I want to win so badly... it is my chance to end two years of hurt

SAYS CAPTAIN LEAH WILLIAMSON

- BY TOM VICTOR in Basel

LEAH WILLIAMSON still feels the pain of having to watch the 2023 World Cup Final from the stands, but can put that all behind her today.

Williamson captained England to Euros glory in 2022 but suffered an ACL injury the following spring, preventing her from playing a part in Australia and New Zealand.

The Lionesses lost to Spain in that World Cup finale, but can take revenge on the same opponents in Basel - with Williamson once again wearing the armband.

"It was awful," Williamson said of her World Cup heartbreak. "Once you're part of a team, being left on the outside.

"I know how tired you are when you get to that stage and how much a tournament takes out of you - and to be completely useless, that probably bothered me the most of all."

She added: "That feels like a really long time ago now, which is probably a benefit to the whole squad, but anybody would give anything to be a part of their team when they're going through moments like that.

"It was tough. The only plus was sitting next to Jill Scott and sharing it with somebody who knew what it felt like."