'Elated' Smith and Scott can't wait for showpiece
Monday, 07 September, 2009
England’s goal-scoring heroines turn attention to European Championship Final.
Kelly Smith and Jill Scott articulated their delight after helping the England Women’s team reach a first European Championship Final for 25 years.
The duo scored England’s semi-final goals in Finland as they beat Holland 2-1 after extra-time and they now cannot wait for the Final to get underway.
“I’m speechless,” Scott said, after her header on 116 minutes sealed the victory.
“It’s so hard to describe what I’m feeling, it’s pure elation really.
“I couldn’t believe I had scored and I didn’t know how to celebrate. I’ve got a one-year-old nephew watching the games at home so I blew him a kiss to let him know I was thinking of him.”
Smith opened the scoring for England just after the hour mark and despite a slight concern with her knee, she is confident her body will recover in time for Thursday’s Final.
“[The Final] will be a huge moment in my career,” she admitted.
“It’s a mixture of emotions that I’m still trying to take in. I'm delighted, thrilled, emotional.
“The team gave a fantastic performance against a side who made all 120 minutes very difficult for us. We knew how they would play and that their main aim was to frustrate us and sneak a goal. We had to be patient and we got our reward and I think we deserved to win on the night.
“My knee is very stiff [but] a couple of days of recovery, ice and treatment will get me ready for Thursday. As a player, a Final is what you’re in these tournaments for and we will now be looking to win it.”
England’s match-winner echoed Smith’s sentiments.
“It was a massive performance from the girls, many of whom have played a lot of games in quick succession. I was just glad I was able to get on the pitch and play my part. We are all now looking ahead to Thursday night, we haven’t yet hit top gear and I think everyone realises there will no better place to find it than in the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki.”
England will play either Germany or Norway in the Final on Thursday.