Leah Williamson: The Bond.

Chapter 17: Start of the Euro's and Beth's Mess

This is it. The opening day of the Euros. We play Austria at Old Trafford. This would be my first appearance with England, but surprisingly I wasn't as nervous as I thought. I felt ready. Myself and Beth walked down to breakfast, talking away about the game.

"You excited for your debut?" Beth said.

"I am excited, but I don't expect to play at all. They wouldn't play a newbie on the opening game sure."

Beth laughed at me, "I wouldn't be too sure about that. You never know."

I've never been a morning person. Especially with breakfast. For some reason I just can't stomach it, but today of all days it had to be done. I grabbed a bowl of fruit and a bagel with raspberry jam, sitting with Ella.

Ella turned to look at me. I knew exactly what it would be about.

"Dad would be so proud of us today. I know he's looking down on us."

Not wanting to say too much, because I know I'd start crying, I answered, "He would be Els. He would be."

"Look at us now. Both playing for England in a home Euros? Abby this is the dream!"

I just laughed at her. This was the dream. But it would've been complete if he was here. He isn't though. Jordan quickly snapped me out of my thoughts, as tears started to form in my eyes.

"How you feeling?"

I didn't really know how to answer. There's always a lot of emotions around a debut.

"Um, not too bad actually. I'm not very nervous but it's still a bit scary on such a big stage."

Jordan grabbed my hand, showing me that she was here for me.

"It's going to be scary Abs, that's normal. You'll do so well. If you play, score for me will you?"

"If I get on Jords."

I've always been really superstitious, and being late was my worst fear. Beth was running round the room, looking for her shin pads while my bag was packed early yesterday morning. Im just too scared to forget anything. I'd say my main superstition is having my shin pads on the wrong legs. I didn't notice it until after we won, on my debut for City, and I knew I couldn't change it.

"ABBY!" Beth screamed in my face, pulling me out of the trance I was in.

"Can you help me find my training top? I don't know where it is."

I love Beth, she is an amazing person, but for the love of god I hope I don't room with her again.

"It's on the radiator by the chair Bet-"

"I've looked there, it isn't!"

I let out a big sigh. I know it's there, I watched her hang it up yesterday.

"Check again Beth. I promise it's there. You did it yesterday, remember?"

Beth trailed over to the radiator. "Sorry for shouting, I was just getting a bit stressed."

The bus left St George's Park at 12:15. I was one of the first ones down, nearly 20 minutes early. I was about to put my headphones in, getting in the zone but I was interrupted.

"Can I sit here?", a timid voice said to me. I looked up to see Leah standing there, her phone in one hand, and a bottle of water in the other. I patted the seat next to me, indicating her to sit down.

"You feeling okay Leah?" I heard her take a deep breath.

"I'm so scared Abby. This is such a big occasion. What if I mess things up?"

"Leah there's nothing you can do to mess this up. We're all ready, we just have to go out there and play as a team."

Leah just grabbed my hand. It must be hard on her, being such a young captain for a home Euros. I couldn't do it.

Leah and I shared earphones, ABBA belting through our ears. I can't deny that I got on really well with Leah. We did have a connection. But that's not what I need to be thinking about right now. As we got close to Old Trafford, you could hear Ella getting so excited. It's even more special for her as that's her home club. That's what she knows. I'm really happy for her. The crowds though gathered outside the stadium were massive. None of us, even the more experienced players, have seen crowds that big so far away from kick off. Looking back on it, I think that confidence from the fans made us play better. It's true, the fans really are the 12th player.

Leah was on the playlist for the changing rooms once again, she could just read the room so well. Sarina pulled me aside just before we entered the changing rooms.

"Abby I just wanted to let you know that I do aim to give you game time today. Depending on how the game goes, it'll be after the first half at least."

I smiled and thanked Sarina for letting me know. Now I am starting to get nervous.

My last core memory that I remember fully is walking out of the tunnel. Looking round, seeing the magnitude of the crowd was incredible, almost like a fever dream. I took my place on the bench, and stood singing the national anthem. Magical.

The game was a slow one. Both teams were finding their feet against each other in the opening 20 minutes. Beth had a few shots but Austria's keeper, Zinsberger knew Beth's shots well. Half time came around and it was 0-0. Sarina was giving her half time talk.

"Girls we need more intensity. They're reading us too well. Passing through midfield needs to be intensified too, quick ball up to our forwards. Abby, you're coming on for Ellen, and Ella you're coming on for Fran. Okay?"

I looked over to meet Ella's eyes. We were both grinning at each other. Coming on at the same time for such a big occasion made me feel less scared. Don't get me wrong I am still petrified but doing it with Ella comforts me.

"Ella from you I want that quick ball. I'm hoping the connection and intuition between you and Abby will speed the game up. Abby, Zinsberger doesn't know you're shots as well. Rattle the defence. I know you can carve them out."

Walking back out onto the pitch, I felt a hand down my back. I turned to see Jordan, heading to the bench.

"You will do so well. I'm already so proud of you. Score that goal for me."

I gave Jordan a quick hug, before running onto the pitch. This was it. The moment I have been waiting for. I kissed the tape on my wrist that read 'Dad'. Leah saw me to this and kissed it too. It made me stop in my tracks and smile. I could cry but I wasn't going to let my emotions take over.

The Austrians were definitely rattled by such a quick half time change in the midfield and forwards. The game started slow once again. Millie stole the ball from one of the Austrian forwards, passing it through to Ella. Without speaking, she knew to pass it down the left wing to me. She passed it a split second before I made my run, making the defender on me second guess. I was too far ahead for her to catch me. I knew from watching Zinsberger that her top right was the weakest save. I hit the ball, aiming for the top right. It felt like minutes passed waiting for the ball to hit the net. It hit the back of the net smoothly. SCORE. I ran to the corner post before jumping in the air and kissing my wrist. I felt a number of body's on my back.

"GET IN ABS!" Ella screamed.  

"I knew you could do it Abs!" Leah said quietly in my ear. Walking back into formation, I looked over and locked eyes with Jordan. All I had to do was point to her. She knew.

I couldn't have predicted my debut to be so magical.