Mark Sampson has challenged his England side to build on their success at Canada 2015 by winning the next European Championship. The Lionesses open their Netherlands 2017 qualifying campaign on Monday night when they face Estonia in Tallinn. It is the first game England have played since they beat Germany in Edmonton in the World Cup third-place play-off.
That achievement not only captured countless hearts and minds but ensured England were the highest-placed European nation in Canada. Sampson believes they can finish top of the continental pile again in two years’ time but remains well aware that this will necessitate technical and tactical improvement as well as demanding exceptional dedication.
“The team have set a target and we want to win the tournament,” Sampson said. “But we know if Euro 2017 was played tomorrow we certainly wouldn’t be favourites and it would be very difficult for us to win it. But we have a two-year process to get us there.”
He accepts England’s principal rivals will almost certainly have similar plans in place. “I’m sure there are six or seven teams who are saying they can win it,” he said.
The squad he named for the Estonia game showed seven changes from the one that flew back from Edmonton in July while injuries dictated only 16 fit outfield players were on the flight to Tallinn.
While the sidelined Lucy Bronze, Claire Rafferty, Toni Duggan, Alex Scott and Siobhan Chamberlain are all likely to be missedon Monday, Sampson’s decision not to call Beth Mead into his party has created controversy in Women’s Super League circles. The young Sunderland striker is the League’s top scorer but, although she has trained with the squad, the coach has opted to delay her international debut.
“We have to look at the bigger picture,” said Sampson. “Beth has had a fantastic season but there’s still a bit for her to do. We certainly see a huge amount of potential, though.”
The Manchester City midfielder Isobel Christiansen has received a first call-up for this opening fixture in a group also featuring Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium and Serbia. Amy Turner, Demi Stokes and Jess Clarke, who all failed to make the cut for Canada 2015, are back in the squad.
Keith Boanas, Estonia’s English manager, suspects the visiting changes are unlikely to swing things his way. “If we beat England it would be the biggest shock in women’s football ever,” said Boanas whose players are mostly amateurs. “England will win this group. I’m absolutely confident of that.”
