England brushed themselves off after that 10-goal loss to Australia and produced some tidy netball, with plenty of flair and intensity, to record wins over Wales and South Africa in the round robin stage of the tournament.
And now, this is it. We’re at the end of another four-year World Cup cycle and for some members of this team, it will likely be their last.
Has this squad, that’s brimming with talent, experience, tenacity and flair, got enough in its locker to see-off the Silver Ferns and put that agonising one-goal loss in Glasgow to bed?
Of course it has, but every single Roses player that takes to the court on Saturday will need to play to their absolute potential, anything less will not be enough.
England will need a number of factors – such as treasuring possession and consolidating turnovers, crystal clear on-court communication and individual brilliance – to come together at the same time. Something they have not managed to achieve so far in the tournament.
Some players in this squad will get another chance to call themselves a World Champion, but why would they want to wait, when they can do it on Sunday?
In my first blog, I predicted England would reach the final, and I stand by that prediction. I believe in this set of players. I believe in Tracey Neville. But what I believe is irrelevant.
It’s now down to that set of 12 players, who have sacrificed so much and fought so hard to get here, to believe in themselves and play like everyone knows they can. And walk away with a medal around their neck. And let it be gold.
And now, this is it. We’re at the end of another four-year World Cup cycle and for some members of this team, it will likely be their last.
Has this squad, that’s brimming with talent, experience, tenacity and flair, got enough in its locker to see-off the Silver Ferns and put that agonising one-goal loss in Glasgow to bed?
Of course it has, but every single Roses player that takes to the court on Saturday will need to play to their absolute potential, anything less will not be enough.
England will need a number of factors – such as treasuring possession and consolidating turnovers, crystal clear on-court communication and individual brilliance – to come together at the same time. Something they have not managed to achieve so far in the tournament.
Some players in this squad will get another chance to call themselves a World Champion, but why would they want to wait, when they can do it on Sunday?
In my first blog, I predicted England would reach the final, and I stand by that prediction. I believe in this set of players. I believe in Tracey Neville. But what I believe is irrelevant.
It’s now down to that set of 12 players, who have sacrificed so much and fought so hard to get here, to believe in themselves and play like everyone knows they can. And walk away with a medal around their neck. And let it be gold.