England are set for their toughest test yet at the Women’s World Cup when they meet co-hosts Australia for a place in the final.
Sarina Wiegman’s side came from behind to beat Colombia hours after the Matildas edged past France in an incredible penalty shootout and tomorrow (Wednesday, August 16) the Lionesses will take to the pitch to try to boot out the co-hosts in front of their home crowd.
Kick-off is at 11am, with the match being held at the Accor Stadium in Sydney, Australia. The winners will face Spain in the final, after they saw off fellow semi-finalists Sweden with a 2-1 win.
Olga Carmona was Spain’s hero as the defender fired her country into their first Women’s World Cup final after a rollercoaster victory over Sweden this morning.
What had been a cagey affair in Auckland came to life in the final 10 minutes, with teenager Salma Paralluelo breaking the deadlock, only for Sweden to hit back through substitute Rebecka Blomqvist. However, with the game headed for extra-time, Spain restored their lead immediately, Carmona firing in from long range to earn a 2-1 win and break Swedish hearts once more.
England’s team are known as the Lionesses and Australia’s are known as the Matildas — but why? And where do the nicknames come from?
England — Lionesses
“Three lions on the shirt,” is the song, and also the emblem of England Football.
The name Lionesses helped to differentiate the men’s team from the women’s back in 2012, with the hashtag #Lionesses used when the women’s team played in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2013 qualifier, while the men’s team played in the UEFA 2012 Euro.
Since then it has caught on, and the England women’s team is known for the nickname around the world.
Australia — Matildas
The Australian nickname was voted on and decided by the nation, so was one which caught on well. The name originally comes from the popular iconic Australian folksong Waltzing Matilda, but they were previously known as the Female Socceroos.
A new nickname for the women’s team was sought before their first Women’s World Cup campaign in 1995, and the Australian Women’s Soccer Association held a competition in which fans were asked to pick a new name from the following: Soccertoos, Blue Flyers, Waratehs, Matildas, and Lorikeets.
Fans opted for the Matildas and it has stuck ever since.
Spain — La Furia Roja
Meaning ‘The Red Fury’, the females share the same nickname with the men’s team, which is believed to have been a nickname which arose from the country’s newspapers after consistent quality in getting through big competitions.
It is also arisen as a direct comparison to the country’s national flag, which is predominantly red.
Sweden — Blagult
Sweden today (Tuesday, August 15) were knocked out of the World Cup after being beaten by Spain 2-1 in the semi-final, but the last team to make the final four in this year’s competition is known as “Blagult”.
This directly translates to mean “The yellow and blues” — which are the exact colours of the country’s flag and team colours.
