Women’s World Cup 2023

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      Laura Woods’ elegant outfit instantly wins over fans as she leads ITV’s coverage of Women’s World Cup

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      LAURA WOODS is already winning fans over during the 2023 Women’s World Cup.The competition kicked off today with co-hosts New Zealand and Australia beating Norway as well as the Republic of Ireland respectively.
      Laura Woods will be covering the 2023 Women’s World Cup on ITVCredit: Getty
      Woods presented the first World Cup matches in style with an elegant dress
      Woods will be covering almost the entire tournament and proven she can do it in style.
      The popular broadcaster hosted the World Cup’s kick-off in an elegant black dress.
      And fans woke up with joy after realising Woodsy will be hosting the event for ITV.
      One supporter posted: “Not sure how anyone can criticise Laura Woods. Streets in front of every other presenter.”
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      Another commented: “Laura woods on my TV I’ve woken up to worse.”
      A third said: “Laura Woods all day.”
      Woods was joined by ex-Ireland keeper Emma Byrne and former Chelsea star Karen Carney.
      They analysed the opening World Cup games in a studio that looks completely different in real life.
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      Fans watching on TV saw a studio looking polished, bright and professional.
      But a new picture revealed everything but the desk and chairs is all CGI.
      Woods will also be the face of TNT Sports’ Champions League and Big Fight coverage. More

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      ITV studio for Women’s World Cup looks unrecognisable in real life as Laura Woods shares secret in behind-the-scenes pic

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      THE ITV studio for the Women’s World Cup looks completely different in real life.Fans watching on TV see a studio looking polished, bright and professional, but a new picture has revealed what it actually looks like for the presenters.
      The Women’s World Cup ITV Studio normally looks decked out, but that’s not the reality of itCredit: https://www.instagram.com/laurawoodsy/?hl=en-gb
      The studio is actually almost entirety green screen as revealed in a new photoCredit: https://www.instagram.com/laurawoodsy/?hl=en-gb
      ITV host Laura Woods gave fans the unexpected insight into the reality of the studio when she shared a picture on her Instagram story.
      The image shows that virtually everything but the desk and chairs is all CGI.
      It appears in the photo that the surroundings of the studio are all a green screen and that what we see on TV is superimposed over it in post.
      Coverage of the tournament started this morning and fans are pleased to see Woods hosting the broadcast.
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      Fans have taken a liking to the experienced host who has also just been announced as the face of TNT Sports’ Premier League presenting team.
      The Women’s World Cup is now underway with New Zealand defeating Norway 1-0 in the tournament’s curtain raiser.
      New Zealand’s co-hosts, Australia, also won their first game against Republic of Ireland 1-0, despite being without star player Sam Kerr who has picked up an injury.
      England play their first game in the tournament on Sunday when they face off against Haiti in Group D.
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      The Lionesses will be hoping to add the World Cup to their trophy cabinet after winning the Euros at Wembley last year.
      Sarina Wiegman’s side will also face off against China and Denmark in their hopes tom progress to the knockout stages. More

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      Why is Sam Kerr not playing for Australia vs Ireland in the Women’s World Cup?

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      SAM Kerr has risen to fame showing off her football skills.The Australian star has become a fan favourite over the years, but why is she not playing for Australia vs Ireland in the Women’s World Cup?
      Sam Kerr has a calf injuryCredit: Getty
      Why is Sam Kerr not playing for Australia vs Ireland in the Women’s World Cup?
      Sam Kerr is not playing in the Australian vs Ireland Women’s World Cup match due to an injury.
      She has been ruled out for the first two matches because of a calf injury she sustained while training.
      She is set to miss the opening Group B game against the Republic of Ireland at Stadium Australia on Thursday as well as being absent against Nigeria on July 27.
      The Chelsea forward posted on Instagram: “Unfortunately I sustained a calf injury yesterday in training. I wanted to share this with everyone so there is no distraction from us doing what we came here to achieve.

      “Of course I would have loved to have been out there tonight but I can’t wait to be a part of this amazing journey which starts now.”
      A statement posted to the Australia team’s Twitter account read: “Sam Kerr is unavailable tonight after she picked up a calf injury at training on matchday minus-one.
      “Sam will be unavailable for the next two matches with the Matildas medical team to re-assess her following our second group-stage match.”
      Who will replace Sem Kerr?
      Sam is set to be replaced by Arsenal defender Steph Catley.
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      It’s hoped that Kerr will have recovered enough in order to play in Australia’s final match in Group B, against Canada on July 31.
      How long does it take to recover from a calf injury?
      Depending how serious the calf injury is, it can take up to three months to recover fully.
      A typical grade I calf strain will heal in seven to 10 days but a grade II injury can take four to six weeks.
      If you have a grade III calf strain you are looking at three months of recovery.
      The most common calf injury tends to be grade II. More

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      I suffered bone aches and mouth ulcers through cancer but beat it – now I’ve made history at Women’s World Cup

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      NEW ZEALAND and Brighton defender Rebekah Stott has bravely spoken out about her cancer diagnosis and how it inspired her World Cup dream.The 30-year-old, who played in today’s opening game of the World Cup, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in March 2021, just a few months after joining Brighton in the Women’s Super League.
      Stott made history with New Zealand on ThursdayCredit: Getty
      The defender is a key member of the New Zealand squadCredit: Getty
      Stott kept fans updated on her progress through her blogCredit: INSTAGRAM @beatitbystotty
      But just five months later, following several rounds of gruelling treatment, she entered complete remission.
      In an episode of the Discovery+ documentary, ‘World at Their Feet’, Stott opened up about her diagnosis and her incredible journey back into football.
      “Obviously, I came to Brighton all excited and ready to go,” she said.
      “I had a little bit of a lump on my neck. It kept growing and getting bigger and bigger. I had surgery, I had a needle biopsy.
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      “Finally, after about three or four months, we got the diagnosis that I had Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
      “‘Why did this happen to me?’, has definitely gone through my head a lot, but I know that I will never know the answer to that.
      “‘Yes, this sucks, but I have a good prognosis. In a c**p situation, I am lucky’.
      “It was all quite rushed. I was straight in for my first day of chemo. The first cycle was bad. I was throwing up everywhere.
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      “And then bone aches, headaches, dizziness, mouth ulcers, they were probably one of the worst because you were trying to eat, and it would just be impossible.”
      Despite the difficult circumstances she endured, Stott remained upbeat as she kept fans updated through social media and her blog, ‘Beat It by Stotty’.
      The defender also remained determined to return to football and used that, along with family and friends, to inspire her through months of treatment.
      She added: “My family was great. My friends were really there for me. I had a lot of people looking after me.
      “The thought of getting back to football when I finished my cancer treatment was always there and that was always my goal, to get back on the field, so that was a huge motivation for me.”
      In July 2021, just a matter of months after being diagnosed, the New Zealand star announced that she was in complete remission.
      In a blog post, she wrote: “This is the blog I’ve been hanging out to write, I’m officially in COMPLETE REMISSION. It’s surreal and I’m still not quite sure how to describe the feeling, but I’m filled with so much happiness and I’m so appreciative to everyone who has helped me along the way.”
      Within just a few months of entering remission, Stott re-joined Melbourne City before signing a two-year deal with Brighton in 2022.
      And her World Cup dream came true last month when she was named in Jitka Klimkova’s 23-woman New Zealand squad.
      Stott made history with New Zealand on the opening day of the tournament this week, helping the country to it’s first-ever World Cup win.
      The Football Ferns earned a shock 1-0 win over Norway, who are ranked 12th in the world by FIFA.
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      Hannah Wilkinson broke the deadlock just after half time following an excellent passage of team play.
      Ria Percival had the opportunity to double New Zealand’s lead late in the game, but her penalty rattled the crossbar.
      New Zealand beat Norway 1-0 in the opening game of the World CupCredit: Getty More

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      Fans say ‘I’ve woken up to worse’ after realising who is presenting ITV’s Women’s World Cup 2023 coverage

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      FANS woke up with joy after realising Laura Woods is presenting the Women’s World Cup. The tournament kicked off with co-hosts New Zealand beating Norway 1-0 on BBC.
      Laura Woods kicking off ITV’s Women’s World Cup coverageCredit: ITV
      But ITV had the rights for the second game as Australia – sharing the World Cup with New Zealand – welcomed Ireland.
      It was also ITV’s first match of the campaign, with fan-favourite Woods leading the coverage, much to viewers’ delight.
      She was joined by ex-Ireland keeper Emma Byrne and former Chelsea star Karen Carney.
      One said: “Laura Woods on my TV I’ve woken up to worse.”
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      But another asked: “I think Laura Woods just called a lie-in a lay-in? Does anyone else say lay-in? Guess it could be future tense?”
      Woods recently celebrated making history after joining TNT Sports – rebranded from BT – who will offer an all-woman football presenting team.

      Woods is heading the front of camera crew while her former talkSPORT partner Ally McCoist is a co-commentator and pundit for the channel.
      Woods will be the face of TNT Sports’ Champions League and Big Fight coverage.
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      She will be among a clutch of female presenters among the 19 “leaders” of the channel’s sports package.
      Lynsey Hipgrave will anchor the channel’s Prem coverage, with 32 Saturday 12.30 fixtures and 20 midweek games across two fixtures blocks.
      Reshmin Chowdhury will present Champions League action, while Jules Breach will present a Saturday show ahead of the big match coverage and then take on the touchline reporting role left vacant by the departure of BT’s tunnel man Des Kelly.
      Laura Woods is the new face of TNT SportsCredit: @laurawoodsy
      Laura Woods will lead ITV’s Women’s World Cup coverageCredit: Getty More

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      Women’s World Cup makes history with huge VAR change but Alex Scott says ‘it’s like being in the Hunger Games’

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      THE Women’s World Cup made history with a VAR decision announced by the referee to the stadium for the first time.But Alex Scott joked it was like something out of the Hunger Games.
      Referee Yoshimi Yamashita confirmed her VAR decision to the whole stadiumCredit: Getty
      The Japanese official checked the monitorCredit: AFP

      Fifa made the decision for the tournament in New Zealand and Australia to allow referees to announce the calls.
      And in the very first match of the tournament, Yoshimi Yamashita had the chance to make the most of the new protocols.
      With just three minutes to go before full-time, Caroline Graham Hansen appeared to handle the ball although initially play carried on.
      But Yamashita was advised to take a look at a replay on the pitch-side monitor before deciding a penalty was the correct decision.
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      And when the Japanese official had made up her mind, she announced through her microphone at the Eden Park stadium PA system: “After an on-field review, the decision is: penalty.”
      The announcement was met by delighted cheers from the New Zealand players and the hosts’ home crowd – although Ria Percival hit the bar before the Football Ferns held on for a shock 1-0 win over 1995 champions Norway.

      But Alex Scott in the BBC studio could not help but compare the ref’s booming voice to the Hunger Games.
      The former Arsenal and England defender said: “I couldn’t help but laugh.
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      “I felt like I was in the Hunger Games.”
      Others were delighted by the progression to keep fans in the loop – but many felt more still needs to be done.
      One said: “Great step in the right direction. Let’s people know what is going on. VAR in the men’s game is far too “cloak and dagger” with fans in the stadium and watching on TV having no clue how decisions are made.”
      Another added: “Good step in the right direction but we need to hear the conversation between room and ref.”
      A third wrote: “We don’t want an announcement, we want to hear the discussions with the VAR officials.”
      And a final user wrote: “I was expecting to hear the referee’s reasoning behind the decision, as we do in cricket, rugby, NFL etc. This is absolutely laughable.”
      Ria Percival crashed her effort against the crossbarCredit: Getty More

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      Women’s World Cup poster girl RULED OUT of first two matches in huge injury blow

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      AUSTRALIA have been dealt a devastating blow with skipper Sam Kerr to miss their first two World Cup games due to injury.The Matildas hotshot hurt her calf in training before the tournament co-host’s showpiece opener against the Republic of Ireland kicking off at 11:00am UK time. 
      Sam Kerr is out of the first two games of the World CupCredit: Getty
      Kerr watches team-mates after being ruled out with a calf injuryCredit: AP
      And the injury means that Kerr, who is Australia’s all-time record goalscorer, will miss her team’s Group B clash with Nigeria next Thursday.
      The Matildas’ duel with Vera Pauw’s side at Stadium Australia in Sydney comes hours after New Zealand stunned Norway in Auckland.
      The Football Ferns subjected their opponents to a surprise 1-0 defeat in Group A at Eden Park in the first game of this summer’s tournament.
      Hannah Wilkinson netted the only goal of the game with Tottenham’s Ria Percival missing a penalty for the Kiwis.
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      The match took place hours after a shooting that occurred just TWO miles away from Eden Park, the national stadium of tournament co-hosts New Zealand.
      The incident, which happened in the early hours of this morning, left two people and a gunman dead.
      Players from both nations paid tribute to victims of the shooting with a minute’s silence on the pitch ahead of the game. 
      Taking to Instagram on her injury, Kerr wrote: “Unfortunately I sustained a calf injury yesterday in training.
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      “I wanted to share this with everyone so there is no distraction from us doing what we came here to achieve.
      “Of course I would have loved to have been out there tonight but I can’t wait to be a part of this amazing journey which starts now.”
      A statement from team Australia’s Twitter page added: “Sam Kerr is unavailable tonight after she picked up a calf injury at training on matchday minus-one.

      “Sam will be unavailable for the next two matches with the Matildas medical team to re-assess her following our second group-stage match.”
      Kerr, 29, scored 29 goals in 38 appearances for Chelsea last season, including 12 as the Blues retained the Women’s Super League ahead of Manchester United. More

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      New Zealand 1 Norway 0: Hosts make history with first World Cup win EVER including the men’s team

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      HOST nation New Zealand made history on home soil by winning their first-ever World Cup match against 12th-ranked Norway.In a game where they were perhaps viewed as the underdogs, the Football Ferns dominated their disjointed opponents from the off while being roared on by 40,000 fans.
      Wilkinson’s second-half strike secured the win for New ZealandCredit: Getty
      Hannah Wilkinson’s second-half strike – which was the final product of a phenomenal passage of team play – was all that separated the two teams at the final whistle.
      New Zealand had the opportunity to extend their advantage late in the game, but Ria Percival’s penalty – which was awarded in a historic VAR check following a handball from Tuva Hansen – rattled the crossbar, leaving the host nation shaken with nerves as the clock ticked down.
      But they held on – just about. Norway had a few chances of their own, arguably the best coming from a close-range Frida Maanum strike, but each of them were ultimately wasted in the end.
      For Norway, it was supposed to be a fresh start following last year’s European Championship disappointment.
      Prior to the match, Caroline Graham Hansen emphasised that her teammates wanted to capitalise on the opportunity to progress further in the tournament.
      But if today was anything to go by, they could be left disappointed once again.

      RESULT: New Zealand 1-0 Norway
      FREE live stream: BBC iPlayer
      TV channel: BBC One
      New Zealand XI: Esson; Bott, Bowen, Ashley Stott, Riley; Hassett, Percival, Steinmetz; Paige Riley, Wilkinson, Hand
      Norway XI: Mikalsen; Bjelde, Mjelde, Harviken, Hansen; Engen, Maanum, Reiten; Graham Hansen, Hagerbeg, Blakstad

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      Full Time – New Zealand 1-0 Norway
      Norway will be bitterly disappointed with that performance.
      Far too many mistakes were made and New Zealand were quick to capitalise.
      The likes of Frida Maanum, Ada Hegerberg, Caroline Graham Hansen and Guro Reiten barely made an impact as the Grasshoppers struggled to create many goalscoring opportunities.
      Credit: Reuters
      Full Time – New Zealand 1-0 Norway
      What a performance from the hosts!
      They completely dominated from the off while being cheered on by 40,000 fans.
      Eden Park is bouncing with the energy of thousands of locals – this will surely be a night they’ll never forget.
      Credit: Getty
      Full Time – New Zealand 1-0 Norway
      They’ve done it!
      New Zealand have won their first-ever World Cup match!
      Eden Park is bouncing!
      Credit: Reuters
      90+5. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
      Esson is almost caught out by a wayward cross/shot from Haavi, but the ball narrowly loops over the crossbar.
      90+3. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
      Bjelde has been forced off with an injury.
      She has been replaced by Sonstevold.
      90. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
      Percival misses the spot kick!
      The ball rattles the crossbar!
      Nine minutes have been added on, we’re in for a dramatic ending!
      Credit: Getty
      87. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
      PENALTY FOR NEW ZEALAND!
      After a VAR check, the referee awards the hosts with a penalty for a handball on Hansen in the box!
      86. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
      Another change for New Zealand as we approach the final few minutes of the match.
      Wilkinson makes way for Satchell.
      The striker receives an incredible reception from the crowd at Eden Park.
      81. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
      Norway come close to levelling the score!
      They’ve struggled to make the most of their chances so far in this game, but this is by far the closest the Grasshoppers have come to scoring.
      The ball is set to Hansen on the edge of the box, who unleashes a powerful strike.
      It looks to be heading into the top corner, but Esson gets her fingertips to the ball to deflect it onto the crossbar!
      76. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
      Wilkinson is sent through on goal again.
      She turns to hold the ball up before setting it back to Percival, who unleashes a powerful shot from the edge of the box, but her effort flies wide.
      74. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
      Another change for Norway.
      Boe Risa is on to replace Maanum.
      70. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
      New Zealand make their first change.
      Stott is replaced by Bunge.
      67. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
      Haavi picks up the ball in midfield and carries it down the left before attempting to cross it into the box, but her pass flies out for a goal kick.
      Another chance wasted for Norway.
      62. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
      Norway go for goal again as Hegerberg receives the ball on the left and plays a short pass to Graham Hansen in the box.
      But the winger gets the ball stuck under her feet and Stott tracks back to make the tackle.
      59. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
      Huge chance for Norway!
      Maanum receives the ball on the edge of the six-yard box and goes for goal, but her shot runs wide!
      Credit: AP
      56. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
      Norway make a change.
      Blakstad is replaced by Haavi.
      53. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
      VAR check!
      The officials took a minute to check for a potential handball from Harviken in the box, but nothing is given.
      49. New Zealand 1-0 Norway
      The ball is sent through to Hand on the right, who drives down the wing before squaring it to Wilkinson.
      The striker is left completely free in the box and fires the ball past Mikalsen and into the back of the net.
      What a way to open a home tournament!
      Credit: Getty
      48. GOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL NEW ZEALAND!
      The hosts break the deadlock!
      Kick Off – New Zealand 0-0 Norway
      We’re back underway!
      Half Time – New Zealand 0-0 Norway
      Norway will be disappointed with that first half display.
      Far too many players were sloppy on the ball, causing a lack of possession.
      And the likes of Maanum, Reiten and Hegerberg were kept quiet throughout, minimising the team’s goal threat.
      Hege Riise may have to change things at the break.
      Credit: Reuters
      Half Time – New Zealand 0-0 Norway
      New Zealand have certainly had the better chances so far in this game, but the deadlock is yet to be broken.
      Credit: Getty
      44. New Zealand 0-0 Norway
      Huge chance for New Zealand just before half time as Hand flicks a first time pass through to Wilkinson, who makes an excellent run into the box.
      The striker winds up her shot, but Bjelde makes a last-gasp challenge to steer the ball clear.
      40. New Zealand 0-0 Norway
      Norway attempt an attack as Riley picks up the ball on the right.
      She sends it inside to Wilkinson, who turns and sets it back out to Hand on the left, but Graham Hansen tracks back to make the tackle before the winger reaches the final third.
      37. New Zealand 0-0 Norway
      Norway finally get another look-in at goal as Graham Hansen drives down the right before squaring the ball to Hegerberg on the penalty spot.
      The striker looks to take her shot first time, but Stott makes a fantastic last-ditch tackle to make the block.
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