I'm so sorry for the late update, I'm currently away, and I'm in a different time zone than usual, so apologies about that. Anyway here is the update if the week and as usual let me know what you guys think 🥰.
Lucy's POV:
Once the game began, I knew it was going to be a good game. We applied pressure from the get go with Hempo sending a left cross into the box that was just a bit too high for Ellen to get on the end of. 6 minutes later Georgia made a confident run but didn't make the net until a minute later when Meado whipped a goal into the back of the net, sending the crowd wild. But the crowd was quietened when VAR was brought in to see if the ball had actually gone over the line, which paused Meados celebrations, before the referee confirmed it was indeed a goal.
Back to the game after the goal celebration saw a quick pass from Fran to Hempo, nearly saw Ellen score her 51st goal for her Lionesses career, but unfortunately her header went wide. We displayed some great build-up play that saw Austria struggling to defend, but Hanshaw made an attempt in the 43rd minute, but the ball went over the crossbar and so the score remained 1-0 at halftime.
After halftime, Austria started off stronger than us as Billa almost got a chip past Mary, but thankfully Mary made sure that didn't happen. We had another chance of a goal as Fran shot at goal in the 52nd minute, but unfortunately it didn't finish off in the back of the net. When Less came on for Ellen, she had a chance in the 71st minute, as she was unmarked 6 yards from the goal, but she wasn't able to get a clean strike on the ball to push us even further ahead. When Chloe came on for Meado, our energy boosted again as she bolted down the right wing but fired from too far out, before Dunst gave Mary her first proper save of the night with a good strike on target for Austria. The clock ran out soon after and the final score remained with Meado's goal being the only goal of the game.
Once the final whistle blew, I sighed, knowing we had had good chances, but hadn't been able to put them in the back of the net, which meant we definitely had work to do. As I walked over to Keira, who was talking to Millie and Chloe, I looked around the stadium at the record breaking crowd of 68,871, dancing and singing in delight at our win. Once I reached Keira, I pulled her into a quick hug and then said "I'm going to get the girls, you go with into the changing rooms, have a shower and rest", she looked over at me and replied "are you saying I smell ?", raising her eyebrows at me. "Well you've definitely smelt better", I replied quietly back. My reply rewarded me with a soft punch to my shoulder, before Keira shoved me away and over to the stands to get the girls.
As I was walking over to where I could see Charlie jumping up and down with my brother and Ellie in Keira's mums arms being tickled, fans were calling my name, and calling out for me to take photos with them, and sign their shirts. I walked over to a young girl who had a sign saying 'Bronze is the best', once I was close enough, I asked her "do you want a photo". She eagerly nodded her head and her mum handed me her phone to take a photo with her, once I had taken the photo, she handed me a marker and asked me to sign her jersey. I did that and then asked if she wanted her sign signed too, which she did. Once I said goodbye, I went back on my way over to my family. As I reached them, I saw Leah was also there saying hi to her family, but she also had Ellie in her arms. Once Charlie spotted me, she reached over the barrier, pulling me into a hug. I hugged her tightly back and then once we pulled away I spotted her jersey that said Daly 3 on the back, I lifted her up and over the barrier, so she was stood next to me and I quickly asked her "if you've got Rach's jersey, im assuming Ellie has Millie's ?", Charlie grinned up at me and nodded. I said hello to my family and Keira's. Once Ellie spotted me, she started reaching out for me and Leah passed her over to me. I gave her a gentle hug and glanced down to see that I was right and that she had Bright 6 on the back, Ellie then looked up at me and asked "mama ?", Charlie looked over at me at the mention of Keira. "She's gone to have a shower, you'll see her soon", I explained to them both, and then we hung out with our family as I updated Keira's mum Tracy on Keira's condition. I assured her that I would make sure she would rest and I would let her know if anything changed, before it was time for me and Leah to head inside. We all said our goodbyes and then started walking back to the changing rooms.
Once I opened the changing room door, I spotted Keira gathering up her stuff and I headed over to her with Charlie bouncing in front of me, reaching Keira before me and Ellie did. Once Keira spotted Ellie she said "I think I'm good to take her on the bus, if you want to go near the back with the loud ones", I answered back "it's ok, I'd rather sit with you", as I gathered my stuff for a quick shower. Once I had everything I looked around and spotted Leah, who was quick out of the shower and was in the process of tying up her shoes. I went over and she looked up as I approached her, "can you look after Ellie while I take a shower ?", I asked her. "Yeah, of course", Leah replied back immediately reaching up and taking Ellie out of my grasp, as I headed to the showers.
When everyone was showered and ready to go, we started heading out to the bus. As we came out of the changing rooms I saw all the reporters and mics waiting for us. I looked over at Keira and Charlie, who both looked wrecked and hung back and told Keira, "you go ahead onto the bus with Charlie, don't worry about everyone, just get on the bus", Keira weakly nodded and took Charlie's hand and led her past the reporters, holding out mics in hopes that Keira would stop and talk, but she didn't and I watched as she got onto the bus with Charlie in front of her. Leah stood next to me with Ellie in her arms as we watched to make sure they got on the bus, before I turned to Leah and said "you can take Ellie onto the bus, if you don't want to talk to the reporters", she looked over at me and then replied "no, you go, I've got the reporters, go take care of Kei and the girls". I nodded my head in a thanks and then gently took Ellie from her and fixed her blanket, so that she was cutely bundled up in my arms, with the backpack and my bag on my shoulder. I quickly walked past the reporters and reached the bus, and quickly got on. I instantly spotted Keira and Charlie sat together in the middle of the bus. I walked over to them and stood beside them. We didn't have to wait long for the others as they trickled onto the bus. I took the seat behind Keira and Charlie with Ellie in my arms. When the bus started moving, Keira turned around and said "keep her awake, she still needs her dinner", I nodded my head and then replied "don't worry, I got her", Keira smiled and then turned back around to play a game of cards with Charlie, and I talked to Ellie about what she did during the game.
