It's Sunday, so that means an update. Hope you guys have a great week. Enjoy ☺️
Keira's POV:
From the moment the Spain game started it was tough. I couldn't get into the game, because Bonmati was the magician in midfield for this game. But we knew going into this game that Spain would hold a lot of possession, so we didn't give up.
We thought we had gotten the first goal of the game when Ellen's shot hit the back of the net, but it was called offside because of Lucy being offside in the build-up. I sent Lucy a smile, telling her it was ok. She nodded and ran back to her spot.
We went into halftime 0-0. We all rallied together and cheered in the changing room, to brighten the atmosphere. Back into the second half and both teams were fighting for a goal to put themselves ahead. It was in the 54th minute when we conceded our first goal of the tournament when Esther Gonzalez rocketed a ball past Mary. But that didn't stop us. We ran back and started the game again. Our determination to score a goal came when Toone and Russo came on and in the last 6 minutes of regular time, Tooney shot Russo's knockdown straight into the back of the net. The stadium roared and we all ran to celebrate with Tooney. Once the full time whistle blew, I could feel the cramps in my legs and I hobbled to the sidelines. I leaned against Lucy, trying to gain some composure. With the cramps in my legs I knew it was nearly time for someone to substitute me, but I knew I could hold out a little longer. As Sarina went through our game plan she looked around at all of us who had been on the pitch and asked each of us our readiness to play. As us girls who were going back on the pitch for extra time, I turned to G and said "take a shot G". G nodded and hurried onto the pitch.
In the 116th minute I subbed off and let Jill take my spot. As I watched from the bench, I watched as Georgia raced down and took a shot at goal from outside the box. It felt like forever till the ball hit the back of the net. The stadium lit up with life and G ran around the pitch celebrating. I could feel it, we were through, even though there was still time left in extra time, I could feel we were going to the semifinals.
And my wish came through when the whistle blew and I ran onto the pitch with the rest of the subs and leaped onto G. She hugged me tight and then I got down and decided then and there to race over to Lucy and jump into her arms. "You're gonna have to say sorry to your new teammates", I told her as I leaned my head down into her neck. "I'm gonna get the girls, want to come with me", Lucy said to as she let me down. I nodded and we started making our way to the girls. I chuckled at Charlie who was screaming and jumping up and down. Lucy jumped the barrier and helped me over. Charlie rushed to the barrier and leaned over wrapping me in a hug. I lifted her up and settled her on my hip. "We're into the semis Mum", she squealed looking at me. I nodded and smiled. She tightly hugged me. I watched Lucy take Ellie from my mum and tickled her. I leaned over with Charlie still in my arms to hug our families as they congratulated both me and Lucy. Lucy nudged me and nodded towards the pitch. We said our goodbyes to our families and I took Charlie's backpack. I somehow managed to get over the barrier with Charlie in my arms still. Once we were on the pitch, Charlie wriggled to get down and ran over to G and jumping on her back. I watched as G ran around somehow with Charlie bouncing on her back. Lucy came over to me and said "Ellie wants you", I turned around and took Ellie from her arms. Ellie cuddled her head into the crook of my neck. "Hi baby girl", I muttered, as I gently took off her ear defenders. She held a hand up to her ears. I placed her head on my chest and with the other hand I covered one of her ears. Lucy looked over at us and then said "I better go say sorry", I chuckled and decided I'd go with her. "Charlie !!", Lucy yelled across the pitch. Charlie looked around and raced over to us. "Do you still want Mapi's jersey ?", Lucy asked. Charlie started jumping up and down and clung to Lucy's arm. "Yesssssss!!!!", Charlie screamed. Lucy grinned and began leading us over to a few Spanish players. "Hola", she said, gaining their attention. "I'm sorry", she continued. "Don't be sorry, it was a very good game", Laia spoke up, and the other girls nodded their heads in agreement. Charlie nudged Lucy and Lucy grinned and turned to Mapi, "Charlotte was wondering if you and I could swap jerseys", Charlie looked up at Mapi and produced the puppy eyes. Mapi grinned and took off her jersey and handed it to Charlie. Lucy took off her jersey and handed it to Mapi. Charlie grinned up at Lucy and wriggled to get it on, and I spotted she was wearing Hempo's jersey. She grinned over at Mapi and then Lucy nudged her. "Gracias", Charlie said quietly. Having spotted Charlie's jersey, I gently peeked to see Ellie wearing Chloe's jersey. Lucy spotted me peeking and leaned over "who's she got ?", she asked.
The Spanish girls looked at Lucy weirdly. I chuckled and then thought how am I going to explain this, I don't speak Spanish. Charlie then whipped out her iPad and held up the translator app. We all chuckled. I told them about the 2 girls supporting one of our teammates each game and everyone likes to ask and beg them to wear theirs. The translator produced what it was in Spanish and all the girls smiled. "Have they worn you ?", Laia asked curiously. Lucy thought for a second before turning to Charlie and replying "come to think of it no they have not, what's that about Charlotte ?". Charlie chuckled and then replied "no one really knows who Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh are, I didn't wanna bother". Lucy gasped and pulled Charlie into her tickling her. I faked looking hurt and Ellie looked up and wrapped her arms back around my neck and said "no sad mama". I smiled and replied "no mama isn't sad, Lottie is being cheeky". Ellie looked up and over at Charlie and replied "no Lottie, no sad mama". We all chuckled at her giving out to Charlie. The Spanish girls cooed at Ellie and Aitana turned to me and asked "how old ?", I replied "she is 2 in 11 days". I was nervous speaking to Aitana because she is a magician of a player. Lucy saw me being nervous and let out a little chuckle to herself.
We looked around the pitch to discover we were the last ones on it. We said our goodbyes and headed into the changing room. Ellie was slowly falling asleep in my arms but as soon as I went to hand her over to Lucy who was just out of the shower, she started crying. Lucy just took her and waved me off to the shower quickly. While I was as quick as I could in the shower I could hear Ellie's cries. I hurried up and the minute I came out of the shower I took Ellie back, and even though I struggled to get changed with her holding on tight to me, I was glad the crying had subsided.
It was times like these I felt bad for the rest of the team, with Ellie screaming her head off, while the girls just wanted to celebrate getting to the semis. Even though the girls said it was fine, I still felt bad nonetheless.
Once I had gotten dressed and calmed Ellie down. I went over to Lucy with my stuff, which she instantly took from my hands and placed in her cubby. I turned to her and nervously asked "do you think you could get Bonmati's shirt for me ?". Lucy grinned and replied "if that makes you smile, I will do it a thousand times". I smiled and Lucy smiled even wider. "Muuuummmm, you're so weird", we both heard as we whipped our heads around to spot Charlie leaning against Alex, with a face of disgust. We both chuckled and Lucy leaned in and gave me a kiss. She looked down at Ellie and sighed at the sight of the dummy. "After the Euros, we gotta try again with kicking that thing", I nodded and then nudged her to the door. She got the message and raced out and came back less than 10 minutes later with Bonmati's shirt in her hand. I grinned widely. "Here you are", she handed me the jersey with a kiss to my lips and a kiss to Ellie's forehead too.
