Those Blue Eyes

Continental cup final

Today we play the Continental cup final against Chelsea. This is probably our only chance to win silverwear this season since Chelsea are 9 points above us and Man United 6, with this stands it is going to be a challenge but we aren't giving up yet. We are in the bus on our way to the Selhurst park stadium which is were Crystal Palace usually plays their games.
Me and Katie are having a laugh with Jen about slangs in our language. 'What is wrong with bathers?' I ask suprised that they don't call it like that 'Noo just say swimsuits mate' Jen says shaking her head 'Your language isn't always understandable as well' I reply. 'Lets play a game. All of us need to say things in our language and the others need to guess what it is' Katie suggests, Jen and I both agree. I start 'What is a Brolly?' I ask 'Maybe a tent' Katie guesses 'Almost, Jen?' 'Pal I have no idea' She says shaking her head 'It means umbrella' I explain. 'What does jacks mean?' Katie asks 'Something like strong drink, you know from Jack&Daniels' I guess 'No no, your very wrong' Katie says holding in her laughter 'Maybe a coat because it sounds like jackets' Jen says carefull 'No mates it means toilet' Jen and I burst out laughing 'You definitly have the worst language' Jen says inbetween laughs 'Mate I am going to the jacks' I say on a failed irish accent which makes Jen laugh even harder. 'Alright alright Jen you go' Katie says done with us laughing at her 'What does tattie mean?' Jen asks 'Potato!' Beth shouts from the chairs behind us 'Beth..' Jen says dissapointed that she knew it 'How do you know that?' I ask confused never in my life could have guessed that one 'Because Viv is an awkward tattie' This makes everyone laugh and Viv cheeks turn pink 'Alright another then. What does bampot mean?' Jen says 'Is it a dish?' Katie guesses but Jen shakes her head, I think hard and eventually guess 'Bullshit?' 'Close but it means something like stupid or foolish' Jen explains. After some more rounds we eventually decide we all have a weird language sometimes.

We arrive at Selhurst park and I see lots of fans waiting outside the bus. I wave before I enter the stadium and go into the changingroom. We have a quick pitch check before our last meeting.
'The final' Jonas starts his speech 'You might think there is more pressure, more responsibility but I don't want you to think like that' he says as he walks around in the changingroom 'We go into this game like any other, we play like we do best, high pressure. Don't give them a change to play their game' Jonas finishes and we go out for warm up. Stretching and warming up the muscles, passing the ball and finishing on goal. We get back inside and Jonas shows us the line up again, which has changed a little, when we dress into our kit:

1. Manuela Zinsberger
3. Lotte Wobben-moy
6. Leah Williamson
7. Steph Catley
8. Y/n y/l/n
9. Beth Mead
10. Kim Little
13. Lia Walti
15. Katie McCabe
19. Caitlin Foord
23. Alessia Russo

Viv is starting on the bench because she didn't felt 100% during warm up so Russo is starting. Kim gives a little motivation speech before we go stand in the tunnel 'We start with high pressure from the first minute, we have every ball, every tackle, and we have eachothers back the whole game until the final whistle' 'Come on!' I shout 'Lifting this trophy in 90 minutes' Katie shouts as we go stand in line next to our mascots. The refs start walking out so we follow, the crowd start cheering and fireworks goes off when we enter the pitch. We shake hands with the Chelsea players wishing them a good game before going into our own position.

Game starts:
4' The game isn't long underway and Chelsea have already created multiple chances. We are giving them to much space between our lines which they use. Guro Reiten passes the ball to Sam Kerr who heads it in easy. Arsenal 0 - 1 Chelsea. Not even 5 minutes have passed.

12' After the first goal we have gathered ourselves, leaving less space between the lines and defence has been doing good work. The only problem is that Chelsea is doing an amazing job in keeping us in the midfield and not close to their goal.