Football: Berwick-born Lucy Bronze helps England's Lionesses roar to World Cup final
Last updated 16th Aug 2023
England’s women footballers have made it through to their first ever World Cup final after beating hosts Australia 3-1 in the semi-final at the Olympic Stadium in Sydney.
The Lionesses - who include Berwick's Lucy Bronze - now face Spain at the same ground on Sunday.
Speaking after the match, Bronze, who was raised on Holy Island and went to The Duchess’s Community High School in Alnwick, said: "This is the one thing I've always wanted, to make the final of the World Cup. And, after two times of (trying), I honestly can't believe it."
The right-back, who plays for Barcelona, was recently named the "most influential" Lioness in a new study, which looked at how many followers each of the team has on Instagram.
And last year she was part of the England team which was crowned European champions.
Bronze added: "We all dreamed of being in the (World Cup) final, and our family and friends have booked to stay here until the final because they all believed in us; and to have everybody here and all the supporters has been unbelievable."
The Northumberland star is being tipped to go "all the way" and lift the trophy by one of the head teachers at her former school, which has revealed it's re-naming its sports hall after her.
James Wilson, co-head at The Duchess’s Community High in Alnwick, told Greatest Hits Radio: "From September, we're doing a redesign of the entrance to put her name up above the sports hall. Also, we have a kind of foyer into the sports hall which will have all her successes and quotes over the years, as she's followed her dreams, and tried to achieve what many deemed to be the impossible. But she's definitely making the impossible possible.
"For us, Lucy's inspiration is if you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything. She is heralded as a real hero here. And win, lose or draw on Sunday, Lucy will always go down as a bit of a legend in these parts."
But he added: "I think she will go all the way. I think the England girls are on a high, and we wish them all the very best of luck this Sunday."
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