The Rest Is Football: Daly Brightness - How Do England Beat The Netherlands & Why Are Spain The Team To Beat?

Episode Date: July 9, 2025

What are the key things for the Lionesses to focus on in their crucial match against the Netherlands? Why will the calmest team be the one that comes out victorious? Will Vicky López be the new breakout star for Spain this tournament? Millie and Rach are joined by Ben Haines to also discuss the brilliance of the Swiss fans and why it’s so important the host nation get through to the knockout stages. Wherever it takes you. It Starts with a Swipe ®️. Download Tinder today. https://tinder.com/en-GB/download For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Before we get into today's episode of Daily Brighteners, we just want to say a huge thank you to our proud partners, Shaw, for being with us from the very beginning and what a start it's been. I think the reaction to our podcast so far has been nothing but positive from our family, from our friends, from our teammates, from our fans. It's been really nice to see all the positive reviews and feedback, so keep that all coming. Yeah, I also think that we've probably learned a lot about ourselves and me and Rach always talk about this podcast, you know, it's more than just us chatting, it's actually like a little therapy session and I've actually learned a lot about myself and I feel like

it's given me the confidence to open up a little bit more and show that more vulnerable side. So yeah, it's been really, really refreshing and we also get to appreciate all the things that we've achieved. Rach, everything you're achieving with Villa, you know, the form at the end of the season, me getting my 200th in the WSL and talking about all our accomplishments, the hard times. Yeah, it's becoming a really nice platform actually, and I'm really enjoying where it's going. But thank you to everyone for the amazing support. So thanks again to Shaw for showing up for Women's Football and back in the pod from day one and thank you all for tuning in. The new BMO VI Porter MasterCard is your ticket to more. More perks, more points, more flights, more of all the things you want in a travel rewards card. And then some.

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Spain are obviously already through to the quarters after a great group stage. England are going on to a massive game against the Netherlands. But first, how are you both doing? What have you been up to? Very well, thanks, Rach. I have, I've had a really good week. I've had a hard week in rehab.

Finally able to start like training. So I've been doing a lot of BFR, which is the most horrendous thing in the world, but it's. It's horrible. What's BFR? Blood flow restriction. So you basically have like this massive, I don't know, what would you call it Rach?

It's almost like a blood pressure monitor, you know, like it goes on your arm. Yeah. And it'll strap around like a certain area. So I put it at the top of my quad, so I have to do both sides. So for ages I've only been doing my right side, but I've finally now been able to start doing my left.

So you clamp it at the top, and then it's up to like 70, 80% pressure, and then I have to work through exercises, so like leg extension. Basically I'm trying to get like muscle back and strength without loading the joint. Does it hurt? Yeah, you imagine having a ring on your finger, right?

And it being like super tight and it's that constant pressure and ache that's in your leg. Like continuous. But you have to do like loads of reps so like, let's say it was squats, you'd have to do like three or 50. It's disgusting.

It's horrible. It's awful. But like the results are like ridiculous and I finally like, I don't have jelly leg anymore. So I finally get in my, quads were my best part of my legs, so I feel awful at the minute. I don't feel like an athlete at all.

So I've been smashing my rehab, got a new tattoo, started my leg sleeve. So I'm buzzing about that. I saw that. That looks sick. Yeah, I know. So I'm getting my top half done this week and then I'll move around to the inside.

So yeah, I've had a really good week Thank you. I'm happy. Happy meal. What is your tattoo? And the lower part that I've just had done is a female warrior and then it's under her There's a like a raven at the bottom with like a couple branches then at the top I'm getting horse's head and then the inside on I'm getting my number. I'm getting four but and then the inside. I'm getting my number, I'm getting four, but tattooist has kind of like designed that for me. I just said like what I wanted

and then they put it together. And then inside, no idea, we'll deal with that when we come to it. Yeah, we can get a little bit. How are you getting on, Rach? Yeah, good. I've been busy. I've been, I was in London for three days over the weekend

doing some work, stuff for the podcast. No DIY? No been, I was in London for three days over the weekend doing some work, stuff for the podcast. No DIY? No DIY. I'm knackered. I've literally got home after that weekend and I'm dying. But yeah, just training a lot and yeah, just surviving. What about you, Ben? What, your life's gonna be way more interesting in Switzerland. Tell us what you've been doing. I got in the lake for the first time. Did I tell you this already? You got what? I got into the lake. Oh, did you?

It is. Oh you actually did it. Yeah, it is so cool man. Honestly, it's such, I was expecting it to be really cold, it's really warm, it's so, so clean, you can see the bottom of the water,

like you go miles out, you still see the bottom of the water. It's like, people here have a very, very chill way of life. It is really, really impressive. And Rach, I was just thinking there, it was so funny. When you guys were saying a few episodes ago about whether you get energy from being around people or whether you get energy from having a bit of you time,

does it feel like now having done London, because London's quite intense for a few days, does it feel like you now need to have a little bit of sort of put yourself on recharge? Literally, I feel like I need a holiday after I've spent a few days in London. It's exhausting. It's draining. It's draining. It's total battery is out. Yeah, there's too many people. I actually went for a run at like quarter to seven one morning because I couldn't sleep and oh my god, I run at like quarter to seven one morning because I couldn't sleep and oh my god I was just like this is so nice because there's nobody

about it's like Saturday morning so it wasn't like midweek like loads of traffic and then literally an hour later I'm just like it's just the streets are just swarming about ah there's too many people. Yeah it is exhausting. That's the best bit of the day in London, sort of 6am, or if you can get up and get out then before it's crazy, you can sort of have the city to yourself just for a little bit. You've got a bit of a glow though, Ben.

I've got a tiny bit of the sun. You've got a little bit of redness. Yeah, that's just got me into trouble with my mum, she'll be listening to this being like, why didn't you put the factor 30 on? Factor 50 on your face, thank you. Do you wear it every day? You do SPF every day? Yeah, it's in my moisturizer. See, if you want to save yourself from getting Botox, you need to get that.

Although we do get a little bit of that on top as well. Right, let's talk about football before we just talk about nonsense for the next hour. So obviously Spain, what a start. I mean, we all predicted Spain to do well in this tournament, didn't we? But I mean, 11 goals in two games is not maybe what I was expecting. Pina again, Millie. Yeah, she's up there. We said this. We said it. Do you know what, though?

I've been so impressed with Vicky Lopez. She's 18, man. She was involved so much yesterday. I don't know. I think she's such a good little player at that age to play in that team. But I just feel they ooze confidence. And I just feel like no matter your age,

no matter how long you've played for them or how many caps you've got, they just ooze like confidence. And even like they get on the ball, their first thought is kind of take the player on, kind of face forward. Nothing's ever basic. And if they do do the basics, they are exceptionally good. It's very rare that there's a straight pass, but I don't know.

I just feel like even the kids, like you don't notice how young they are because of the way just the aura that they have as a team is like, yeah, it's just different and I do think they've gone up a level like a hundred percent. You know when people say that young players don't tend to feel the pressure as much, is that true? When you guys were younger, did you feel like when you were like 18 or 19, you just kind of didn't really notice

the pressure that was on you? No, I felt like it was worse. Right. Yeah. But I think now it's probably easier. I think there's less pressure now. And I don't know why, but I feel like when we were all younger, we were always like so scared to do anything wrong

or so scared like even off the pitch. You were a bit robotic, weren't it? Yeah, I think the culture's changed to allow them to give them more freedom and express themselves and stuff. But you look at Vicky Lopez, she's trained with Barcelona first team since she was what, 15? Of course she's pissing confidence.

Literally your main job is to feed Poteus, but Matty, you literally, I don't know, 18, I think she's a real talent, but yeah, can shout out Pina Regendo because that finish, it's just, I think she's like her signature in it. We literally said it, that's the one she did against yous. Yeah. Effortless, just effortless. Touch out of her feet, separation touch, bang, unreal.

It's not even that much space that she's got. No, that's what I mean. It's not even like she's got loads of room. It's literally like you said, it's like maybe even half a yard. She doesn't even wind her leg up. She's literally just, it shouldn't even wind her leg up. It's literally like you think she's just gonna do

a little slip path. No, it's in the top corner. Brilliant, fantastic. Cool, let's scoop that out of the back of the net. They're so good on the edge of the box though, aren't they? Cause they do that thing where they all sort of like slow everyone down to walking pace and then suddenly speed up again. And then let everyone sort of think they've got a second to breathe. And then suddenly they just speed everything up and it goes one touch for maybe two or three passes and oh, the ball's in the net.

But it's just decision making, isn't it? They're like one step ahead. We said this, we said this in another episode, like when they get the ball, even you think, oh, shit, brilliant, I'm there, like I can get pressure on, they already know another option. Like they're like always 10 seconds ahead of you. Can I put one thing into the mix though? They did concede from a set piece and just like you guys described the other day on the pod, they conceded from a really direct counter attack. So there is still these little chinks in the armour if people, if teams can get it right, the problem is you just got to stop them scoring six times.

That's what I mean. I think it is something to be concerned about, both the goals they conceded, but equally if you're scoring six, you're not asked about conceding two are you as much? But I think, again, it's a top team. I think you've got to be careful there because you're not getting all those chances. You know what I mean? It is something to probably worry about going into knockout stages, but since goals are- I do think that's their confidence though.

They back themselves. They back what their game plan is. They back their players. They back their individual kind of talents and the way they play as a team. They don't change for nobody. That's their confidence. So I feel like that's why they never changed defensively.

They never like tighten up a little bit. They're just like, okay, cool. We're going to go and score three. So you can have one almost if you get an opportunity. I just feel like they've never changed in that respect. They're always backing themselves 100%. But I feel like those defensive things have always been a weakness for them.

And it just depends on what game plan you want to put out against a team that is going to dominate possession. On the flip side, it's something for other teams to be aware of that when they get opportunities, they are taking them and they are going in the back of the net. Because like I said, 11 goals in two games is pretty hefty. So they're obviously a team that are firing a lot of different goal scorers as well. So yeah, definitely something for other teams to be wary of. And yeah, you've got to have your best defensive performance against a team like that. I think for sure for me, they're the team to beat.

Like they're probably the only team right now that looks like super convincing. Everyone's still been a bit, I'm not sold on many. Obviously Germany have gone free after tonight's result. But that was like, yeah, it wasn't convincing, was it? I mean, no, first one ruled out offside. Obviously, like we've said, that changes the game anyway. But yeah, I think Denmark looked OK. And again, it's one of them.

You put Germany out against the top team there. What happens? I don't know. Didn't look so convincing. No, I'd agree. It's just that front three that they've got if they just click for Germany's second goal. When you see them all making those runs that almost look like they've just been taken straight

off the training ground where one of them makes a dummy run away with a defender opens up a bit of space and then Leo Schubert is just like rolling the ball in the back of the net. You're like, oh, okay, they can turn it on in a heartbeat if they want to. It's just they haven't done it that often. And Spain look so convincing that they're almost on a bit of a different level to everyone else at the moment. It feels like they're operating in their own space. I think they've got that momentum out there. They've got full momentum. And that's the thing in tournaments. Like when you get that, it's lethal because you just keep, like the wheels keep turning, next, you're just like

next team, next team, next team. But when it comes to knockouts, like that's the hardest part of the tournament. You, there's no time to look back and reflect and be like, oh, wish I'd have done this or we didn't really click, like it has to click. You have to find a way to just get it in the back of the net and find a way to win. So yeah, I'd agree with Rach, I've not seen many convincing performances other than Spain to be honest. One quick thing on the Germany game, I don't know if you guys saw this, but it's the highest

attendance for a women's group stage game ever that didn't involve the host side. So this is a little bit of an advantage that I think Rach, you mentioned it the other day, but obviously it's really close for German fans. So they're coming and making these games feel like home games. They're turning it into an advantage, which is quite interesting as well. Yeah, I think that will definitely push and kick them on. Well, you know, it's like playing with 12 players

when you get the fans behind you like that. I mean, you've seen obviously the Switzerland fans are sick. Like it's been really cool to watch them. And you know, I think you can tell in their game the way they changed their game a bit in the second half. It like lifts them completely. But obviously they're in an OK position at the minute. Hopefully they go through it in their group. Norway will top that. But Norway, underwhelming for me.

They've got luck, haven't they? Yeah, like, it's so crazy to me, because individually, the players they've got are so good. Well, I swear it's just irrelevant if you don't work as a team. Don't know if it's not clicking or what, I don't know. Exactly, you can have all the best individuals, but if you don't work together and it's not,

do you know what I mean? It don't work, it's not successful. Karen Graham Hansen has been a bit of a cheat code, hasn't she? She sort of, it feels like she's the one player that you look at within that team that you think, even when it's not really working for them, if you can get a one-on-one,

she might make something happen for them. She might just get sort of, get them on the front foot working for them. If you can get a one-on-one, she might make something happen for them. She might just get sort of get them on the front foot and just do something out of nowhere. And I think you're right as well, Rach. I mean, it feels like for the tournament, just here, I've had this really weird thing recently where you're just sort of wandering around the streets, right? And you're kind of like just taking it in as you go around. And it feels like you're sort of waiting for the it in as you go around. And it feels like you're sort of waiting for the tournament to kick on a gear. Yeah. And I don't know whether you guys remember that from

France in 2019, where it felt like as the tournament went on, it got bigger and bigger and bigger, to the point where we got when we got through to the semi finals in the game against the US, that was our all this feels massive. this feels like a really massive game but there were a couple of games early on where you could be wandering around the towns and you're kind of thinking like oh it's a bit quiet here do you know what I mean I feel like maybe for this tournament it needs Switzerland to go through just to keep that momentum and keep that energy. I always want the home nations to do well I feel like it's so good for, especially at Switzerland,

like they're obviously not like a top, top team per se. Like they've not been like, you know, top five team. And I think for them to kick on and go through will be massive. And I've loved seeing like bits and bobs of their fans like storming the streets. It looks so cool. And yeah, I think you're right though,

cause I feel even being here, like it's not like been a massive talk about like the games, but obviously I know I'm sure it will after the group stage and when things get into knockout. And I think obviously after England tomorrow will probably dictate what it's like here more and the feel of what it is like, which direction it's going to go in here. But should we take a break on this moment? Time for us to take a quick break in a moment, but before we do that, a quick change up for you. Have you ever wondered what our idea of a perfect date, no pressure date, would look like? Before we go to the break, this part of the episode is brought to you by Tinder.

Sometimes you go on a date and it might not be romantic, but you could spark up a new friendship, or it could just be a good story for the group chat. You might bond over football, food or something totally random and that's the start of a story that you didn't see coming. With Tinder there's less pressure, more possibilities whether you're looking for a connection, a laugh or just something new and unexpected. So Mills if you were designing a perfect no pressure date what would it look like to you? Mine would be an be an activity, like Topgolf, something fun. I just think, yeah, I'm not into that whole

let's go for food, it's too much pressure. I hate eating in front of new people as well. Pasta. Yeah, absolutely. Spaghetti, pizza. No, not ribs. I'd be like, oh, I'm so full, but I'd be sitting there like starving. So yeah, I'd do Topgolf, something fun.

Yeah, maybe go explore somewhere in London, but yeah, just activity. I agree, I think in activity because I feel like I'm the type of person that doesn't want to wouldn't want to feel like I'm just on like a one-on-one date like I'm looking at you, you're looking at me like let's do something fun and let me see how fun you are because ultimately that's exactly what I want. Even if it weren't like a romantic like date and I'm saying you want to have a like a friend like a mate date I'd still do something fun. Yeah I I think dinner's quite serious isn't it? Yeah, no. Maybe the second day, maybe the third date but first one I think. I'd still be starving. Activity or even like a picnic, I would do a picnic but not like sitting down in a restaurant. I'd have to take the dogs though. Yeah, buffer. Yeah. A buffer, you need a buffer. Break it up a little bit but yeah.

So if you went to Topgolf and you're on a date would you let the other person win? No. No way. Absolutely not. Not feeling sorry for you hun. Time to shine. Yeah there's no pity pie. I'm winning. And if I don't win I'm not coming back on the date. And I'd want them to be competitive because that's like, well that's part of me who I am as a person so. And don't let me win. Yeah don't let me win. I hate that. Yeah I don't need just let me win I'll win. Not throwing a pity pie for me on first date hun. Thanks darling. And it makes it more fun if you're competitive. Because you do like goofy things and everyone relaxes and it's just, it's nice.

All right, so say you win, what's the celebration? Are you expecting them to get you a little milkshake? Milkshake. Top golfer banging by the way. No, I'd just be secretly gassed. Would you? Yeah, I'd be like, yeah. Would you give them a bit of stick after?

Yeah, probably. But no, I wouldn't expect them to pay for anything. I'm not like that, like I'd be like, yeah. Would you give them a bit of stick after? Yeah, probably. But no, I wouldn't expect them to pay for anything. I'm not like that. I like to pay for things, so I wouldn't be like, I won, so you're buying me a dinner. I would just be secretly gassed. Would you? No, I wouldn't expect anything. No, I wouldn't, neither.

But if they did, it'd be really nice. Yeah, you can do it on the slide. I'm not asking you to. I'm not asking you to. I would never ask that. I can fund for myself, thank you. Whether it's a mate, a memory, or a match, wherever it takes you, it starts with a swipe. Download Tinder today.

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What's been happening? So press conference today, I suppose big bit of news is that everyone's fit and everyone's healthy and that's the most important thing. As you guys well know, when you get to this point in the tournament, there's always usually a question mark over someone. And I think the fact that LJ had 16 minutes that she played the other night, means that she's just got that little bit more time

in her legs, maybe just a little bit more sharpness. And it means that Serena Vigna has obviously got a full squad to choose from. The thing that I am really keen to know from you guys is knowing her like you do, off the back of the first game, I mean we haven't lost a first game of a tournament for a long time, it's 2013, it's the last time that this happened. Do you think she'll make any changes at all? It's hard to say like, because I think the biggest thing at the minute is like knowing the girls and our mentality is there'll be no panic, like there won't be. There'll be

like an urgency of okay we needed to win this game either way. Like the mentality doesn't change like when's this a must win game either way. If you want to get out the groups you've got you've got to win all the games that you need to win. Just got an Amazon delivery. So in terms of like the mentality and the aim for the game it remains the same but now it's just you absolutely can't lose. I don't think there's any panic. I think I saw Lucy in an interview and... Hera! Sorry.

Just reminding people of the last time they did lose to France, they went on and took bronze. So, do you know what I mean? It's not the end of the world. It's just made it that little bit harder. But I don't know in terms of changes, you know, we've said it previously, Rach said it before that, it's always been the same start at 11, so... And there's always been a lot of consistency with that and, you know, do you change it?

And I don't know, does that show a sign of panic and like drastically things need to change? We spoke about it, it's just the basics. First and second balls, when you battle, show more intensity from the beginning and throughout the whole game. So, I don't know, what do you think, Rach? I don't know, I think it would be interesting because I don't think she'd do it out of a sense of panic or anything like that. I think I'd be interested to see if she changes it tactically because they are very different teams. Like, yes, they do have similar qualities in terms of counter-attack and whatnot. But does it change based on not we have to win, we need to change the team,

more this is what this game might require? Because I think it's so important to obviously the girls will know this. The girls will not be panicked at all. But I think, of course, it is a must win game. I think that's what people need to remember. Yet at the same time, use it as a positive, not a panic. I don't know, I can't see a change in much, if anything. That was what the vibe was in the press conference.

There was a few different people asked around, has there been a reaction? What needed to change? And Serena said, we don't talk about consequences. We don't talk about the idea of what might happen if we don't get it right, we talk about the actions that we're going to take to make sure that we do get it right. And just come back to that point I was making Iran, so 2013 was the last time we lost the first game in the

Euros and 2015 was the last time we lost the first game in a major tournament, went on to get the bronze medal in 2015, but in 2013 England went out in the group and came fourth in the group stage. And I think you both sort of hit the nail on the head there. You can't really allow any of the narratives to creep into the discussion, right? They have to go out and get the job done. And they had Viv Meadmeyer in there as well saying fairly similar things things that there was going to be no sentiment there for her. She's going out to give the best possible performance that she can and if the way that she played the other day is anything to go by that's one they're really really going to have to focus on because they were very very good against Wales. I think they have a lot more numbers don't they higher up for me. I think you know the France game they clearly wanted to get it out wide,

attack our full backs and get the crosses in. But I feel like the Netherlands, they just have numbers. Like I've always remembered playing against them and they always have people in the pockets out on your back shoulders and your midfielders and they love those little overloads. So it is like Rachel it's going to be a very different game and the overloads are going to be in very different places. And are they still playing three at the back? I didn't watch their game against Wales. They did this really strange, well not strange, but their formation changed a lot. So they played with a four,

but the full backs got super high. And then the front four, like you were saying, Mills, they just changed. One of them would be up top and then suddenly the other one's playing on the opposite side. Viv might be leading the line and then dropping in and then Daniel van der Donk might go ahead and Pelova might then go into the centre.

So they've always done that though, those rotations. It's so strange. Yeah, but I just feel like they're not in like a fix. It's not a three, it's not a four. They're very fluid and they can interchange very well and that's something that for me they've always done really well. Yeah, it's always like a bit of a hybrid isn't it? Yeah and it's always been like shit am I there do I pick up there like it's do you know what I mean? How do you stop that?

You've got to be super organized. Organized and don't follow the movement like I feel like you know like let's say a centre mid if a centre mid runs one way you don't you don't need to follow like don't follow if the centre mid goes out wise you follow them it's just stay in your zone and pass on players. But it is really hard to do when they move that quickly. I remember we played the Mills in the Netherlands not long ago, we were both, you weren't playing, you weren't there were you?

Which game was that? I can't remember. I don't think you were there. But it was exactly that. Like they overloaded like the wide areas. Like there was like three people on my wing. I was like, huh? What do I do here then?

No, I was there that camp because we were at what is going off and why can't we get any pressure on? Like it was just- I couldn't remember if it was the one when you weren't there. Everyone gets deeper defensively and then you win the ball and then you have no outlet. So it's like, you just have to be super, super organized, super patient, but also when you've got players like Viv, like we've got to be super, super organized, super patient. But also when you've got players like Viv,

like we've got to be way more aggressive in getting up to that ball and not letting her shoot and slip people in because like that would be one thing I would say is that we have to be aggressive in the moments where we can be and we're a couple yards away, you've got to get up to the ball, especially when it's in and around your box because she's got that ability to just put it wherever she wants it to be honest. That's one funny thing from today which is really interesting. So the Dutch journalists are even more direct than the English ones. I feel like the English journalists can be quite punchy when they want to be, but the Dutch journalists are like down another level. And they sort of flip in and out of English and Dutch. And so they use like English phrases.

So you can't understand the word that what they're saying. And they're like, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, proper English football, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah goes super direct as well. She's like very stern and like no nonsense whatsoever. It was really fascinating watching her interact with them. And it did make me think that, and there was like a little bit of an elephant in the room, right? In that even though everyone's very focused on going out and getting the job done, this is a massive game for the lionesses, isn't it? There's a lot riding on this. I think one way or another, the narrative on Thursday morning is going to be quite defining for a little while, whichever way it goes. I think it's okay to say that though, like you have to be,

especially in tournament football, you have to be realistic. Like everyone has to know what's at stake and it's going out the competition. Like you have to win. Do you know what I mean? Yes there's another game after that but if you want to put yourself in the best position and not rely on other results you have to win on Wednesday. So I do think it's okay to be realistic as long as it comes with zero panic. This is the reality, we're in this position, we've got an opportunity to put ourselves in a good position where we can continue throughout the tournament, but if we don't do absolutely 110% like go above and beyond, everyone's super on it, like good warm up, like I imagine your like your loosers, your meadows, they'll all be on it and making sure that no corner

cutting, everyone's giving that extra little percentage, because you do need it in these games and you know, Netherlands are a team that are in form as well. So it's definitely nothing to shy away from, but no need to panic. We have an abundance of quality and experience. We just need to execute the game plan and make sure everyone's fit and fighting.

Same start in 11. I don't know. I think there's going to be one or two changes, but I don't think that that's going to happen. It's not like I think that it's going to happen, but I think it could, I don't know. I don't know what she'll do. It could go either way.

I think she'll make one or two or she won't do any. Like it won't be drastic. I think maybe because of how much she's riding on this game and it's like a huge opponent, I think maybe a couple. But you think it's very much tactically as opposed to someone's performed badly it's like she's sitting out. Yeah, no because the thing is like she's never been about that do you know what I mean she doesn't punish you and I think she'll just she'll make the decisions based on tactical like that's

what she's good at and you know she'll get it right I'm sure regardless of whatever she goes with but I wouldn't have thought it'd be if there is change change, it'd be any more than one, max two. But yeah, I think the pressure thing is massive. But like Millie said, it's just getting that like, you need to be in that panic free zone. Like the calmest team will win that game tomorrow. It is interesting though, just really quickly, it's interesting that you both said that it's, that they won't be panicking and they will be really, really calming there because it feels like there is a little bit of a bubble where you have no real idea on what's going on on the inside unless you're in there. So it's reassuring to know they'll be quite chill in that space.

Well, I think there's no real reason to panic. Like if you panic, you're not going to perform right are you? Like at the end of the day, like it's a football match, it's the best team will win. I think the calmest team will win and if you're prepared in the right way, which they absolutely will be, they'll have done extensive analysis and tactical information on the Netherlands, I mean, who better to do that than Serena and the whole staff being Dutch. But yeah, I think there is no real reason to panic, it's just put your best foot forward and give it your all in that game. And listen, we won't be talking about this when they make the final, will we? And also we did have good spells in the game.

Like we didn't, you know, let's, I think it's easy to forget we did score first. Yeah, ridiculous decision to be overruled, but we did score first and we did create a lot of opportunities in the last 10 minutes. So I think, you know, the girls will be looking at the positives and what they are. Equally, we're playing against an absolute world-class opposition.

It's not like we were turned over or, you know, we're playing against maybe a lower ranked side and got a beat. I think like give France the credit as well. Like they are an unbelievable team and a very difficult team to break down a beat. So as our Netherlands, so we've all said it from the beginning, this was the group of death and it is. So can't wait to be on here in the next few days when England win. Come on. Right, anyway, moving on to our final part, which is our favourite part, our Gratitudes

of the Week. Benji, do you want to go for it? Can we do one? One. I just can't think. Rachel's exhausted, guys. So we're gonna. Hey, they do say in friendships and relationships

when someone's having a 20% day, the other half takes the 80%, so we'll take the load for you. We're gonna bring the extra energy for you. You gotta carry each other, you know? We'll just do one. I think it's better when it's one, when there's three of us, it counts it out. All right.

Benji, kick us off. Can I chuck one to you then, Rach? You know when you've been away from home and you get back to your own bed? Ben, you've just took my gratitude away from me. Literally was going to say that. I'm carrying you. I'm carrying you. That's all. How the hell have you just got that? Because genuinely, I was thinking to myself today. You were tired. I knew you were exhausted. Genuinely today I was thinking about the podcast and I was like, right, what am I grateful for? And I was like, my bloody bed. Because, do you know what?

Usually I sleep quite well in hotels because the beds are usually really nice, but I had two nights in one hotel and the bed was just too soft. It needs to be firmer for me. And then my third night, I was in a hotel with, honestly, what sounded like somebody just dragging a chair across the floor just going I hate that like honestly for about until like three o'clock in the morning and I was like oh my god like please just shut up so I am beyond grateful for my quiet little home and my nice bed thanks Ben for te tearing that up. Welcome, smashed it out the park.

Meals gone, you go. I'm gonna say I am grateful for the vets getting me in on a little emergency yesterday when I rocked in at about 5.45, they shut at six, they were fully booked, bloody heron on a walk, the worst thing ever. She's darting around with zoomers in the long grass and then all of a sudden she runs over to me. She's like whining and raked her eyes

with literally water and she was crying. She was like shaking her head, like scratching her ear. She'd got a massive grass seed and it was right down near her ear drum. But when the grass seed goes in the dog's ears, it like beds into the skin and it had already started bedding in. So we had to pin her down and the vet was like,

I think we'll maybe sedate her tomorrow. I said, no, she's a miniature. Pin her down, pin that dog down and get it out. So they all pinned her down and pulled it out, but they just saved me a shit ton of money on sedation and she's pain free and happy. But I went booked in, I didn't have an appointment. They were really, really polite and nice.

That is one of my favourite things in life. You know when common sense takes over and people are like, do you know what, we can do it. Yeah, we can do it. You can go one of two ways. Some people are like really, really like jobs. You'd have to book three weeks in advance and there's other people who are like, yeah, don't worry about it.

I think always be one of the people that's like, yeah, don't worry about it. Exactly. We other people who say, yeah, don't worry about it. I think always be one of the people that's like, yeah, don't worry about it. Exactly. We have a little saying, Rach, don't we remember it? Be a fountain, not a drain. Exactly. Yes, 100%. Fountains galore, no drains,

otherwise get out the door. See you later. Benji, what's yours? Right, my one really quickly. I had 24 hours at home. I had to come back and do a job and then fly back to Zurich but have you ever heard of the Welsh word, cwch? Yeah, that cuddle. It's a cuddle but with a bit more meaning and like you know when you get home and you have a bit of a hug with your partner or you have a bit of a hug with your mum or whatever and you do that hug and you're like oh

that's a good hug. And it just gives you a little... You just, yeah, exactly. That is spot on. So I had a couple of those. Saw a couple of mates while I was at home for 24 hours. Had a couple of those hugs where you're just like, oh, that's topped me back up again. I got a bit of my battery back. Oh, you're such a softie. That's so cute. Thank you. Just get my battery back up again. Oh, that's really nice. That is so cute. That might be one of the best gratitudes actually on the pod so far.

Grateful for a cuddle. Yeah, and grateful for having your bed back as well. Right, that's it for the rest of Football Daily Brightness. A reminder to make sure you're following or subscribed to the show and make sure you get all the episodes that we're now into the tournament. Goodbye from me, have a great week everyone. Goodbye from me!