Inside the Lionesses’ camp: how England’s stars are preparing for the Women’s World Cup semi-final clash

From music and mentors to a social media blackout, the Lionesses’s are ready for one of the biggest games of their lives, writes Adam Millington

The Lionesses have created a unique culture and environment to help prepare for each Women’s World Cup match (The FA via Getty Images)

The Lionesses are on the eve of their biggest test yet. Last summer England won the Euros on home soil, now they aim to secure a first-ever Women’s World Cup final and avoid a third straight semi-final exit with co-hosts Australia and a hostile Sydney atmosphere in their way.

How, then, do the players cope in the face of such pressure? What are the secret ingredients that have helped Sarina Wiegman to build a winning team?

Wiegman views targeted downtime to be a key facet of England’s performance. It is something that is not just needed to recover from training but a way to enhance the squad.

That belief contributed to the creation of the team’s bespoke base camp in Terrigal – far enough away from Sydney to provide needed escapism while providing a logistically well-suited home – and evidence of the success of such an ethos is clear.

The players have made the most of their tournament settings, whether that’s watching sunsets over the Pacific Ocean, becoming familiar with the local coffee shops, or going for walks together along the beach.

The night after England beat Nigeria in the quarter-finals young forward Katie Robinson celebrated her 21st birthday – and the team made sure it was duly celebrated. “I got a ‘happy birthday’ on the plane from Brisbane to Sydney at least three times from what I can remember from the pilot over the tannoy,” she said. “At dinner I got a big ‘happy birthday’ rendition from the team, which was nice – it was a lovely day.”

Some members of the squad have decided to take the initiative when it comes to entertainment and bringing the squad together – with Rachel Daly, Millie Bright, Keira Walsh and Katie Zelem forming their own self-professed ‘girl band’ to keep themselves occupied on their travels throughout Australia.

Arcade machines on hand for players who want to switch off (PA)

England have access to plenty of entertainment between games (PA)

Georgia Stanway turns her hand to colouring in (The FA via Getty Images)

“There’s a lot of people to keep happy and the honest answer is that I probably don’t,” said Zelem, who is tasked with being in charge of music on the team bus. “Everyone is chirping in: ‘I don’t like this one - play this instead.’ I thought to myself: ‘Do you know what, girls, I’m the DJ - you don’t tell the DJ what to do.

“I try to cater for all the girls. We have got a real mix of personalities. We have got some singers - Rachel and Millie - who tell us we have formed a girl band.

“It’s embarrassing. I’m going to put this on Rachel, it’s me, Rachel, Millie and Keira and we’re called the Mering-utans. I’m not sure why. I think we had meringue for dessert one night. You don’t want to hear us because we are a little tone-deaf.”

There’s more, however, to making a successful team than lighthearted moments. Players may be given a wealth of individual freedom but their itineraries surrounding matches are fixed with familiarity important for every game.

Training takes place the morning of the day before any game and they travel later that day regardless of whether they are journeying across the country by plane or making a short trip of a little over an hour down the coast by coach. On the night before the game the starting lineup is revealed at the team meeting and players have the chance to tailor their preparation accordingly.

Some have their own methods to ensure they can perform. “Once or twice a week I speak with a mentor and that’s something that I’ve done for a few years now,” said 24-year-old forward Georgia Stanway, who plys her trade for Germany’s Bayern Munich and is taking part in her second World Cup. Her mentor is former Manchester United winger Luke Chadwick.

“This tournament, I’ve spoken to my person every match day minus one in the evening before the game and that just allows me to process the information that we’ve got from England and process the information that I’ve done throughout the season and just knowing that the work is done and just to go out there and play my game.”

The importance of families to this team is another factor that cannot be underestimated. Look carefully behind the dugouts on Wednesday and you will see a large section of supporters in England shirts adorning names and numbers of specific players, with these supporters the family and friends of those on the field. A cursory glance will reveal that many are donning the number eight: Stanway’s number.

Alessia Russo of England looks on during a training session at Central Coast Stadium (The FA via Getty Images)

Sarina Wiegman, Manager of England, looks on during a training session at Central Coast Stadium (The FA via Getty Images)

Chloe Kelly of England trains in the gym at Central Coast Stadium (The FA via Getty Images)

“My family absolutely love it,” she added. “I've got eight to 10 people out, so I’m so fortunate for that. And yeah, they absolutely love it. They relish England and obviously love the country, they love football. My stepmum’s actually Scottish, and she’s dressed head to toe in England clothes.

“So yeah, I think they'll do absolutely anything to support us. My mum’s never missed a game, so she’s always there. I’ve got a big extended family, so they come together in tournaments, and they come together when football matters.They always find that respect.”

The families are bonded by the fact that many from this current Lionesses side have progressed through the ranks at the same time. Just five years ago England won bronze at the under-20 World Cup in France and many of those players are now integral to the senior team: Stanway, Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly, Ellie Roebuck, Esme Morgan and others.

Stanway said: “Obviously a lot of us have played together for years since the youth age groups, the Russos and the Stanways and the Kellys have known each other since under-17s World Cups and under-20s World Cups and they always travelled the road.

“I think they’ve always got a good connection, and I think they kind of like it. They like getting together, and yeah, been on the beers for the past six weeks, so I think they’ll be ready to go back to England and have a detox!”

With the off-pitch environment perfected, and the players doing what they can to shut out any possible noise ahead of the semi-final, with some handing control of their social media accounts to agents, the focus is firmly on finding a way to book a ticket back to Stadium Australia and set a date with Spain in Sunday’s final. All that remains is to have faith in the plan.

"There's pressure every day,” said captain Bright. “I think the pressure starts from the very first game, not just the semis, but for us we live in that moment.

“We know as an England team, there's always pressure and it's something that you embrace and deal with and for us it's staying focused, staying on task and sticking to the game plan.

“And we've experienced moments like this tense environment, big stages, big crowds. We thrive in those moments and it gives us energy, but ultimately it's about sticking to tasks and executing the game plan."

Sarina Wiegman, Manager of England, and players react during a training session (The FA via Getty Images)

Rachel Daly, Chloe Kelly, Ella Toone and Millie Bright of England and teammates run (The FA via Getty Images)