England defender, Lucy Bronze admitted that the Lionesses “don’t do things the easy way,” after their extra-time semi-final victory over Italy.
Chloe Kelly scored the 119th-minute winner on the rebound after Laura Giulliani blocked her penalty following Emma Severini’s foul on Beth Mead.
England however had stared the end of their title defence down a barrel after Barbara Bonansea put Italy ahead in the 33rd minute from Bronze’s glanced clearance, before substitute, Michelle Agyemang struck in the sixth minute of injury time to restore parity.
Bronze post-match praised her team for their gutsy fighting spirit throughout this tournament as she admitted that they don’t like smooth results aside from victories over Netherlands and Wales in the Group Stage, before they beat Sweden on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the Quarter-Finals.
“We don’t do things the easy way, it seems this tournament, but we find a way to win, whether that is I think it was the 96th minute and then the 118th minute, we just found a way to get the goals and get the ball in the back of the net,” reflected Bronze as she spoke of the team’s resilience.
“Obviously we showed it in the last game and then Italy played a good game in the first half. We probably weren’t at our best, but we showed a lot of resilience and fight to get back into the game like we have done in so many games this tournament.
“I think the fight, the talent, everything, the hard work we have in this England team is unbelievable and to get to back to European finals is not an easy feat, not many teams have done that.”
Bronze however described the Lionesses’ first-half display as “lethargic” with their one-goal deficit not easy to handle mentally.
“I think we looked a little bit lethargic once we got going and then obviously, they got a goal and I think being 1-0 down in a semi-final isn’t easy mentally to take when you know that we could have scored maybe, and we were probably on top for parts of the first half,” before settling in the second half.
“But once we settled into the game, even in extra time you saw us possess the ball and start to create chances.”
Manager, Sarina Wiegman rarely tinkers with her starting line-up in major tournaments except when necessary which Bronze believes puts more emphasis on the substitutes’ impact off the bench.
“I think you’ve seen it is so many tournaments with England now, how the subs make such an impact,” continued the 33-year-old. “We talk about the importance of the squad and the importance of the team and everyone being ready.
“I know we don’t make many changes to the starting XI, but I think the people who come on make a massive difference.
“They are fresh legs, they add enthusiasm, tenaciousness, and they are the ones who are getting us goals and getting us to the final.”
England now await Germany or Spain in the final in Basel, Switzerland on Sunday 27 July (5pm BST kick-off), but Bronze is excited to face either opposition in the showpiece.
“Germany the fight they have shown in their last two games, and obviously Spain play fantastic football. It is either a rematch of the World Cup final or the EUROs football, so either way it is going to be a fantastic game tomorrow and an amazing final.”
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