Millie Bright: 'A dream we've wanted for so long'
Lionesses skipper counting down the days until leading out England in a World Cup Final
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The Lionesses are just one win away from securing what would be a history-making moment for the English game, when they take on Spain in Sydney.
And after leading the team through their World Cup campaign so far, Bright has paid tribute to her squad mates for their approach to every game and scenario they have faced so far.
"The girls are incredible, everyone's literally played their part every single day,” said Bright after Wednesday’s semi-final victory over Australia, as focus switched to Sunday’s game.
“The mentality of this group is something I've never seen before - the resilience to overcome different challenges.
"In every game, we've faced a different challenge both on the pitch and off it but nothing's derailed us and nothing will derail us because that's how tight we are as a unit.
"We've got so much love for one another and we're all on the same path. We've all got the same dreams and ambitions and we're certainly not going to stop here.
"It's just crazy really, a dream that we've wanted for so long to have the opportunity to be in the final of a World Cup.”
It’s been a long road to reach this stage for Bright. Since her senior debut in 2015 and having featured previously at EURO 2017 and the 2019 World Cup in France when the Lionesses suffered semi-final heartache against USA, she was one of the key players during last summer’s EURO 2022 victory and she’s now ready to lead out the team on the biggest stage of all.
And after their stunning semi-final victory over the host nation Australia in a red-hot atmosphere at the Sydney Football Stadium, Bright believes England are ready for anything.
"It was an incredible game out there, the atmosphere was ridiculous, so intense and at times we couldn't hear ourselves,” she revealed.
"But it's crazy and it's [World Cup Final] something that we've been missing and now we've got a shot at it.Just class.
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) August 17, 2023
💛 @Mdawg1bright pic.twitter.com/13viO1Xizs
"I'm just really proud for the fans back home, for everyone who isn't here.
“As a nation, we love to win, we have that winning mentality and we want to be the best at everything and now we've got our shot.”
You can watch the Lionesses on Sunday in the UK on both BBC and ITV, with the game against Spain kicking-off at 11am BST or 8pm in Australia.