Women’s World Cup 2023

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      Football chiefs target second trophy triumph for Lionesses as part of new women’s game strategy

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      THE FA says a second major trophy win for the Lionesses is one of the top targets of its new women’s and girls’ game strategy. The four-year plan, announced today, comes just over two years on from England’s historic Euros triumph. The FA says helping England win a second major trophy as one of four strategic priorities in its new plans for the women’s gameCredit: ReutersFootball chiefs also hope help Lionesses youth teams succeed in international competition finalsCredit: GettyNext summer Sarina Wiegman’s players, who became the first England side to reach a Women’s World Cup final last year, will begin their quest to be crowned Euros champions once again. The Lionesses are one of nine sides who have automatically qualified for next year’s contest in Switzerland which starts on July 2. As part of its ‘Reaching Higher strategy’ the FA outlined achieving another major tournament triumph as one of four strategic priorities. Football chiefs also hope England can achieve World Cup glory in Brazil in 2027 after falling to a narrow 1-0 final loss to Spain in the last tournament in Australia last summer. Read More Football Stories And senior officials in the governing body insist meticulous preparations are being made to support the endeavours of Wiegman’s side. Kay Cossington, FA Women’s technical director said: “We talk about the top end of this. “We talk about how to look at the next four years for our senior team.”For 2025 with the Euros and for 2027 in preparation for the World Cup, our planning is absolutely meticulous.Most read in Football“It’s about understanding and recognising, for us in tournament football when we’re preparing for European Championships and World Cups, what’s really important. “What are the bits that we’re going to go after, and how do we effectively prepare putting 23 players in a squad in a tournament to perform.”That’s our job as a collective system. “How can we help players and staff to perform under the greatest amounts of pressure?”We have to be really, really clear and super explicit about what we do and what we don’t do, what’s going to make the boat go fast and what’s going to sink the boat, “Also the bits in between are what often cause the most amount of noise, the most amount of stress and sleepless nights.”The release of the FA’s new strategy comes hours ahead of the young Lionesses battling Spain for a place in semi-finals Women’s Under-17 World Cup in the Dominican Republic.The match is due to be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and Fifa+ from 10:45pm this evening. The winners of the clash, which commences at 11:00pm UK time, at the Felix Sanchez Stadium in Santo Domingo, will face North Korea this Sunday. And Cossington says the FA’s aim is to continue developing its “playing, coaching and operating curriculum” to support young players rising through the ranks to be able to perform on the biggest internationals stages. She adds: “Our blueprint for success is what we call a playing, coaching and operating curriculum on how we want to do things across all of our age groups. The FA says it wants to help prepare Lionesses coming through the ranks to be able to perform under pressure in a senior gameCredit: Getty”This is so that systematically, we are developing players’ readiness to be able to cope under the greatest amount of pressure in a senior team game.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Many of the senior Lionesses talk about the importance of tournament finals. “For the next four years for us, it’s important that we regularly get our teams to tournament finals.” More

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      Maya Le Tissier targets England squad spot ahead of Euros after ‘bittersweet’ World Cup experience

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      MAYA LE TISSIER has both bittersweet and happy memories of being on standby for Lionesses duty at last year’s World Cup in Australia. Now the WSL’s youngest centurion is determined to nail down an England squad spot at next year’s Euros. Maya Le Tissier hopes to feature for England when they play Germany in a friendly fixture on FridayCredit: GettyThe Lionesses’ duels with Germany and South Africa this month are part of their preparations for next year’s Euros in SwitzerlandCredit: GettyLe Tissier, who is Man United’s captain, has been capped four times to dateCredit: GettyA standout debut season at Manchester United, after a July 2022 move, resulted in Le Tissier joining Aston Villa’s Lucy Staniforth and Man City’s Jess Park on Sarina Wiegman’s standby list. The versatile defender, who joined from Brighton, helped United finish second in the league. While the WSL ace was not part of the 23-strong group that reached the World Cup final won by Spain, she played her part off the pitch helping team-mates prepare for the contest. Le Tissier, who has four caps, recalls: “When Sarina gave me the call to say I was on standby, it didn’t feel like it then but it was still a great achievement. Read More Football Stories”It was definitely difficult to take. It was bittersweet.”I loved Australia and being around the girls. They made it feel like I was part of the team. “I didn’t know what the vibe was going to be like to be there on standby, ready to go if someone got injured. “You don’t want anyone to get injured but you want to be at the World Cup, so it was really difficult. Most read in Football”Helping the girls prepare for a great tournament, I was really happy to play my part. “Hopefully next time I can play an even bigger part.”The next tournament opportunity for Le Tissier could come next July when England battle to retain their Euros crown following their 2022 triumph.Since their historic July 31 win against Germany, who they play on Friday at Wembley, Le Tissier’s career has gone from strength to strength. “I’ve been close but not in there so I would really like to cement my spot. That comes with performancesMaya Le TissierThe talented Guernsey-born defender, who was in the stands at the stadium watching Ella Toone score for the Lionesses that day, is now Man United’s captain. This follows establishing herself as a first-team regular and playing in all of the Red Devils’ top-flight games since joining the club. Le Tissier adds: “When Tooney scored that goal, I was like, ‘she’s going to be my team-mate!’”Toone always comes up in the big moments, you can always trust her. I was watching from the stands. It was really special.”Back in December 2018 Le Tissier made her Women’s Super League debut playing for Brighton against Chelsea. Back then the team were managed by former England boss Hope Powell. Last Saturday Le Tissier made her 100th WSL appearance when Marc Skinner’s United drew 1-1 with the Seagulls at the Amex. A result that left United third in the table before the international break and her old side sat fourth. Le Tissier said: “I actually didn’t even know that until after the game and then I saw a photo of me in a Brighton shirt and me in a United shirt. “I thought ‘that’s so weird that I’ve come back to the Amex and made my 100th appearance. “I feel very grateful to the coaches, to Hope (Powell), to Marc (Skinner). “They put their trust in me even when I was a kid and probably making too many mistakes. “But they trusted me to play in that position and to help the team. “I loved my time at Brighton and I love my time at United, it’s been really good for me so far. “There’s still a lot more I can bring and a lot more games for me to become a better player.”Having become a WSL centurion Le Tissier would love to do the same in an England shirt. The player who made her senior England debut in a friendly draw with Norway two years ago, last featured for the team in a Euros qualifier defeat of the Republic of Ireland in July.She hopes to get the chance to be part of the Lionesses squad battling for Euros glory in Switzerland next summer. Le Tissier adds: “Playing in a major tournament with England – that’s what we all dream of. “I’ve been so close, but still so far away and I definitely need to improve my game. “I will do everything I can this season to put myself there. Le Tissier hopes to experience playing in a major international tournament with some of her England team-mates who also play for Man UnitedCredit: Getty”It would be super special, especially if some of the United girls hopefully have a good season and get picked for England. READ MORE SUN STORIES”I’ve been close but not in there so I would really like to cement my spot. That comes with performances.”I’ve played a lot of games now, so I don’t think there’s even a question about experience. I can definitely bring that.” More

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      Germany star who was axed from World Cup after being caught with a sex worker reveals he’s had PILES for 10 years

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      MAX KRUSE has revealed the torment of his ten-year battle with HAEMORRHOIDS.The striker won 14 caps for Germany and played for Bundesliga clubs Borussia Monchengladbach, Werder Bremen and Wolfsburg.Max Kruse played for ten years with haemorrhoidsCredit: GettyIt is currently on Big Brother in GermanyCredit: JoynNewly-retired Kruse said earlier this week that he was axed from Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning squad after being caught with a sex worker in London.And the 36-year-old has now confessed to suffering further pain after living with piles for a decade.Kruse is currently taking part in German TV’s version of Big Brother.He told housemates: “I have haemorrhoids. I have never been to the doctors about them.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”I have been fighting a running battle with them for ten years.”I am no fan of the idea of using the sort of chair a woman sits on at the gynaecologist’s surgery to have my backside looked at.”Then someone will fumble around in my rear end.  I still struggle to cope with the idea.”Kruse’s housemates Leyla Lahouar and Mike Heiter voiced their dismay at having to use the same toilet and swimming pool as him.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThey also urged the former German international to see a doctor once he leaves the Big Brother house.Kruse has made as many headlines off the field as on it during his controversial career.Football teams that controversially changed their badgeHe has enjoyed a lucrative side hustle playing poker, regularly competing at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.But he was disciplined by Wolfsburg in 2016 after losing 75,000 euros in cash, which he left in the back of a taxi.His other clubs include St Pauli, Freiburg, Union Berlin, SC Paderborn and Turkish side Fenerbahce.Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Lee Carsley reveals how England can win World Cup as he warns ‘we can’t just do the same and expect something different’

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      LEE CARSLEY believes England can win the 2026 World Cup — but only if the Three Lions embrace change.Interim boss Carsley saw his gamble to play without a recognised No 9 backfire in the shock 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley on Thursday.England interim boss Lee Carsley claims the national team can win the 2026 World CupCredit: GettyEngland can only end their trophy drought if they embrace change, claims CarsleyCredit: AlamyEngland’s men have not won a major tournament since 1966. But after two Euro final defeats, Carsley is on a mission to find the magic formula that will see Harry Kane and Co finally end 60 years of hurt.Carsley said: “I’m really wary of the fact that the last time we won something was 1966, so we have to have that ability to try something different. We’re not that far away. We have been close twice.“It was important that I put my own stamp on the team and the squad and tried something different because the understanding is that, unless it changes, it won’t change.”Predecessor Gareth Southgate took England to the last two Euros finals, losing to Italy on penalties in 2021 and 2-1 against Spain in the summer.Read More on FootballHe also oversaw World Cup campaigns that ended at the semi-final stage in 2018 and last eight two years ago.But Southgate was often criticised for being too cautious tactically.Now Carsley, who takes charge for the fourth time as caretaker on Sunday’s Nations League clash with Finland, added: “Your human instinct is to be safe, to go with things that you’re comfortable with.“But I felt it was important to be out of my comfort zone.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“I have to try something because we’ve got to put ourselves in a position where we can win.“To think that we can just do the same again and expect something different is naive.Lee Carsley appears to admit staggeringly short amount of time England practised bold new tactic before Greece shocker“I don’t want to sit back in a month’s time with regrets that I was safe. This is a great opportunity, not only for myself but for the rest of the staff and players to try something different.“We’re also looking bigger picture in terms of World Cup qualification and then hopefully the World Cup — that we’ve got a good understanding of the player capabilities.”Some reports claim Carsley has doubts over taking the job long-term but he refuses to rule himself out completely.He said: “I don’t see this as an audition. I don’t see it as the biggest chance I have ever had.“I see it as a privilege. I see it as an unbelievable responsibility.“I have got three more games left and I want to try to make sure that the squad are in a really good position.The youth paves the way“That we have seen players play in different positions and we are in a healthy position.”Carsley, 50, wants to adopt a more attacking brand of football, having triumphed at last year’s Under-21 Euros playing that way.It was the latest in a number of youth competitions won by England in the last decade.And Carsley believes it will pave the way to senior success — just like it has for Germany and Spain in recent decades.Asked if he really felt England can win the next World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico, the former Everton midfielder replied: “Yeah.“The past is a good indicator of the future and we’ve got quite a few players now that have won a lot with England. They’ve felt that before.England stars ‘used to winning’“They come to St George’s, they come on England camps, and they’re used to winning.“They’re used to being in the latter stages of competitions and being successful. That can only be a good thing for us.“If you think back to that Germany team, and the Spain team, that were really successful at the younger age groups that came through.“I think potentially we could be coming into a period of that ilk.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We’ve been so close in the past and with a bit more luck, or belief, on our side it could have been different.“But as we stand at the minute it’s not, so I believe that we could be coming into a phase of that kind of success.” More

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      North Korea win Women’s U20 World Cup final against Japan after stunning victories over USA and Brazil

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      NORTH KOREA have won the Women’s U20 World Cup after beating Japan in the final.Choe Il-Son was the hero as she netted a brilliant winner to hand North Korea the trophy.North Korea are Women’s U20 World Cup championsCredit: EPAChoe Il-Son celebrates with her team-mates after netting the winnerCredit: RexThey shocked several big favourites on the road to glory in Bogata including USA and Brazil.And the final continued the theme with North Korea big underdogs going up against Japan.But they created a piece of history and their 1-0 win means they are U20 World Cup champions for a third time.Choe was the hero and she won the game in style, bending a left-footed shot into the back of the net with the help of a headed flick from a defender.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe 17-year-old picked up the ball on the right flank and cleverly stepped over it, allowing her to beat her marker to the ball.She then darted inside before unleashing the curling drive that the goalkeeper was unable to keep out.That sparked wild scenes as Choe’s team-mates all rushed over and a massive pile-on ensued.Fans were amazed by the victory and many offered their congratulations.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSOne fan said: “What a team!!”Another added: “Congratulations girls. You are the best.”Sir Alex Ferguson, 82, admits dementia fears as legendary Man Utd boss opens up on tragic death of wife CathyAnd a third wrote: “Well deserved to be honest. They were good throughout the tournament.👏🏽” More

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      Italy World Cup star Toto Schillaci has sparked fears for his wellbeing after being admitted to hospital

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      ITALY World Cup star Toto Schillaci has sparked fears for his wellbeing after being admitted to hospital.The former Juventus striker hit six goals at Italia 90. He denied England a bronze-medal finish by scoring the Azzurri’s winner in the third-place match.Italy World Cup star Toto Schillaci has been admitted to hospitalCredit: GettySchillaci was taken to hospital after reportedly suffering from pneumoniaCredit: GettySchillaci denied England a bronze medal at the 1990 World CupCredit: AFPSchillaci, 59, was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022. He has since undergone two operations.And the 16-cap international was taken to the Civico hospital in his home city Palermo after reportedly suffering from pneumonia.His first wife Barbara, who he has remarried, has been the only person allowed to visit him.She told reporters: “There’s no fresh news, either negative or positive, about Toto. His situation is stationary.Read More on Football”I know how much he is in people’s hearts. I understand all the concern for him.”But I ask you to respect our private moment.”Schillaci, whose official name is Salvatore, won UEFA Cups with both Juve and Inter Milan.His family issued a statement on social media.Most read in FootballThey wrote: “Given the innumerable calls from media and the confused reports doing the rounds, we confirm that our beloved Toto is in a stable condition.”He is being continually looked after by a team of doctors, day and night. Stay strong, Toto.”Schillaci was little known outside Italy before the country staged the 1990 World Cup finals.But he went on to score against Austria, Czechoslovakia, Uruguay, the Republic of Ireland and Argentina before denying England in the third-place game in Bari. More

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      Forgotten Germany World Cup star announces retirement at 32 after a year unemployed

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      A FORMER Germany international has announced his retirement at the age of 32.The left-back is hanging up his boots after 278 Bundesliga appearances and seven senior caps with the German national team. A former Germany international has retired at the age of 32Credit: Getty – ContributorIn fact, he was part of the 2018 World Cup squad and started in the first match of the group stage against Mexico.However, the defender didn’t see any more action in Russia as he was benched for the other two games against Sweden and South Korea and Germany failed to make the knockout stages.A year earlier, however, he was part of the team that won the Confederations Cup and played a whole match in the group stage against Cameroon.However, his career didn’t get rolling after that as he found himself as a free agent for over a year after leaving his final club Hertha Berlin.Read More on FootballThat is none other than Marvin Plattenhardt, who spent nine years at Hertha since his arrival from Nurnberg in 2014.Plattenhardt received offers this past year from various countries around the world, such as Italy, Turkey, the US and even England.However, the full-back preferred to call time on his 13-year career and insists he has no regrets.Plattenhardt told BILD: “Now the point has come where I say: ‘Finished!’ I’m hanging up my boots. Most read in BundesligaBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”Between the summer of 2023 and the end of January 2024 there were a few talks with clubs in various countries, but the overall package was not suitable for me in terms of my family. I just didn’t want to do that.”And when you’ve been out for a while, it gets more and more difficult these days. Man Utd wages 2024-25 revealed”It’s crazy when you see how many names, including top-class players, are still on the list of players without a club. “I didn’t want to continue at all costs. So I’ve now made this decision for myself and I’m absolutely fine with it.“A wonderful and great time. When I look back on my career, I can say that all my childhood dreams have come true.”Marvin Plattenhardt decided to retire as a free agent after his exit from Hertha Berlin a year agoCredit: Getty – PoolPlattenhardt had offers from England before deciding to retireCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      VAR ruins football & must be ditched, says 1966 World Cup hero Sir Geoff Hurst – so would it have ruled out THAT goal?

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      VAR is ruining football and must go, according to Sir Geoff Hurst, scorer of the most controversial goal in history. But England’s 1966 World Cup hat-trick hero says goal-line technology, which may have ruled out his second strike, should stay.Sir Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick secured England the 1966 World CupCredit: ColorsportSir Geoff says goal-line technology, which may have ruled out his second strike, should stayHowever he thinks VAR is ruining football and called it a ‘joke’Credit: ITNThe 82-year-old insisted he is a fan of modern tech but called VAR a “joke” that delays the game and stops fans from properly celebrating a goal.He said: “They are making more bad decisions now and you don’t want to see people take ages to make a decision. “It’s ruining the spectacle, and the fans can’t cheer.“It’s actually spoiling the game.”read more on footballDebate still rages over whether Sir Geoff’s second goal against West Germany in the 1966 World Cup Final at Wembley did actually cross the line.And 44 years later he was in South Africa to witness Frank Lampard’s 2010 World Cup goal against the Germans being famously ruled out, despite being well over the line.Sir Geoff recalled: “I was the opposite side to the linesman and I could see the ball bounce halfway between the goal-line and the back of the net.“That was the most disgraceful decision we’ve seen in football and then they introduced goal-line technology.”Most read in FootballHe predicts big things for Gareth Southgate’s boys at the Euros next month — especially Jude Bellingham.He said: “The bunch of young players are the best we’ve had since 1966. England legend Sir Geoff Hurst reveals his damning thoughts on VAR“We’ve got quality players in all positions and his biggest issue is he can only pick 11 of them.“If you have to pick one player out, I would say Jude Bellingham.“He is doing astonishingly well for a 20-year-old. “He is in the same category as people like George Best and Bobby Charlton.”Sir Geoff revealed he uses his iPad to watch Match of the Day on BBC iPlayer — but skips the post-match analysis.He said: “I think they spend too much time on punditry, which is just one person’s opinion. “There are some awful commentators who don’t know what to say and so they just waffle on.”The football legend — the last survivor from the 1966 triumph — is now encouraging other older folk to learn digital skills to improve their quality of life.Sir Geoff, who teamed up with BT and AbilityNet, said: “I do internet banking and use the Trainline app to buy tickets. “I use technology to keep up with family, to send photos and we have a WhatsApp group called Family Bantz.READ MORE SUN STORIES“But if I’ve got an issue with something, I go to my children or grand-children — it’s as simple as that.“And if I get something that could be a scam I bin it.” More