Football Daily - Lionesses thrash Belgium as Walsh finally finds the net

Episode Date: April 4, 2025

Are England showing the ruthlessness they need ahead of this summer’s Euros? Alistair Bruce-Ball presents reaction to the Lionesses’ 5-nil demolition of Belgium in the Nations League.Former Englan...d keeper Karen Bardsley offers her analysis on the strength in depth England are developing, and the ongoing battle between Mary Earps and Hannah Hampton to be first choice in goal.We hear from Sarina Wiegman, and goalscorers Keira Walsh and Aggie Beever-Jones, both of whom scored their first England goals.And after Wales’ defeat at home to Denmark, Eilidih Barbour and Danny Gabbidon assess the positives and negatives. TIMECODES 02:50 Sarina Wiegman: “Not a five-star performance” 08:30 Karen Bardsley on Wiegman eventually needing to choose between Hampton and Earps 10:55 Interviews with Walsh and Beever-Jones on their first international goals 19:00 Analysis of Wales 1-2 Denmark5 Live/BBC Sounds commentaries Saturday (3pm): Crystal Palace v Brighton (Premier League) Saturday (5:30pm): Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest (Premier League) Sunday (2pm): Fulham v Liverpool (Premier League) Sunday (4:30pm): Manchester United v Manchester City (Premier League) Tuesday (7:30pm): Belgium v England (Nations League) – 5 Sports Extra

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Starting point is 00:00:00 This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. Welcome to The Inside Track with me, Rick Edwards. This is the podcast that takes you inside Formula One like never before. I'm Matt Magendie and thanks to my exclusive access, I'll be getting up close and personal with Red Bull Racing this season. This week, Matt will take you on a deep dive into race strategy. He speaks to members of the Red Bull team that probably wake up in a cold sweat shouting, Box, box!
Starting point is 00:00:24 I still get nervous before a race All it takes is one safety car up in odd time and it completely changes the complexion of things Experience F1 like never before by tuning into the inside track wherever you get your podcasts Music Radio Podcasts. The Football Daily Podcast. Listen on BBC Sounds. Good evening and welcome to the Football Daily Podcast with me Alistair Bruce Ball. I'm here at Ashton Gate. We've just seen England's women, the European champions, thrash Belgium 5-0 in the Nations League. Lucy Bronze, Millie Bright, Aggy Beaver-Jones scoring her first goal for her country, Jess Park
Starting point is 00:01:08 and Kira Walsh actually scoring her first international goal on her 83rd cap. They were the five goal scorers England now a point ahead of Spain in this Nations League group with another game against Belgium to come on Tuesday night. I watched the game with the former England goalkeeper, Karen Bardsley. It finished 5-0, Karen. No exaggeration to say that that genuinely could have been double figures. England sort of found the ruthlessness in front of goal in the second half. It's being harsh, slightly lacked in the first half.
Starting point is 00:01:43 Yeah, no, the second half performance, you know, just saw loads of balls hit in the back of the net and I think that's exactly what all the fans wanted to see, it's what Serena Vigna wanted to see and it's what all the players wanted to feel. I think perhaps, you know, Belgium were slightly naive in their game plan, I think. I expected them to kind of block up and make it a little bit more difficult for England to score. But in a selfish way, I'm really pleased that they didn't, you know as you say five different goal scorers, a clean sheet, two first goals for Agriva Jones and Kira Walsh. Yeah it's a really really good night for the Lionesses, I'm really pleased for them. And I felt, Karen, coming
Starting point is 00:02:16 into the game the important thing tonight was to sort of continue the momentum from the win against Spain because I think we're honest over the last year 18 months England haven't quite hit the heights that they would have wanted to but now is the time to start doing that and this was a really nice follow-on from from the win against Spain in February wasn't it? Yeah it really was I think they all looked really confident you know the girls on the pitch and I think Alessia Russo will be disappointed you know that she didn't get on the score sheet tonight because she had you know a plethora of
Starting point is 00:02:44 opportunities in front of goal. Beth Mead had one at the far post and I think Lauren James hit the woodwork a few times. It's really great the fact that the girls are creating so many opportunities and finally there's a bit more of a clinical edge in front of goal. But like you say, it certainly could have been more. So I do feel like there is a momentum building. I think now now are you pragmatic about it do you kind of go yeah okay one step at a time you don't want to get
Starting point is 00:03:10 carried away but ultimately I think I'm just really pleased that subs came on and made an impact of the game as well I think Serena really positive about that takeaway. Well you mentioned the the head coach Serena Vigman let's get some reaction from her first of all. Rob Schofield spoke to her after the game. Serena, three points in the Nations League, five goals, five star performance? Now, you always have some, if it's five out of five,
Starting point is 00:03:37 it never is because it's never perfect, but how the team was performed on the pitch, what we wanted to do and also the other players coming in, keeping the dynamics, keeping things simple also that was really good. Yeah and scoring five goals I think we should yeah they almost say you should have scored five goals. Scoring five goals is not easy we expected to play against a strong Belgium where we said we have to break a wall and I think through the dynamics of the team and getting in positions getting the depth and yeah creating chances I think we did really well and we know there
Starting point is 00:04:15 are dangers in the counter-attack and they had some moments but I think overall we did really well. First goals for Agui Beaver-Jones and Kira Walsh, Kira's had to wait a little bit longer than Abby. I actually want to start with Abby because she got a really big opportunity didn't she Aggie in the second half. How impressed were you with her performance, how she took on that responsibility? Yeah I think she did really well. She shows at club that she's in good form. She has showed that with us too. She had to be a bit patient with us to get more minutes and today you could tell she was enjoying herself but she was really sharp. Also how
Starting point is 00:04:51 she scored that goal coming inside and to be ready to be at the right place when the cross came. I thought she did really well but I thought overall she came on very sharp. And Kiera that just speaking to her there it's very clear how much that means to her and she certainly had to wait a long time for it. I hear that you've been telling her that she needs to get a little bit closer to the box and try and get some shots away and obviously she did do striking the post as well beforehand. Exactly yeah well I'm not the only one who tells her because we all know she's
Starting point is 00:05:22 a very good shot and she can take positions so we really want her up there more and today you also saw that moment she had some dynamics and also came behind the defense sometimes she can play like that too so I'm very happy for her and obviously she was very happy too. How's Lauren James? How serious is that came off after the first half? I don't know. She felt something so we took her off straight away and yeah I think that's way too short. I just came off the pitch so I haven't spoken to her or the doctor yet. And just finally Serena, do you feel like you're building and you're in a really...
Starting point is 00:06:01 How satisfied overall are you with where you're at at the moment? You know as we've come through the high profile games in the winter, it feels like you're building a real head of steam and a good momentum now. Yeah, I think what I always say to the team, so if we win now five, we don't all of a sudden think that we are in the best position ever. We know what we're working on. I think the team is moving forward in all parts of the game, so in possession, out of possession and the transition moments. We know what we're working on. I think the team is moving forward in all parts of the game. So in possession, out of possession and the transition moments.
Starting point is 00:06:29 And I thought today, Belgium, of course they were struggling with some injuries. But I think what we did ourselves in this game, most moments were really good. They did get a couple of counter-attacks, but also part of the game. I think moments like at the beginning of the second half we were a bit more sloppy, we slowed down a bit, but then we picked it up again. I think that's really good. So I see that we're getting connected better. Now we could play many players too and see things and practice things and this of course the
Starting point is 00:07:05 nation league is very important to do well but it's at the same time preparation for the euros. Thank you so much for your time, thank you Serena. Thank you. Yes as we were saying Karen during the commentary as you well know I mean six major tournaments with England it is all about squad strength and as you were saying there a little earlier on in our chat, I think that's one of the takeaways from the game isn't it? The likes of Beaver Jones coming on, Jess Park who didn't start, a little bit unlucky not to start coming on and making an impact
Starting point is 00:07:34 and still we got players to come in, Chloe Kelly's not involved in this camp because she's got a foot injury, Georgia Stamway's not here, Alex Greenwood's not here, Lauren Hemp's not here, I think that's really encouraging. It is, it is, you know, the fact that Jess Park, like you say, will be disappointed, the fact that she didn't start, you know, this evening, but she came on and certainly it looked like she wanted to prove a point, you know, and I think what's really exciting is there's a nice complementary blend to the players, to the squad. You know, you've got players who are really tidy in the pass who can happily distribute short, long, medium passes. But then you've got people like Lauren James who can just glide into different pockets
Starting point is 00:08:10 of space. You've got Jess Park who will happily take players on 1 v 1, get into the box, again, breaking, playing through the midfield on the dribble, progressively carrying the ball up the pitch. So I think there's a real excitement for me about how you pick the best starting 11 based on the opposition, based on the problem in front of you for Serena Vigman to solve. So yeah, there's plenty of positive signs I think about the squad at the minute. You're a former England goalkeeper, so I've got to ask you this one.
Starting point is 00:08:39 And I think ahead of every England game at the moment, we're going to be talking about this one. Is it a nice problem? We always hear this. it's a bit of a football cliché to say, well it's a lovely problem to have because they've got two brilliant goalkeepers in Hannah Hampton who started this game and Mary Earps who has all that experience and has been absolutely fabulous for England. Or is it a bit of a nightmare decision to try and make? Or actually, Karen, are you so confident in either of them, whoever you put in, it's gonna be fine? I think you're creeping along that line, yeah, where you get to the point where you're so happy with, you know, the competencies of both of these
Starting point is 00:09:14 fantastic players that either will kind of be suitable for whichever moment, it's just kind of up to Serena, like I don't envy her with that decision to make. I think based on my own tournament experience though, I think you get to a point in the build-up where you just get sick of having the conversation and you get sick of the noise, you know, from people like us. So I think eventually Serena will have to choose who their number one is going to be going into the tournament, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything once you actually get started because we've seen things change in major tournaments as well but yeah it's so close it's absolutely neck-and-neck. Just before we
Starting point is 00:09:51 hear from her we're gonna hear from Kira Walsh shortly talk to me about her because I think quite often when we talk about this this England team she doesn't always get a mention because she sometimes does just the unflashy job, sits at the base of midfield, controls the tempo. I mean such an important player for England. Makes the headlines tonight because she scores her first international goal but you know her well. Just tell me a little bit about her qualities. Well I mean I can still remember I think the first time she came into training she'd just come in from school and had these little
Starting point is 00:10:22 like frilly socks on, you know. I'm she's not going to forgive me for saying that. Yeah she'll thank you for that. But I was just like who is this kid? And then you see her on the pitch and she just comes to life you know she's so confident in the way she controls the ball she can take it you know with her back to goal and still wiggle her way out of any sort of pressure you can put her under. I think her vision is phenomenal. She knows where the spaces are going to be.
Starting point is 00:10:47 She's so intuitive and so clever in her game intelligence. And just the way that she kind of links defense to attack, not only from front to back, but obviously from side to side as well. She's that key cog and changing the point of attack quickly and setting players like Agibirva Jones, Lauren James on her way. So for her to kind of do all those dirty jobs, to kind of do the things that don't get the accolades, that aren't particularly attractive, you know, to kind of protect the back line, making sure she's screening those passes, like those things go unnoticed, don't they? And for
Starting point is 00:11:15 her to get on the score sheet tonight, I'm so buzzing for her. Yeah, but teammates recognize that, don't they, Karen? I think, and actually just just watching the reaction to her goal, it was, you know know I mean I felt you almost wanted to be out there I did yeah I wanted to give her a big hug. Exactly but they know they know how good she is come on let's let's hear from her here's Kiera Walsh. Thank you Ali I'm here with Kiera Walsh she's just had a nice moment with Serena Vigman come on Kiera tell us what was said. To be honest with you yesterday in training she told me that I need to get close to the box and take some shots
Starting point is 00:11:45 So I'm not sure if he's taking credit for that one But yeah, I'm just just really really happy to score my first goal for England if it's taken me a fair bit of time But yeah, just really happy to be off the mark. I can tell there's there's no novelty about it It means a heck of a lot to you doesn't it? Yeah, I think Yeah, I mean all the girls like to remind me all the time. I'm not schooled But again, you know, they were super happy for me tonight And I think it's just a moment that you work towards when you're younger, you want to score for England and it's a nice moment for me and my family, my mum and my auntie are here, so just really happy they could see that moment as well.
Starting point is 00:12:14 You certainly got your eye in didn't you, because you struck the post, that one was arguably closer. That one was better, I think that was a better shot actually, a few of the girls just said that to me as well, that was a better shot, but yeah, I mean the girls were always telling me to shoot and yeah I think it's just having those reminders and they give me the confidence and actually Aggie told me before the game if I score I need to celebrate for her and celebrate with her and yeah That's why I threw up a little A at the end of the game Best to say you've had to wait a little bit longer than Aggie has but let's talk about the performance overall because that was
Starting point is 00:12:40 That was really impressive and I got the sense talking to Leah yesterday that there was real intent to I got the sense talking to Leah yesterday that there was real intent to back up the Spain win and you certainly did that today. Yeah I think that was probably a bit of a turning point for us, I think we took a lot of confidence from that and I think we kind of knew now that that's the intensity we need to play every game at and I think you could kind of see that in the way we attacked tonight, you know we played some really nice passages of play and at times, you know, Jess Park's goal, it was fantastic pressure and later on in the game as well.
Starting point is 00:13:08 So, yeah, I think that kind of shows where we're at and we've got a lot of confidence going into the summer. But, yeah, we know it's going to be tough and these next few Nations League games are going to be tough as well. Can you just give us a little bit of a sense of what it feels like now compared to maybe the winter when there was a little bit of talk? Because, because overall, whether it's defence or attack, the team looks so solid and you look like you're really building and you're in the right place ahead of the summer. Yeah I think most teams go through a tough period I think for us it was just about staying focused and knowing that it's about being ready in June when the tournament comes I
Starting point is 00:13:39 think we had a bigger picture and obviously there was a lot of outside noise and we were aware that it wasn't our best football but we trust in you Serena's saying, we're trusting each other and it was just about putting those final bits together. I think again it comes down to intensity on and off the ball and I think you can see that tonight in the way the girls played. Kiera, congratulations, well done, thanks. Thank you, appreciate it. Kira Walsh 83 caps to score her first England goal for 21 year old Aggie Beaver-Jones. It was a fourth cap. It was actually my favourite goal of the night. The build-up play from England leading up to the Beaver-Jones finish. Clever little run as well. Timed it beautifully and side footed it into the bottom corner.
Starting point is 00:14:18 What a moment for her. She was speaking to Rob Schofield after the game. Thank you, Ali. Yes, I'm here with another of England's goal scorers, Aggy Beaver-Jones. Aggy, you've not had to wait quite as long as Keira for yours. Yeah, I think I was more delighted when Keira scored than myself, if I'm honest. I think I obviously really get along with Keira and been saying to her for a long time now that she needs to shoot more. And I've been, yeah, taking the mick out of her for not scoring for England yet.
Starting point is 00:14:42 So it was, yeah, I was delighted when I saw she scored. I think she hit the post just before it as well. So I said to her, come on, keep going, you'll get it. And yeah, no, I'm just so delighted that she scored again with Millie getting on the score sheet as well, Jess as well. But yeah, I'm absolutely delighted. I don't think it's quite sunk in just yet, but maybe in a bit. Yeah. I mean, you must you'd be forgiven for kind of
Starting point is 00:15:03 putting your head down on the pillow and imagining those moments every time before a match day. Does it feel like what you expected or like you say, is there a sense of, you know, Aguipira Jones England goal scorer hasn't quite sunk in yet? Yeah, it definitely hasn't sunk in. I think when I get in the shower and get ready and go upstairs to see my mum and dad I think it'll probably hit me a little. They're here? Yeah, they're here. they came which is obviously really nice and I think Bristol holds a special place in my heart. I came obviously here on loan and to see
Starting point is 00:15:31 the fans come out today we have such a great support network and yeah I'm just absolutely delighted that I was able to come on the pitch let alone get a goal and yeah I'm just super excited to go see my family. I thought you took on the responsibility of coming on that second half in a really impressive way. Just tell me what it's been like for you because you've had to be patient, you've had to buy your time and kind of get to know the environment. But do you think that's, you're almost feeling the benefit of that now? Yeah, 100%. I think obviously as a young player you always want things
Starting point is 00:15:57 and it's never as easy as just wanting it and then getting it, you have to earn it. And I've had a lot of support from all the girls in this team and always asking the questions and just being a sponge in this environment, learning as much as I can off Alessia, LJ, Hempow when she's here, Meedo and yeah I'm just yeah I don't even really have the words right now to describe how it feels but I'm just honestly delighted and yeah as long as I'm making the right people happy then ultimately I'm happy but just needing to keep doing what I'm doing and making the right people happy. Aggie well done, go and see your family, thank you.
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Starting point is 00:17:50 This is Five Live Sports, the Football Daily podcast. Right, so next up, Karen, is Belgium again. You're going to be there, you're travelling out to Luven to do the game for us. It's going to be a Sports Extra commentary on Tuesday night. Do you think Serena Wigman might play around with the starting line-up a little for that one? I think so. I think given the game state at the minute, they're quite comfortable obviously going into that next game. With it being in Belgium, I think you'll have to take in perhaps the atmosphere, the environment into consideration. It's a good test for players maybe that haven't played in a hostile environment. They'll be quite loud and I think now Belgium really have to go for it. They've got absolutely nothing to lose.
Starting point is 00:18:31 If they carry on this trend, I think they're going to get relegated into League B, aren't they? So they really just need to go for it. So I think maybe does that offer a different performance problem for Serena Wiegman to solve? I think we'll see maybe a couple of tweaks, maybe two or three. I don't think we'll see like completely different starting 11. I do think we'll see Mary Earp's in goal and a few more shuffling around in the pack, possibly giving Nikita Paris a little bit more time in the nine or you know if Franke Ruby is fit that would be great if we could get to see her. So fingers crossed that you know she she's fit enough to make an appearance in that second game. Yeah so that game is is Tuesday night England against Belgium
Starting point is 00:19:12 they're top of the group on seven points Spain just behind them on six because Spain won 4-2 in Portugal, Portugal on four and Belgium on on zero. Just to sort of explain the importance of that, if you win the group in terms of just the Nations League itself, then you'll go through to the semi-finals and final and you have a chance of winning the tournament. But it also plays a big part in where you end up for qualifying for the next World Cup. So in England's position, they want to finish at least, I mean they want to win the group obviously, but if you finish in the top two, in the top division of the Nations League you go through to the top division of qualifying for the World Cup and if you win
Starting point is 00:19:50 one of those groups then you automatically get to the next World Cup. If you're not in those top groups for World Cup qualifying then you will definitely be going through a playoff wherever you finish in your group. So that is why these Nations League games are important. Let's have a little look at how the other home nations got on in the Nations League. Wales still without a win in their group, they lost 2-1 at home to Denmark. Eili Barber was watching this one in Cardiff. Yes Ali, plenty of positives for Wales tonight, they went behind against Denmark to Signe-Bruns opener but they found
Starting point is 00:20:25 a way to get themselves back into the game to start to get some control possession and Kerry Holland scored a wonderful equaliser but the Danes changed shape in the second half. They came out strong and Van Skor was able to find a way to score the winner and it came just seconds after up the other end Hannah Kane had had such a similar opportunity she hit her effort straight at the goalkeeper it went straight up the other end and Vansgård showed that real composure to just slot it past Olivia Clarke and give Denmark the win that moves them a point behind Sweden at the top of this Nations League group and Danny Gabad on alongside me
Starting point is 00:21:05 watching this one. A disappointing result in the end but Rhian Wilkinson I'm sure will still see plenty of positives in the building work that she's doing in this Wales side. Yeah she will I think you know before these Nations League games started I think for Rhian Wilkinson a lot of it was about maybe trying different things you know know, rotating players, obviously coming up against top opposition is exactly what this kind of team wants going into the Euros but she would have been under no illusions as well, it's kind of going to be difficult and we saw that at times tonight but look I think Wales give a great account themselves,
Starting point is 00:21:39 I think the first 15-20 minutes of the game, they were a little bit like rabbits in headlights, a little bit, maybe didn't believe in themselves and maybe give a little bit too much respect to the opposition. Obviously Denmark got their noses in front, but then I thought they were the better team then, Wales, for the second half, for the first half. They started to impose themselves on the game.
Starting point is 00:22:00 They started to win more second balls. The passing was a bit more precise and crisp and and then obviously the individual goal from Kerry Holland, you know brilliant goal, brilliant finish, great skill and a great finish high into the roof of the net and actually forced their Matt there in second half to change their system and change personnel so I think that was a massive positive to Wales. The last time Denmark were in Wales back in 2023, it was a 5-1 victory for the Danes. So even on the score line tonight,
Starting point is 00:22:30 you can see how much improvement there is in this Welsh team. But in the performance as well, they caused problems for that Denmark back line. It wasn't a comfortable evening for Denmark at all. No, it certainly wasn't. And that kind of came off the back of probably 20 minutes into the game where I think Wales started to believe a little bit, you know the passes started to connect and they were pressing with a bit more aggression and that fear almost kind of went away
Starting point is 00:22:55 a little bit and they started to have a go and then they started to get a little bit of joy and then suddenly they started asking Denmark one or two more questions and then suddenly they looked a little bit more vulnerable defensively so I think in that respect you know if we can kind of start games with that kind of confidence it's going to be a massive help. Look we're still kind of learning in terms of our kind of our build-up and trying to control possession you know we're still in the kind of early phases of that we know we have that kind of dogged spirit you know that's been in this team for a very, very long time. We've always been a very difficult team to beat, but it's been the other side of the game where we've kind of lacked. And that's where we've kind of improved over the last couple of years. Started probably under the previous manager,
Starting point is 00:23:38 Jeremy Granger, and William Wilkins is looking to kind of take that on. But go into a major tournament, you know that has to be good it really does you know you have to be able to defend you have to be able to be organized you have to be able to kind of keep the ball and you have to be very kind of clinical with your chances as well and that's probably where we weren't quite at our best tonight. This is where Wales want to be as well whether they're ready for it we will find out in the summer because this is a team that has a real mix of some experience,
Starting point is 00:24:06 but a lot of young players as well, a lot of players who haven't got tens of caps behind them, experiencing a lot of these games and this level of opposition for not the first time, but it's not something that they're playing week in, week out at international level. So there's a lot to learn on every occasion. And I think if you look at some of the performances that Wales have had of late and the experiences that they've had, they are growing, they are developing and it's a short turnaround until we get to the summer. But these are big opportunities to learn and to learn quickly. They are and that's what the young players need. They need opportunities, they need experience
Starting point is 00:24:41 and like I said in the previous managers managers that hasn't really been the case. There's been a lot of players in and around the squad for a long time and they weren't really getting opportunities but one of the positives, one of the good things that Rune Wilkeson has done, she's trusted in the squad, she's trusted in the French players, the younger players and she's given those players opportunities to shine and these players I think have performed really well. You know I think, you know you look at the men's team and it's a similar thing where if you have young players and they're good enough they get fast-tracked straight
Starting point is 00:25:12 into the senior team and not just that they are then given opportunities to go and play and and if they do well then they progress then quicker if you're given the opportunity so I think you're gonna see a similar thing now with Rina and what she's trying to do. And sometimes with these young players, they've got no baggage as well. You know, they go into these pressure situations, they go to major tournaments and they just play
Starting point is 00:25:34 with no fear and sometimes that can be a positive thing as well. So I think that mix of youth and experience and of course us having all our key players there is so important. You know, Kerry Holland tonight I really hope that her injury is not too serious it never looks good when a stretcher comes on so I'm praying for her but you know Sophie Ingle as well who's a key key performer we've
Starting point is 00:25:55 missed her hopefully we can get her back before the tournament as well you know if you can have all her fit players keep players fit and her key players available then of course it gives us a much better chance of performing well. Yes, real concerns for Kerry Holland who was stretchered off in the second half, a really nasty looking injury, she was heavily strapped up as she was stretchered off so hopefully that will not be as bad as it first looked, but also a player who is so influential. We saw her being influential, albeit she didn't set foot on the pitch tonight, and that's Jess Fishlock. Obviously a player who has to be managed in terms of her game time. She's 38 years old now, but she is such a talent. She is such a talisman for this Welsh team.
Starting point is 00:26:40 How important is she, regardless of whether she plays or not? She's massive you know she's been a huge influence on Welsh football for so so long and you know it's not just the quality on the pitch what she's able to do on the pitch you know though she's capable of those kind of magic moments with the quality that she has but but off the pitch as well you know she's a leader you know the younger players in particular they all look up to her they you know advice and guidance and the experience that she has over so many years so she's gonna be a key key performer for us when we go when we go out to Switzerland you know for her to have
Starting point is 00:27:18 the opportunity to play in a major tournament like I said earlier nobody deserves it more than her you know's a world-class performer for me and you want to see the best players on the world stage. For so long, Wales have not been at the top table. So to have Jess there and, like I said, hopefully it'll like to Sophie, like to Ram-Harrid, James, these have all been fantastic servants for many a year. For too long they've been sat at home watching these major tournaments rather than playing in them so I'm really looking forward to seeing them all performing I think Jess has
Starting point is 00:27:51 even spoken about maybe having to play for another 10 years because it looks like we might be getting a Home Nations World Cup in 2035 so I wouldn't put it past her to be honest. I wouldn't, I wouldn't, I wouldn't so we'll have to wait and see about that. Thank you very much yes Sweden next for Wales on Tuesday night. They were 3-2 winners against Italy earlier this evening. So Sweden lead the group on seven points, Denmark after their victory here on six, Italy on three and Wales in fourth place on that one point that they got against Sweden in Wrexham in the last window. So it finished here in Cardiff, Wales 1, Denmark 2.
Starting point is 00:28:27 In the other Nations League games featuring the home nations, tough one for Scotland up against a very good Germany team. Scotland 0, Germany 4. It finished, so Scotland still bottom of Group A1, having lost all three games. And in Group B1, Northern Ireland drew 1-1 away to Romania. Poland beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 5-1 in that group so Poland topped that group there
Starting point is 00:28:52 on nine points but Northern Ireland at the moment in second place in that group if you finish in second place then you get a playoff game against the team that finishes in third place in the A-League but it's getting overly complicated now and there's still a few games to go. So don't worry about that one too much. My thanks to Ailey and Danny Gabidon for their words on Wales against Denmark. And next up for England, as I say, they move from Bristol to Leuven for the return match against Belgium. Commentary on Tuesday night on Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds. And I must say as well, look out for the Women's Football Weekly as always
Starting point is 00:29:28 with Ellen White and Ben Haynes. That will have all the reaction to this round of Nations League fixtures that will be dropping on the BBC Sounds app next week. From us here at Ashton Gate, thank you very much for listening. Thank you very much for listening. 8 Premier League titles, 6 League Cups, 3 FA Cups, 1 Champions League. And they're going for it! And more than a hundred charges. Somebody turned up at the Etihad Stadium and effectively served papers. I'm Clive Myrie and this is Football on Trial, the Manchester City charges.
Starting point is 00:30:20 They believe they've got irrefutable evidence. Listen on BBC Sounds. They believe they've got irrefutable evidence. Listen on BBC Sounds. Welcome to The Inside Track with me, Rick Edwards. This is the podcast that takes you inside Formula One like never before. I'm Matt Magindy and thanks to my exclusive access, I'll be getting up close and personal with Red Bull Racing this season. This week, Matt will take you on a deep dive into race strategy.
Starting point is 00:30:42 He speaks to members of the Red Bull team that probably wake up in a cold sweat shouting, box, box. I still get nervous before a race. All it takes is one safety car up in odd time and it completely changes the complexion of things. Experience F1 like never before by tuning into the inside track wherever you get your podcasts.

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