England can create memories at Euro 2017, says Mark Sampson
Monday 6 March 2017 10:58, UK
England Women manager Mark Sampson has told the Lionesses they can create unforgettable memories at Euro 2017 this summer.
A stunning 1-0 victory over world champions the United States in New Jersey on Saturday night was England's first win of the year.
Defeat to France in their opening game of the SheBelieves Cup had been a setback to England, who led that game with 11 minutes remaining, but beating the mighty US side three days later showed Sampson's team can rise to the big occasions.
They face Germany on Tuesday in Washington DC, the final game of their trip to the invitational tournament.
England have a taste for summer success after finishing third at the 2015 World Cup, and Sampson is eyeing greater feats to come when his team head to Holland in July.
"This is where you want to be, in big tournaments. This is where you make your names," Sampson said.
"We all remember Bobby Moore lifting the World Cup and Gordon Banks making his great save, and David Beckham getting sent off.
"This is your moment to make memories and to make special things happen. And that's what we're going to try to do.
"We want to go to Holland ready to compete and ready to win, and do ourselves proud.
"And the one thing I'm sure about with this team is they'll do themselves justice."
Sampson, a 34-year-old Welshman who has impressively led England for the last three years, will turn his focus to next month's home friendlies against Italy and Austria after the Germany game.
Then Euro 2017 preparation will become all-consuming, and Sampson has told the players in and on the fringes of his squad they cannot afford to take places for granted.
"One thing we've made really clear is what the standards are that are expected of an England player," Sampson told Press Association Sport.
"And every single player who's pushing for selection knows what barrier they've got to hit to be considered, and once they hit that barrier they've got to kick on and do better, and we want to see players getting better.
"We want to see continual improvement, we want to see a desire to learn and a work ethic you can smell because they're working so hard to get better."
