"I still look back on 2019 and the semi-final was a huge performance and I think we sometimes as coaches don't recognise the emotional tank plus the physical tank that is emptied in such occasions, said Mitchell. We possibly in 2019 didn't deal with the emotional tank, refill it well enough. The way we have prepared this week is we have made sure we [were off for] a couple of days after the semi-final performance [against France] to be able to come in"
"What has been really good about this tournament is to create the normal and easy because it is at home. Once you get into the tournament it doesn't allow for that, the normal and easy comes through opportunities and pockets of where you can get home. I think we have done that well, which has allowed the girls and staff to come back in to get after their next week."
Experience from a previous men's World Cup campaign prompted recognition that big knockout matches can drain both emotional and physical reserves. The team scheduled brief time off after the semi-final win to replenish energy and re-establish focus on the weekend game plan. Playing at home has enabled routines and familiar comforts that create pockets of normality during the tournament. An unchanged matchday 23 reflects selection continuity. Squad management emphasized defined roles for non-playing members to strengthen the group and maintain collective readiness for the final.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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