Letters

46

Katana's POV

"Here K." Talia says then she hands me our line-up for our final Champions League Group match against Wolfsburg.

1-Katana Solo
2-Ashley Lawerence
3-Lotte Wubben-Moy
12-Tierna Davidson
5-Steph Catley
17-Jessie Fleming
8-Jordan Nobbs(C)
7-Jackie Groenen
15-Katie McCabe
14-Talia Martin
11-Lieke Martens

We've won all 5 of our previous group games and we've already qualified for the knockout rounds.

After I look at the line-up, I pass it to the row behind me then I relax and love on my pups.

Once at Emirates Stadium, the bus parks then everyone gets off and heads to the locker room.

When we get to the locker room, everyone puts their stuff down in their respective lockers.

Once my stuff is in my locker, my teammates and I head outside for the pitch inspection.

After we've inspected the pitch, my teammates and I head back to the locker room.

When I get to my locker I take my AirPods out, I take out my nose ring, I take off my necklaces, earrings, bracelet, watch, and my rings, put my jewelry in it's safe then I put my jewelry safe and AirPods in my bag.

Once I'm jewelry free I take off my tracksuit and put my dark brown locs up in a ponytail then I put on my long sleeve baby blue undershirt, my warm up top, and I put on my game shorts.

I then sit down in my locker and put on my socks, my shin pads and my red boots.

After my boots are on I tape my wrists, hands, and fingers then I put on my red keeper gloves before I head onto the field with the other keepers.

When I get on the pitch I run through my warm ups with the keepers for a while then head back to the locker room.

Once in the locker room I change out of the training top and change into my baby blue keeper jersey while Amaka does her last minute talks.

When the last minute talks end, we are told to head to the tunnel so I grab my towel and water bottle then Appa, Socks, and I do as told.

Once in the tunnel, I line-up right behind Jordan then I wait for us to be called out.

Minutes later we are told to head out onto the field for the prematch stuff so I follow Jordan out onto the field.

Once on the field we stand in line for a few seconds then we shake hands with the Wolfsburg players.

After we shake hands, we take a starting XI picture, Jordan does the coin toss, we do our team huddle, then I lead Appa and Socks to the bench.

"Stay here pups." I say

Appa and Socks yip and smile at me so I scratch their heads then I jog to my position on the field.

Once I'm at my goal, I hang my towel up on the net, put my water in the net then Tierna and Lotte come over and fist bump me before they head to their spots.

After everyone gets into their spots, the ref blows her whistle then we kick off the game.

The first 40 minutes of the game are a bit boring since I only have routine saves to make.

In the 43rd minute Wolfsburg win a free kick after Katie fouls my Roord outside the left side of the box.

"JORDAN." I shout then Jordan turns around in the wall.

Once Jordan's looking at me I direct her to where I want her then I get ready for the free kick.

After the ref blows her whistle, one of the Wolfsburg players plays the ball to the top of the box where Roord is waiting.

When the ball gets to Roord she puts her foot through the ball and hit it towards the far upper 90.

I wait until the last possible second then I jump up and tip the ball up and over the bar.

"How the fuck did she save that?" I hear someone say as I land on the ground.

After I land on the ground I get back up and wait for the corner.

While everyone is setting up for the corner I keep getting pushed.

"Fuck off." I say and push Ewa Pajor away from me.

"What the hell is your problem?" Ewa Pajor asks.

"What do you mean what's my problem?" I question. "You're pushing me into the fucking goal."

"That's enough." The ref says. "Both of you cut the shit."

The ref heads back to her position before she blows the whistle then one of the smaller Wolfsburg players floats the ball into the box.

Instantly I realize I can catch the ball so I run out to the 6 yard box, jump up and catch the ball.

Unfortunately one of the Wolfsburg players decided not to jump so the moment I catch the ball I flip upside down then I crash to the ground.

"Son of a bitch." I mumble into the grass as I hear a whistle blow.

"You alright?" Talia asks as someone rests their hand on my back.

"I'm fine." I say then I hear the ref blow her whistle for Halftime.

After the whistle blows I get up from the ground, grab my water bottle and my towel, then I head to the locker room.

Once in the locker room my water bottle is taken from me so it can be refilled then I head to my locker and relax in it while Amaka talks.

When Amaka finishes her spiel I get handed my water bottle then we all head back onto the field.

Once on the field I run to my goal, hang my towel on the net, put my water bottle outside the goal, then I watch as Wolfsburg kick off the second half.

The next 45 minutes are the most boring 45 minutes of football I've ever been a part of.

Wolfsburg don't get a shot off so I basically just stand in goal.

The only part of the game that's not boring is when Talia scores the only three goals of the game.

Talia's too fucking good.

I'm so glad I never have to play against her.

"Fucking finally." I mumble when the full time whistle blows signaling we win 3-0.

After the whistle blows I take off my gloves, put them in my waist band, then I grab my water bottle and towel from the goal.

As I'm getting my water bottle and towel from the goal, I feel wet noses on the back of my legs causing me to turn around.

"Hi Puppies." I say then I squat down and love on my service dogs. "Did you two enjoy the game?"

Appa and Socks woof causing me to smile then I stand up and walk up field with my dogs and shake hands with everyone.

While shaking hands, I switch jerseys with Lena Oberdorf.

After I switch shirts, I walk up to my best friend on the team.

"I feel like this is the same thing that happened in the first Wolfsburg game." I say.

"So this feel like déjà vu to you too?" Talia asks.

"Yeah." I say. "Yeah it does."