Lucy: Tough start will make it more exciting

ENGLAND right-back Lucy Bronze insists the tough task of facing France first at the Women’s European Championship will ensure there are “no surprises” about what it will take for the Lionesses to defend their title in Switzerland.

- By RACHEL STEINBERG

Sarina Wiegman’s side open their tournament against the 2022 semifinalists in Zurich tonight, then take on 2017 champions the Netherlands on Wednesday before their group stage concludes against newcomers Wales on July 13.

With France and the Netherlands also in the top 11 in FIFA’s global rankings, it is a more difficult immediate ask than England’s 2023 World Cup group, which included matches against Haiti and China, and arguably a far smaller margin for error in the event of a similarly uneven start this time.

“It’s a good and a bad thing,” said Bronze. “It depends on the result. If we lose that game, everyone says it’s the worst. If we win that game, it’s the best thing.