In a few short years, striker Michelle Agyemang went from a Balmeisje at Wembley to scoring vital goals for England that will dispute the final of the European Championship of the Ladies on Sunday, while leading the indictment for young players in Switzerland.
The 19-year-old came from the bank to score two crucial equalizers in the knockout phase against Sweden and Italy who helped them in the decision maker against Spain, play with a youthful freedom and Swagger who relieved the competition.
“What a tournament from Michelle, especially a few months ago with the seniors come in … What a great player, what a bright future she has,” said England -defender Lucy Bronze.
“She is a bit of the unknown and she brings something else … I think it gives her a lot of confidence and the team gives her a lot of freedom,” Bronze added.
Unsfidded by expectations, young players such as Agyemang can play freely, but there is still busy, where the Norway -Signe Gaupset Reuters says that playing with Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen gets used to.
“They were like my idols when I was young, and it is really cool to play with them in the national team and look at them at. What they do is so great, (show us) how to be a professional athlete, everything they do to be as good as possible,” Gaupset said.
The 20-year-old Gaupset was one of the breakout stars in the group phase, scored two goals and created two more when her Iceland side defeated her last group game in the starting team for their quarterfinals against Italy, that she lost with a last-minute goal.
Although it was only 21, Smilla Vallotto from Switzerland has already collected 27 caps for her country, most of them in the midfield engine room, where she has had a lot of support from more senior players.
“Lia Waelti means a lot to me, she helps me both on and outside the field, she is always there to discuss different situations, but also to just talk about life. She is 100% someone who has been important to me in this championship,” she said Reuters.
Vallotto, who makes a switch from the Swedish club Hammarby to German side VfL Wolfsburg, said she had learned a lot in the course of her first major tournament.
“The international football level is a bit different than playing in Hammarby, but I had a very good season in Sweden and I played in Europe, so I feel very comfortable there,” she said.
Whether she starts the final on Sunday at the front or on the couch, Agyemang will enjoy similar support in the English team.
“I think she is quality. I think what she brings, she is a nightmare to play against,” said England and Arsenal defender Leah Williamson.
“I am happy that she is my teammate at Club and Country. She deserves her flowers. I hope she gets them … I hope she is ready to go on the weekend.”