ENGLAND READY TO FACE THE HEAT iN ANNAPOLIS
ENGLAND'S women face a daunting prospect this evening in
their opening match of the World Lacrosse Championship in
Annapolis, Maryland.
The national side, bronze medallists four years ago in High
Wycombe, could have not been handed a tougher start, pitted
against hosts and defending champions United States at the
Glenn Warner Soccer Stadium.
But England have already proven they are a match for American
opposition having beaten a host of the country's top touring
teams, on home soil and abroad.
The US are clear favourites to beat England and retain their
crown, but England fancy their chances of an upset in their
match, which follows this year's opening ceremony.
"We are the underdogs, but we prefer it that way,"
Lois Richardson, the England head coach, said.
"It would be the perfect start to the tournament if we
could beat America, but we have three other tough matches,
all of which are just as important."
Indeed, England also play Australia and Canada - this year's
other medal favourites - and Wales, opponents who have not
travelled all the way across the Atlantic Ocean to "make
up the numbers".
So, for the best chance of winning honours, it comes as no
surprise that England are from ill-prepared - quite the opposite
in fact. The last year has been a gruelling test for Richardson's
ladies.
The 24-strong squad, eight of whom are travelling reserves,
have thrown themselves into rigorous personal fitness programmes
and have also spent precious time in heat chambers to help
them adopt to the particularly-punishing 85-degree heat they
will be expected to perform in.
Richardson and her team have already been in the US for a
fortnight, "finding their feet" with scrimmage games.
In ten days time, when the championship concludes on July
2, at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, England hope
to be only the third nation to have lifted the trophy, barring
the US and Australia sine the competition's inception in 1982.
"We can win gold, but our first aim is reaching the quarter-finals,"
said Katy Bennett, the experienced England midfielder.
"After that anyhting can happen!"
- Australia, one of England's opponents, are in turmoil after
eight of their players have been struck with salmonella food
poisoning.
They may be forced to withdraw from the tournament.
England's fixtures: v United States (today); v Australia (Sat
25); v Wales (Sun 26); v Canada (Mon 27).
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