Wait For Me

1 - Final Moments

August 2021 - Kashima, Japan

"We only have one chance. I know you will be feeling the nerves, but I want you to go into this game cool and collected. We have played Australia before, and sure they are a tough opponent but it is nothing that we aren't capable of. Don't make unnecessary mistake, be rational and simply think of what's achievable. I expect a good result, we can definitely progress to the semis, so let's give it out all" Hege Riise, GB's Olympic coach urged us in the locker room as we prepared for the quarterfinal match against Australia. "Ellen, Lex, Rach - we are all depending on you to finish all the chances you get and pick up your game today. The rest of you, remain tight and focused at the back, no penalties, no own goals, and give them a hard fucking time!"

The pressure was immense, as much as I tried to tell myself it wasn't. It was my first Olympics, my first Olympic quarterfinal and one of the most important matches that I would have to play throughout my whole career. Sure it wasn't a World Cup or the Euros, but it was the first major tournament I had played in, representing my country on the biggest stage.

Hege left the team a few minutes before we were set to make our way onto the pitch, and everyone went on with their own pregame routine. It was quiet in the locker room, only a few hushed conversations taking place. The calm before the storm.

"You alright Lexa?" Kim Little, one of my earliest mentors and soon-to-be teammate asked me. I had always looked up to her immensely ever since my first stint at Arsenal and now that I was returning, I was ecstatic for her to provide wise advice once more. She was one of the captains of the GB Olympic Team, with her maturity and kindness bringing no doubt to her position.

"Yeah, I'm okay." I responded, hearing my phone ding with the designated ringtone I had set up a while ago. Why would she be texting me right now?

"You sure? You look a bit worried, or confused." Kim replied, lowering her gaze to my phone, before searching my eyes for an explanation.

"Completely sure. It's just Mapi." I answered, quickly checking the message.

Mapi

Good luck today. You will be great. Cheering for you. Diviértete!

Gracias, means a lot :)

I sent a message back swiftly, before looking back up at Kim. "What about you? How are you feeling?"

"Ready." She said back simply, "I'm going to go check on the others." I nodded at her, and she gave me a thumbs up before going over to Keira on the opposite side of the room, presumably to discuss some of their midfield tactics.

Mapi's message left me puzzled - it had been a while since we'd spoken. We broke up in April, but I guess you could say we ended on good terms. had just gotten the confirmation that I would be returning to Arsenal, and we got into a massive argument, about everything really. With my constantly irritable mood along with my Mum's cancer diagnosis and the stress from the sudden transfer, our relationship felt much more strained that both of us would've liked, and we both knew we needed to end things. However, I knew I wasn't over her yet, so the simple 'good luck' message did something to my heart.

Regardless, my focus shifted to Australia. They had a great overall squad, completed by their star striker Sam Kerr, and the team knew that beating them would certainly be a challenge. But once the match began, we definitely realised that we were underprepared for the level of physicality and aggression that they would play with. Possession in the first few minutes was very back and forth, with a lot of fouling and offside calls.