'The squad is in a great place and full of confidence'

Lauren Hemp believes England will begin their UEFA Women’s EURO title defence full of confidence after two impressive victories out in Spain.

The Lionesses won their first major tournament in 2022 when they lifted the UEFA Women’s EURO trophy and have spent the last week in Spain ahead of qualification for the next edition getting underway in April.

England beat Austria 7-2 on Friday before concluding their trip with a 5-1 win over Italy, with all-bar two of the squad featuring and the senior team also sharing the camp with the WU23 squad.

Hemp said: “I've really enjoyed it. The squad is in a great place, full of confidence, especially on the back of these two wins.

“It's massive for us to take into these next games and the qualifiers coming up.” 

Nicely done 🤩@StanwayGeorgia 🖇️ @lauren__hemp pic.twitter.com/dXQNTsmOk9

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) February 27, 2024

England will find out their UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 qualifying group on Tuesday 5 March before facing six qualifiers in April, May-June and July.

Hemp scored twice against Italy and was able to see the funny side of just missing out on a hat-trick.

“It's not often that [a hat-trick] comes round so I wasn't expecting it really. I wouldn't mind a hat-trick but two is enough, right?” she joked.

Lotte Wubben-Moy had already headed England in front against Italy when Hemp directed a clearance into the goal for her side’s second.

There was nothing fortunate about Hemp’s second goal though as she expertly headed in another delivery, meaning the opening three goals all came from set-pieces.

Ella Toone and Rachel Daly then added gloss to the victory with second-half goals.

Hemp said: “It was a very good performance, I thought we were very dominant.

“It was a great performance all round, we were unfortunate to concede but I thought we were great, especially from set pieces which is something we've been working hard on, so all in all, it was a good evening.”

She continued: “[Corners] have been massive [during this camp]. It's something we can be better on. We've got a lot of tall people in this squad, not including me, which is something we can make more chances from and it's something we've been working hard on this week.

“So I'm sure our set-play coach will be buzzing. I'm happy to contribute even though I didn't know much about that first one!”

The goal 👏
The celebration for Izzy 🫶

Fantastic, @lottewubbenmoy! pic.twitter.com/AYIPfthxhU

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) February 27, 2024

Wubben-Moy was a popular first goalscorer as she bagged her first senior Lionesses goal.

The centre-back may have found England starts hard to come by in recent years, due to the form of Leah Williamson, Millie Bright, Alex Greenwood and other defenders, but she remains a hugely influential part of the squad.

And on Wubben-Moy's first England goal, Hemp added: “It is amazing, she's a massive credit to the team. She put in a great defensive display today and topped it off with a goal so we're all happy for her and she nearly got one the other day without Jess' back heel.

“It was a great performance from Lotte and a special mention to Millie Turner as well [after her England senior team debut].”