i need a holiday after i've spent a few days in London like it's exhausting it's draining it's total battery is out yeah there's too many people I actually went for a run at like quarter to seven one morning because I couldn't sleep and oh my god I was just like this is so nice because there's nobody about it's like Saturday morning so it wasn't like midweek like loads of traffic and then literally an hour later I'm just like it's just the streets are just swathed I'm like ah there's too many people yeah it is exhausting That's the best bit of the day in London, sort of 6am.
6:55Or if you can get up and get out then before it's crazy, you can sort of have the city to yourself just for a little bit. You've got a bit of a glow though, Ben. I've got a tiny bit of the sun. You've got a little bit of redness. Yeah, that's just got me into trouble with my mum. She'll be listening to this being like, why didn't you put the Factor 30 on? Factor 50 on your face, thank you. Do you every day? Yeah, it's in my moisturiser. See, if you want to save yourself from getting Botox, you need to get that. Although we do get a little bit of that on top as well.
7:35Right, let's talk about football before we just talk about nonsense for the next hour. So obviously Spain, what a start. I mean, we all predicted Spain to do well in this tournament, didn't we? But I mean, 11 goals in two games is not maybe what I was expecting. Pina again Millie Yeah she's up there We said this We said it Do you know what though Like I've been so impressed With Vicky Lopez Like she's 18 man Like she was involved So much yesterday Like I don't know I think she's such a good Little player At that age To play in that team But I just feel They like They I don't know I just feel they ooze confidence And I just feel like No matter your age No matter how like Long you've played for them Or how many caps you've got They just ooze like confidence and even like they get on the ball, their first thought is kind of take a player on, kind of face forward.
8:26Nothing's ever basic. And if they do do the basics, they are exceptionally good. It's very rare that there's a straight pass. But I don't know, I just feel like even the kids, like you don't notice how young they are because of the way, just the aura that they have as a team is like, yeah, it's just different. And I do think they've gone up a level like 100%. You know when people say that young players don't tend to feel the pressure as much. Is that true? When you guys were younger, did you feel like when you were like 18 or 19, you just kind of didn't really notice the pressure that was on you?
8:59No, I felt like it was worse. But I think now it's probably easier. I think there's less pressure now. And I don't know why, but I feel like when we were all younger, we were always like so scared to do anything wrong or so scared like even off the pitch. You're a bit robotic, weren't you? Yeah, I think the culture's changed to allow them to give them more freedom. and express themselves and stuff. But you look at Vicky Lopez. She's trained with Barcelona first team since she was, what, 15? Of course, she's pissing confidence. Your main job is to feed Poteas, Bomatti. You're literally, I mean, I don't know, 18.
9:34I think she's a real talent. But yeah, I can shout out Pina again, though, because that finish, I think she's like her signature in it. We literally said it. That's the one she did against Hughes. Yeah, effortless. Touch out of her feet, separation touch, bang. Unreal. It's not even that much space that she's got. No, that's what I mean. She's got loads of room. It's literally, like you said, it's like maybe even half a yard. She's literally just, she shouldn't even wind her leg up. It's literally like, you think she's just going to do a little slip past notes in the top corner. Brilliant, fantastic.
10:05Cool, scoop that out the back of the net. They're so good on the edge of the box though, aren't they? Because they do that thing where they all sort of like slow everyone down to walking pace and then suddenly speed up again. And then let everyone sort of think they've got a second to breathe and then suddenly they just speed everything up and it goes one touch for maybe two or three passes and you're like, oh, the ball's in the net. I think it's just decision-making, isn't it? They're like one step ahead. We said this in another episode, like when they get the ball, even if you think, oh, shit, brilliant, I'm there, like I can get pressure on, they already know another option.
10:37Like they're like always 10 seconds ahead of you. Can I put one thing into the mix, though? They did concede from a set piece. And just like you guys described the other day on the pod, they conceded from a really direct counter-attack. So there is still these little chinks in the armour if teams can get it right. The problem is you've just got to stop them scoring six times. That's what I mean. I think it is something to be concerned about, both the goals they conceded. But equally, if you're scoring six, you're not asked about conceding two as much. But I think, again, it's a top team. I think you've got to be careful there.
11:13because you're not getting all those chances. You know what I mean? It is something to probably worry about going into knockout stages. I do think that's their confidence, though. They back themselves. They back what their game plan is. They back their players. They back their individual kind of talents and the way they play as a team. They don't change for nobody. That's their confidence. So I feel like that's why they never change defensively. They never tighten up a little bit. They're just like, okay, cool, we're going to go and score three. So you can have one almost if you get an opportunity.
11:43I just feel like they've never changed in that respect. They're always backing themselves 100%. But I feel like those defensive things have always been a weakness for them. And it just depends on what game plan you want to put out against a team that is going to dominate possession. On the flip side, it's something for other teams to be aware of that. When they've got opportunities, they are taking them. And they are going in the back of the net. Because like I said, 11 goals in two games is pretty hefty. So they're obviously a team that are like firing a lot of different goal scorers as well.
12:13So, yeah, definitely something for other teams to be wary of. And yeah, you've got to have your best defensive performance against a team like that. I think for sure for me, they're the team to beat. Like they're probably the only team right now that looks like super convincing. Everyone's still been a bit, I'm not sold on many. Obviously, Germany have gone through after tonight's result, but. That was still if you know. Yeah, it wasn't convincing, was it? I mean, obviously I know they had the first one ruled out offside. Obviously, like we've said, that changes the game anyway. But yeah, I think Denmark looked OK.
12:47And again, it's one of them. You put Germany out against a top team there. What happens? I don't know. Didn't look so convincing. No, I'd agree. It's just that front three that they've got. If they just click for Germany's second goal, when you see them all making those runs that almost look like they've just been taken straight off the training ground, where one of them makes a dummy run away with a defender, opens up a bit of space, and then Leo Schultz is just rolling the ball in the back of the net. You're like, oh, OK. They can turn it on in a heartbeat if they want to. It's just they haven't done it that often.
13:19And Spain look so convincing that they're almost on a bit of a different level to everyone else at the moment. It feels like they're operating in their own space. I think they've got that momentum, haven't they? They've got full momentum. And that's the thing in tournaments. When you get that, it's lethal because the wheels keep turning. next you're just like next team next team next team but when it comes to knockouts like that's the hardest part of the tournament you there's no time to look back and reflect and be like oh wish I'd have done this or we didn't really click like it has to click you have to find a way to just get it in the back of the net and find a way to win so yeah it's I'd agree with I've not seen many convincing performances other than Spain to be honest one quick thing on the Germany game I don't know if you guys saw this but it's the highest attendance for a women's group stage game ever that didn't involve the host side so this is a little bit of an advantage that I think Rach you mentioned it the other day but obviously it's really close for German fans so they're coming and making these games feel like home games they're turning it into an advantage which is quite interesting as well yeah I think that that will definitely push and kick them on Well, you know what it's like, Mill, it's like playing with 12 players when you get the fans behind you like that.
14:33And you've seen, obviously, the Switzerland fans are sick. Like, it's been really cool to watch them. And, you know, I think you can tell in their game, the way they changed their game a bit in the second half, it, like, lifts them completely. But obviously, they're in an OK position at the minute. Hopefully, they go through it in their group. Norway will top that. But Norway, underwhelming for me. They've got lucky, haven't they? yeah like very it's so crazy to me because individually the players they've got are so good well that's why it's just irrelevant if you don't work as a team I don't know if it's not clicking or what I don't know exactly you can have all the best individuals but if you don't work together and it's not do you know what I mean it don't work it's not successful Karen Graham Hansen has been a bit of a cheat code hasn't she she sort of it feels like she's the one player that you look at within that team that you think even when it's not really working for them if you can get a one-on-one she might make something happen for them she might just get get sort of get them on the front foot and just do something out of nowhere um and I think you're right as well Rach I mean it's it feels like for the tournament just here I've had this really weird thing recently where you're just sort of wandering around the streets right and you're kind of like just taking it in as you go around and it feels like you're sort of waiting for the tournament to kick on a gear yeah and i don't know whether you guys remember that from france in in 2019 where it felt like as the tournament went on it got bigger and bigger and bigger to the point where we got when we got through to the semi-finals in the game against the us that was like oh this feels massive like this feels like a really massive game but there were a couple of games early on where you could be wandering around the towns and you're kind of thinking like, huh, it's a bit quiet here.
16:24Do you know what I mean? I feel like maybe for this tournament, it needs Switzerland to go through just to keep that momentum and keep that energy. I always want the home nations to do well. I feel like it's so good for, especially like Switzerland, like they're obviously not like a top, top team per se. Like they've not been like, you know, top five team. And I think for them to kick on and go through will be massive. And I've loved seeing like bits and bobs of their fans, like, like storming the streets it looks so cool and yeah I think you're right though because I feel even being here like it's not might have been a massive talk about like the games but obviously I know I'm sure it will after the group stage and when things get into knockout and I think obviously after England tomorrow will probably dictate what it's like here more and the feel of what it is like which direction it's going to go in here but should we take a break on this moment time for us to take a quick break in a moment but before we do that a quick change up for you have you ever wondered what our idea of a perfect date no pressure date would look like.
17:25Before we go to the break this part of the episode is brought to you by Tinder. Sometimes you go on a date and it might not be romantic but you could spark up a new friendship or it could just be a good story for the group chat. You might bond over football, food or something totally random and that's the start of a story that you didn't see coming. With Tinder there's less pressure, more possibilities whether you're looking for a connection, a laugh or just something new and unexpected. So Mills if If you were designing a perfect no pressure day, what would it look like to you? Mine would be an activity, like Topgolf, something fun.
17:55I just think, yeah, I'm not into that whole let's go for food. It's too much pressure. I hate eating in front of new people as well. Hasta? Yeah, absolutely not. Spaghetti? No, not ribs. I'd be like, oh, I'm so full, but I'd be sitting there like starving. So yeah, I'd do Topgolf, something fun. Yeah, maybe go explore somewhere in London. But yeah, just activity. I agree. I think an activity because I feel like I'm the type of person that doesn't want to wouldn't want to feel like I'm just on like a one-on-one date like I'm looking at you you're looking at me like let's do something fun and let me see how fun you are because ultimately that's exactly what I want even if it weren't like a romantic like date I know you say you want to have a laugh not like a friend like a mate date I'd still do something fun yeah dinner's quite serious isn't it yeah no maybe the second date maybe the third date but first one I'd still be starving activity or even like a picnic I would do a picnic but not like sit down restaurant I'd have to take the dogs though yeah a buffer you need a buffer break it up a little bit but yeah so if you went to Topgolf and you're on a date would you let the other person win no no way absolutely not I'm not feeling sorry for you hun time to shine yeah no pity pie I'm winning and if I don't win I'm not coming back on a date and I'd want them to be competitive because yeah exactly that's like well that's part of me who I am as a person and don't let me win yeah don't let me win I hate that yeah I don't need you to let me win I'll win not throwing a pity pie for me on first date hun anything's done it And it makes it more fun if you're competitive.
19:16Exactly. Because you do goopy things and everyone relaxes and it's just nice. All right, so say you win. What's the celebration? Are you expecting them to get you a little milkshake? Milkshake? Milkshake. Top go for banging, by the way. No, I'd just be secretly gassed. Would you? Yeah, I'd be like, yeah. Would you give them a bit of stick after? Yeah, probably. But no, I wouldn't expect them to pay for anything. I'm not like that. Like, I like to pay for things. So I wouldn't be like, I won, so you're buying me a dinner. No, I would just be secretly gassed. Would you? No, I wouldn't expect anything.
19:48No, I wouldn't either. But if they did, it'd be really nice. Yeah, you can do it on the slide. I'm not asking you to. I'm not asking you to, I would never ask that. I can fund for myself, thank you. Whether it's a mate, a memory or a match, wherever it takes you, it starts with a swipe. Download Tinder today. Hi, this is Garalineke 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.
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22:06Welcome back to The Rest is Football, Daily Brightness. All focus now turns to the big game against the Netherlands for the Lionesses. Ben, give us some insight. What's been happening? So press conference today, I suppose big bit of news is that everyone's fit and everyone's healthy. And that's the most important thing. As you guys well know, when you get to this point in the tournament, there's always usually a question mark over someone and I think the fact that LJ had 60 minutes she played the other night means that she's just got that little bit more time in her legs maybe just a little bit more sharpness and it means that Serena Vigman's obviously got a full squad to choose from the thing that I am really keen to know from you guys is knowing her like you do off the back of the first game I mean we've never we haven't lost a first game of a tournament for a long time.
22:58It's 2013. It's the last time that this happened. Do you think she'll make any changes at all? It's hard to say, because I think the biggest thing at the minute is knowing the girls and our mentality is there'll be no panic, like they won't be. There'll be an urgency of, OK, we needed to win this game either way. The mentality doesn't change. Wednesday's a must-win game either way. If you want to get out of the groups, you've got to win all your games that you need to win. just got an amazon delivery so in terms of like the mentality and the aim for the game it remains the same but now it's just you absolutely can't lose so i don't think there's any panic um i think i saw lucy in an interview and hera sorry just reminding people of the last time they did lose to france then went on and took bronze so do you know what i mean it's it's not the end of the world it's just made it that little bit harder but I don't know in terms of changes you know we've said it previously Rach said it before that it's always been the same start at 11 so and there's always been a lot of consistency with that and you know do you change it and I don't know does that show a sign of panic and like drastically things need to change we spoke about it's just the basics first and second balls when you battle show more intensity from the beginning and throughout the whole game.
24:17So I don't know. What do you think, Rach? I don't know. I think it would be interesting because I don't think she'd do it out of a sense of panic or anything like that. I think I'd be interested to see if she changes it tactically because they are very different teams. Like, yes, they do have similar qualities in terms of counter-attack and whatnot, but does it change based on not, we have to win, we need to change the team, more this is what this game might require? Because I think it's so important to, obviously the girls will know this, The girls will not be panicked at all. But I think, of course, it is a must-win game.
24:49I think that's what people need to remember, yet at the same time, use it as a positive, not a panic. I don't know. I can't see a change in much, if anything. That was what the vibe was in the press conference. There was a few different people asked around, has there been a reaction? What needed to change? And Serena said, we don't talk about consequences. We don't talk about the idea of what might happen if we don't get it right. We talk about the actions that we're going to take to make sure that we do get it right. And just to come back to that point, I was making a run. So 2013 was the last time we lost the first game in the Euros.
25:21And 2015 was the last time we lost the first game in a major tournament. Went on to get the bronze medal in 2015. But in 2013, England went out in the group and came fourth in the group stage. And I think you both sort of hit the nail on the head there. you can't really allow any of the narratives to creep into the discussion, right? They have to go out and get the job done. And they'll have Viv Miedemar in there as well saying fairly similar things, that there was going to be no sentiment there for her. She's going out to give the best possible performance that she can. And if the way that she played the other day is anything to go by, that's one they're really, really going to have to focus on because they were very, very good against Wales.
26:06I think they have a lot more numbers, don't they, higher up for me? I think, you know, the France game, they clearly wanted to get it out wide, attack our fullbacks and get the crosses in. But I feel like the Netherlands, they just have numbers. I've always remembered playing against them and they always have people in the pockets out on your back shoulders and your midfielders. And they love those little overloads. So it is, like Rape said, it's going to be a very different game and the overloads are going to be in very different places. Are they still playing three at the back? I didn't watch their game against Wales.
26:34they did this really strange well not strange but their formation changed a lot so they they played with a four but the fullbacks got super high and then the the front four like you were saying mills they just changed they one of them would be up top and then suddenly the other one's playing on the opposite side viv might be leading the line and then dropping in and then daniel van der donk might go ahead and pull over might then go into the center so they've always done that though that those rotations yeah but i just feel like they're not in like a fix it's not a three it's not a four they're very fluid and they can move they can interchange very well and that's something that for me they've always done really well yeah it's always like a bit of a hybrid isn't it yeah and it's always been like shit am i there do i pick up there like it's do you know how do you stop players you've got to be super organized organized and don't follow the movement like i feel like you know like let's say a center mid if a center mid runs one way you don't you don't need to follow like don't follow if the centre mid goes out wide you follow them it's just stay in your zone and pass on players but it is really hard to do when they move that quickly yeah i remember we played them mills in the netherlands not long ago we were both you weren't playing you weren't there were you which game i remember it was i think you i don't think you were there but it was exactly that like they overloaded like the wide areas like there was like three people on my wing i was like huh what did i do here then no i was i was there that camp because we were what is going off and why can't we get any pressure on like i couldn't remember if it was the one when you weren't there everyone gets deeper defensively and then you win the ball and then you have no outlet so it's like you just have to be super super organized super patient but also when you've got players like viv like we've got to be way more aggressive in getting up to that ball and not letting her shoot and slip people in because like that would be one thing i would say is that we have to be aggressive in the moments where we can be and we're a couple yards away you've got to get up to the ball especially when it's in and around your box because she's got that ability to just put it wherever she wants it to be honest the two one funny thing from today which is really interesting so the netherlands that the dutch journalists are even more direct than the english ones i feel like the english journalists can be quite punchy when they want to be but the dutch journalists are like they're on another level and they sort of flip in and out of english and dutch and so they use like English phrases so you can't understand a word that what they're saying and they're like proper English football and sort of flip in and out where they'll only say a tiny little bit but Serena when she goes into Dutchman she goes super direct as well she's like very stern and like no nonsense whatsoever it was really fascinating watching her interact with them and it did make me think that and there was like a little bit of an elephant in the room right in that even though everyone's very focused on going out and getting the job done, this is a massive game for the Lionesses, isn't it?
29:30Huge. Because I'm not riding on this. I think one way or another, the narrative on Thursday morning is going to be quite defining for a little while, whichever way it goes. I think it's okay to say that, though. You have to be, especially in tournament football, you have to be realistic. Everyone has to know what's at stake. and it's going out the competition. Like you have to win. Do you know what I mean? Yes, there's another game after that. But if you want to put yourself in the best position and not rely on other results, you have to win on Wednesday. So I do think it's okay to be realistic.
30:03I think as long as it comes with like zero panic, like this is the reality. We're in this position. We've got an opportunity to put ourselves in a good position where we can continue throughout the tournament. But if we don't do absolutely 110%, like go above and beyond, everyone's super on it, like good warmup, I imagine your loosies, your meadows, they'll all be on it and making sure that no corner cutting, everyone's giving that extra little percentage because you do need it in these games and, you know, Netherlands are a team that are in form as well. So it's definitely nothing to shy away from, but no need to panic.
30:38We have an abundance of quality and experience. We just need to execute the game plan and make sure everyone's fit and fighting. Same start in XI? I don't know. I think there's going to be one or two changes, but I don't think that that's going to happen. It's not like I think that it's going to happen, but I think it could... I don't know. I don't know what she'll do. It could go either way. I think she'll make one or two, or she won't do any. It won't be drastic. I think maybe because of how much she's riding on this game and it's like a huge opponent, I think maybe a couple. But you think it's very much tactically as opposed to someone's performed badly, it's like she's sitting out.
31:15No, because the thing is, like she's never been about that you know what I mean she doesn't punish you and I think she'll just she'll make the decisions based on tactical like that's what she's good at and you know she'll get it right I'm sure regardless of whatever she goes with but I wouldn't have thought it'd be if there is change it'd be any more than one max two but yeah I think the pressure thing is is massive but like Millie said it's just getting that like you need to be in that panic free zone like the calmest team will win that game tomorrow it is interesting though just really quickly it's interesting that you both said that it's um that they won't be panicking and they will be really really calm in there because it feels like there is a little bit of a bubble where you have no real idea on what's going on on the inside unless you're in there so it's reassuring to know they'll be quite chill in that space well I think there's no real reason to panic like if you panic you're not going to perform right are you like at the end of the day like it's a football match it's the best team will win I think the calmest team will win and you know if you're prepared in the right way, which they absolutely will be.
32:16They'll have done extensive analysis and tactical information on the Netherlands. I mean, who better to do that than Serena and the whole staff being Dutch? But yeah, I think there is no real reason to panic. It's just put your best foot forward and give it your all in that game. And listen, we won't be talking about this when they make the final, will we? And also, we did have good spells in the game. I think it's easy to forget we did score first. yeah ridiculous decision to be overruled but we did score first and we did create a lot of opportunities in the last 10 minutes so I think you know the girls will be looking at the positives and what they are equally we're playing against an absolute world-class opposition it's not like we were turned over or you know we're playing against maybe a lower ranked side and got a beat I think like give France the credit as well like they are an unbelievable team and a very difficult team to break down a beat so as are Netherlands so we've all said it from the beginning this was the group of death and it is so can't wait to be on here in the next few days when England win come on right anyway moving on to our final part which is our favourite part our gratitudes of the week can we do one?
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33:29I just can't think Rachel's exhausted hey they do say in friendships and relationships when someone's having a 20 % day the other half takes the 80 % so we'll take load for you. We're going to bring the extra energy for you. You've got to carry each other, you know? We'll just do one. I think it's better when it's one, when there's three of us. It counts it out. All right. Benji, kick us off. Can I chuck one to you then, Rach? You know when you've been away from home and you get back to your own bed? Ben, you've just took my gratitude away from me. Literally was going to say that. I'm carrying you.
34:01I'm carrying you. That's all. No, how the hell have you just got that? Because genuinely, I was thinking to myself today. I knew you were tired. I knew you were exhausted. genuinely today I was like thinking about the podcast and I was like right what am I grateful for and I was like my bloody bed because do you know I usually I sleep quite well in hotels because the beds are usually really nice but like I had two nights in one hotel and the bed was just too soft like it needs to be firmer for me and then my third night I was in a hotel with honestly what sounded like somebody just dragging a chair across the floor just going I hate that like honestly for about till like three o 'clock in the morning and i was like oh my god like please just shut up so i am beyond grateful for my quiet little home and my nice bed thanks ben for teeing that up welcome smashed it out the park mil's gone you go uh i'm gonna say i am grateful for the vets getting me in on a little emergency yesterday when i rocked in at about 5 45 they shut at six they were fully booked bloody hera on a walk the worst thing ever she's darting around with zoomies in the long grass and then all of a sudden she runs over to me she's like whining and rake your eyes were literally watering she was crying um she was like shaking her head like scratching her ear she'd got a massive grass seed and it was right down near her eardrum but when the grassy goes in the dog's ears it like beds into the skin and it had already started bedding in so we had to pin her down and the vet was like i think we'll maybe sedate her tomorrow i said no she's a miniature pin her down pin that dog down and get it out so they all pinned her down and pulled it out but they just saved me a shit ton of money on sedation and she's pain-free and happy but i weren't booked in i didn't have an appointment they were really really polite and nice so that is one of my favorite things in life you know when common sense takes over and people like don't want do you know what we can do it you know and then you can go one of two ways some people are like really really like jobs worth and be like no no no you'd have to book three weeks in advance and there's other people who's like yeah don't worry about it i think always be one of the people that's like yeah don't worry about it exactly we have a little saying rage don't we remember it be a fountain not a drain exactly yes 100 % galore no drains otherwise get out the door see you later Benji what's yours right my one really quickly I had 24 hours at home I had to come back and do a job and then fly back to Zurich but have you ever heard of the Welsh word kutch yeah it is yeah it's a cuddle but with a bit more meaning and like you know when you get home and you have a bit of a hug with your partner or you have a bit of a hug with your mum or whatever yeah like and you do that hug and you're like oh that's a good hug and it just gives you you just yeah exactly that is spot on so i like i had a couple of those saw a couple of mates while i was at home for 24 hours had a couple of those hugs where you're just like oh that's that's topped me back up again i've got a bit oh you're such a softie that's so cute thank you just get my battery back up again.
37:12That's really nice. That is so cute. That might be one of the best gratitudes actually on the pod so far. Grateful for a cuddle. Yeah, and grateful for having your bed back as well. Right, that's it for the rest of this football daily brightness. A reminder to make sure you're following or subscribe to the show and make sure you get all the episodes that we're now into the tournament. Goodbye from me. Have a great week, everyone. Goodbye from me.
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From the publisher
What are the key things for the Lionesses to focus on in their crucial match against the Netherlands? Why will the calmest team be the one that comes out victorious? Will Vicky López be the new breakout star for Spain this tournament?
Millie and Rach are joined by Ben Haines to also discuss the brilliance of the Swiss fans and why it’s so important the host nation get through to the knockout stages.
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