Fran Kirby has revealed that the Lionesses players felt relieved to begin Women’s EURO 2022 with a win after playing a starring role in England’s 1-0 triumph over Austria at Old Trafford.
The Chelsea forward started the tournament’s opening game in a central attacking midfield role and provided the assist for the only goal of the night, which was scored by Arsenal’s Beth Mead.
The Lionesses could have won the match more convincingly, but Kirby has insisted that the most important thing was to register their first three points in Group A and in turn ease some of the pressure on the team.
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She said: “It's funny, we were talking earlier, we were saying we’ve been together for a long time but when it comes around it's like, ‘Oh my god, it's finally here’.
“I think it’s a weight off our shoulders, but no game is going to be easy in this competition. People were talking about England were going to be favourites going into it, but you come up against a strong Austrian side and it’s not a walk in the park.
“No one’s going to give us this trophy, no one wants us to win it at home, everyone has that added fuel to beat us because we are at home.
“We have to take each game as it comes, and make sure we’re ready to go at any game, and it's another tough game coming up against Norway.”
The noise inside Old Trafford before, during and after the match was something to behold. Over 68,000 supporters inside the stadium created a unique atmosphere for the players, and in the process set a new record attendance for the Women's Euros - smashing the previous best by over 20,000.
“It was incredible,” Kirby said. “When we came out for the warm-up, it was really, really special. You come out to the line-up and everyone's singing the national anthem. Then the whistle blows and it's straight down to business.
“But it was a moment I won't forget for a long time and my family and friends were in the audience as well so you can't ask for much better than that.
“For us our priority is to win the tournament and to also show young boys and young girls that these things are achievable, to play in front of 70,000 people at Old Trafford.
“When I was growing up, I never even imagined that was possible. For me I think anything that’s going to help grow the game in this country and all over the world, I think it’s a positive thing regardless of whether we win or whether we don’t.”
It has been a difficult year for Kirby so far, but having overcome the fatigue and exhaustion issues which saw her miss the final four months of the Women’s Super League season, she believes she is working towards her peak level.
The 29-year-old stated: “I'm feeling really good. Each game I've come into, I feel my performance has grown. It takes some time to get used to the level of international football again.
“Obviously before Christmas I was playing some of my best football so I'm just trying to concentrate on how I was playing then and hopefully bring it in, but I still know my performance isn't at the level I want it to be even though I felt good today.
“I want to keep building it; I'd rather peak at the final than in the first game.
“It takes a bit of time. For me, at Chelsea, I have the freedom to roam a little bit, but at international level, it's different: you have to stay structured, you have to stay in your position.
“You have some amazing players around you who can create those moments. But I'm getting it. I'm understanding it a bit more. I think before I'd get a bit frustrated playing in one position all the time but I'm learning a lot about the role, and learning what's required of me.
“I'm just enjoying it and trying to get on the ball as much as I can.”
