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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Hannah Pinnock & Megan Feringa

How England's Lionesses are relaxing on much-deserved breaks ahead of Women's World Cup

The Lionesses face a huge summer with the Women’s World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, just over a month away, but they are making sure they get some well earned rest before the trip Down Under.

It can feel like a whirlwind of a year since Sarina Wiegman ’s squad hoisted the Euro2022 trophy high into the air following their victory over Germany at Wembley Stadium, but already the team are gearing up for their biggest test yet as they bid to bring home a first-ever Women’s World Cup title.

And the European champions are ensuring they keep themselves well rested ahead of the summer’s showpiece event after an exhausting and historic domestic season, jetting across the world in search of sunshine and relaxation.

Wiegman announced her 23-player squad earlier this month and the team are set to meet up at the end of June as they prepare for their first group stage match against Haiti.

And the Mirror takes a look what some of the Lionesses stars are up to in the lead up to Australia and New Zealand.

Rachel Daly

The WSL top-goalscorer is relishing the form of her life after a season in which she notched 22 league goals. The Aston Villa star is necessarily finding the time to relax ahead of a World Cup in which she will likely play a big role in the absence of star striker Beth Mead.

And prior to linking up with her England teammates, Daly is enjoying time in the sunshine of Greece, lounging on yachts, zooming through the Kos countryside on a quad bike and showing off her fashion sense (and wit) in her Instagram posts.

Lauren Hemp

It takes conscious reminding that the England star is only 22 years old, what with her 37 caps for country, 10 goals and 17 assists but such is the luxury of talent coming through the Lionesses ranks.

The Manchester City forward didn't have the most prolific of seasons (she registered just four goals and three assists in the WSL) but a relaxing holiday in Hvar, Croatia with City goalkeeper Sandy MacIver could be just the tonic needed ahead of the summer.

The duo snapped plenty of smiley photos, with Hemp looking particularly serene as she laid back in the crystal blue water.

Chloe Kelly

The Euro2022 star will have plenty of hype to live up to following her heroics last summer, with the 25-year-old forward's celebration immediately becoming a collector's item. Kelly endured a busy season with Manchester City, chasing down the league's top three sides as she registered five goals and nine assists.

And before a massive summer, the Lioness has stepped away from the football pitch to take in some holiday time with her partner at the beach, soaking up some Vitamin D in a yellow bucket hat.

Alex Greenwood

Greenwood has often felt like the definition of cool in the England shirt and her Instagram posts are showcasing that the vibe is not confined to the football pitch. The Manchester City left-back has jetted off to Ibiza with her partner and is enjoying plenty of sunshine and cool vibes for everyone, showing off some stunning dresses in the process and posing for photos in bucket hats with Liverpool's Missy Bo Kearns, who was unfortunate to miss out of Wiegman's squad.

But you can only keep the 29-year-old from football for so long. Greenwood shared some Insta stories of her at NAS Sports Complex still working on her game ahead of the World Cup in what can only make Lionesses fans more eager for the event to begin.

Laura Coombs

Being away from football doesn't mean you have to keep yourself away from other footballers. The Manchester City star flew off to Ibiza to enjoy some time away from the pitch with her fellow players, including former Liverpool player Ashley Hodson, Birmingham City's Martha Harris and Real Madrid's Caroline Weir to make for a star-studded crew that anyone would be envious of.

The 32-year-old will be one of England's crucial veteran players at this year's World Cup and will be keen to finish off her Lionesses tenure with another historic trophy lift.

The Lionesses will play one final match in front of fans against Portugal on July 1 at Stadium MK before heading out to Australia, and then play another match behind closed doors against Canada while out there.

Their first group stage game is on July 22 against Haiti with a 9.30am UK-time kick-off.

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